plasticsman57

I just purchased my first Corvette, and I LOVE it. I have waited a long time to purchase a Vette, and it was worth the wait.

I do have a problem with it, and I was wondering if someone could provide some ideas of what to check.

I bought a 2002 Coupe, automatic with 36,000 miles, and the car runs fantastic, but I noticed it floating as I change lanes. When I am turning slowly(1-2 miles an hour) in a tight turn if feels like the tires are bumpy and it just doesn't feel right. It is going to need front tires soon, and I was going to get a front end alignment at the same time. I just bought it and have not had a chance to get it checked.

I didn't know if it may be the steering rack, tie rods, or just the tires and the alignment. During driving the steering is sharp and responsive, I only notice this as I mentioned above. Also slowly backing up I hear a popping sound.

Thanks for any help you can provide. Now I know why people buy Corvettes!

Mr.Bill

If the tires are original I would start there seeing you can feel them when turning, The tires should be smooth, There is a date on them on the sidewall. If they are 12 years old replace them for starters and get an alignment and then go from there, Good tires make a world of difference.

Not sure about the popping sound.

bj1k

Sounds like mostly a tire and alignment problem and the popping sometimes is caused by CV joints or u-joints going bad. Have them checked when you go for alignment.

plasticsman57

Thanks for the information, that is what I thought too but thought I would see what others with the Vettes thought.

Thanks again

El original

Firstly, congratulations on your Corvette. Your problems with the front end are probably just tires and a good four wheel tire alignment. Get that done but before having it done talk to the alignment tech and tell him your issues. It is a lot easier to diagnose then. Your Corvette (if was taken care of) has too few miles to be something serious. Good luck, Rob

Vetteman Jack

Congrats on the Vette. For the popping sound, have the axle nut checked on each side. I had a popping noise in the '99 I owned and the dealer found the axle nut was loose. Tightened it and the sound disappeared.

dsmith4229

I had that problem also. Was running to air pressure to low in front tires. Run about 35 psi.
That cured my problem.

oldschoolvette

congrats

tires and align..have them check your suspension

make sure you go to a place that routinely does corvettes

Dagget427

I agree with Vetteman Jack. Have the rear axle nuts checked. Do a search on here on "how to" re-torque them. I had the same problem and it's a very easy fix.

DanSavage

You didn't go into too much detail about the floating when changing lanes, but if the car seems to 'float' when running over the dits dots in the lane markers, then like is said above, I would check the tire inflation.

I notice mine doesn't ride evenly over dits dots if the tires are under-inflated by even a couple of psi.

I've got run-flats on mine and considering the tire construction, this sort of behavior makes sense.

The side walls are fairly stiff and when the tires are under-inflated the center of the tread is soft and cupped toward the rim so this forms a hollow spot in the contact patch.

When running over dits dots the hard side wall has some resistance at first, then when that is overcome, the the falls into the hollow in the center of the tread.

When the tires have proper inflation, then there is a uniform 'stiffness' across the entire tread of the tire.

Louthedog1

Hi Dan,
I am just like you except I am a woman!! At age 50 I bought my first 02 Coupe, and I absolutely love it.. My husband and I now have almost identical Corvettes.. This site has taught me so so much, and the people on here are marvelous. The first thing I did was take my car to a Chevy dealer to have it "inspected". The second thing I did was check the dates on my tires (thanks to the advice in this forum) only to discover my tires were as old as the car!! Once I got new run flat tires (Michelin AS) and had a good alignment and whatever else they do, along with an oil change, my car has developed a better driving personality. Now, my next project is to change out the battery. I say Corvettes are kinda like a boat.. a lot of money in, but a lot of joy out! Congrats on your new baby, you are gonna love love love!

plasticsman57

Hi everyone who offered their help. Thank you very much.

Today I put the new tires on the car and did a front and read alignment. The tech's did hear the popping, but once put up on the rack they could not get the popping to occur.
Everything checked out fine under the car, and they thought I may be in the rack. They suggested continue driving it and monitor it. They said that there is no safety problems and it was good to go.

The tires and alignment did the trick on the floating, etc. It drove perfectly after the new tires and alignment.

Thanks again.

VETJAZZ

Congrats on getting your issues sorted out. (Now I sound like Wheeler Dealers ) The forum strikes again!!

CCA Corvette Parts

Go with Non-Runflats

Also check the shocks to make sure they don't have the packing
blocks still in them.

You'd be surprised

Regards
Chip

plasticsman57

I will check that also.

I have not heard the popping sounds since I got the car back. I don't know if something was not set properly, or if the car just needed driven since it only has 35K on it, and it's an 02. I don't know but the sound is gone for now. I will continue listening for it, to make sure it doesn't turn into something bad in time.

I LOVE driving this car, wow why did I wait so long to purchase one! lol

Thanks again everyone!!!!!

Oh 2 Fun

I'm really disappointed in my forum brothers for what they've ALL forgotten.....tsk tsk

"This thread is useless without pictures" !!

Post 'em up!! We wanna see!

Glad you got the problem fixed. My car "tramlined" badly for years and most said it was just the "wide tires"......NOT....it needed an alignment! Drives even more fantastic now!