Strange tracking on freeway

[Tweaksta]

I've been doing some 600km trips on the freeway lately and have been finding that after about 4 hours when I start to get tired (and about to stop for a coffee) the steering has a feeling as if I'm balancing on a single wheel. It's not a vagueness around the centre - it's more of an unwillingness to stay centred, or a constant state of very minor corrective input to stay straight.

Note I am on the 1" raised kings with 1" lift blocks on them so it's about 2 inches of lift. Plus I'm running 65s instead of 60 series rubber.

Could this be the lack of trailing arm spacers affecting geometry?
Or is it just my rear camber?

(I have some camber bolts somewhere)

 

[Kevin]

Assuming the wheel alignment is correct it could be many things e.g. worn ball joints, tie rod ends, steering rack, rack bushes, wheel bearings. So there are many things that will need checking if not already deemed fit.

 

[jf1sf5]

It could also be tire pressure. Start with the easiest and cheapest.

 

[GreenSuby]

I reckon it probably has more to do with you feeling tired & actually imagining the problems. If there was actually a problem you'd notice it straight away.
The mind can do funny things.
Silverfox

 

[GreenSuby]

I reckon it probably has more to do with you feeling tired & actually imagining the problems. If there was actually a problem you'd notice it straight away.
The mind can do funny things.
Greensuby

 

[NachaLuva]

A couple of things really jump out at me here:

it's more of an unwillingness to stay centred, or a constant state of very minor corrective input to stay straight.

Note I am on the 1" raised kings with 1" lift blocks on them so it's about 2 inches of lift.

This is exactly why I don't like the combination of raised springs & 1" spacers, there's no cam,ber & caster offsets to compensate for the lift, so it throws both out.

Caster is what gives you straight line stability & reduces the tendency to wander, meaning you need fewer corrections to stay in the centre of the lane. This has a major effect on ease of driving. Without it you will get tired far more quickly as you have to concentrate on the steering more.

Caster also increases steering input & returns the steering to centre better. It's very noticeable driving a later model SH or SJ Forester with over 4 deg caster compared to a SF or SG with only 2 deg

Could this be the lack of trailing arm spacers affecting geometry?
Or is it just my rear camber?

(I have some camber bolts somewhere)

Absolutely! For just raised springs (about 1.5" lift) you can get away without trailing arm spacers, but for raised springs plus 1" spacers (about 2.5" lift) you definitely need 2" trailing arm spacers.

Also, with this much lift & no camber bolts in the rear, you will have horrible positive camber. After you fitted the lift, you should have got an alignment. If you did, they must have done a terrible job considering no camber bolts & no traling arm spacers. Whover did it should be sacked! I bet it was a tyre place lol.

Never get an alignment from a tyre retailer unless you know personally that the guy is a qualified & experienced mechanic. They normally have 2 weeks training

Plus I'm running 65s instead of 60 series rubber.

Tyres won't matter

 

[Tweaksta]

Thanks Nachaluva. You confirmed what I suspected.

I can't believe someone tried to tell me I was imagining it. I know my car so well. As if I'd be imagining it lol.

 

[NachaLuva]

A "good" alignment, as opposed to just "in spec", makes such a difference to handling. My last alignment, although in spec, was terrible. Somehow they lost some caster & the car didn't steer properly & was very vague.

Always get an alignment from a specialist suspension shop for our lifted Subies. They cost a little extra but it's so worth it!

 

[Ratbag]

Tweak, when we bought Roo2 the alignment was "in spec", but all 4 wheels were pointing in different directions.

It handled like a canal barge, and pulled to one side when pulling up at lights.

Fixing the alignment made all the difference.

Same with our SH.