The "Grooved Pavement Shuffle"

[Matt Johnson]

On my way out to the Auto Club 500 today, I was running around 90-95 in the carpool lane. When I got onto some grooved pavement, the front wheels seemed to really 'hook up' on the grooves, wanted to run with them - got a little squirrly and didn't inspire confidence at the higher speed.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is it is just a function of these relatively wide tires, or this particular tread pattern?

[notacop]

yep, i felt this on grooved concrete at only 60 mph. they cut up the SR 51 in phoenix to add lanes and reworked the whole freeway i.e. no shoulder. needless to say, this feeling was a little unnerving with concrete barriers close on each side

[RCSignals]

It's not peculiar to the Marauder really

[Matt Johnson]

Might also have to do with the fact that the MM is the first rear wheel drive car I've had in a while...

[looking97233]

check your tire pressure.

[Warpath]

It has to do with tires and suspension geometry. Caster plays a big part of it. The higher the caster, the more it will follow the grooves and road crown. Higher caster also provides increased straightline stability. So, there's a trade off.

[Matt Johnson]

That makes a lot of sense. I really thought I had a problem with the car pulling to the right when I first got it, but I've come to believe it's just a high sensitivity to the crown of the road that I had not experienced in my previous vehicle. The caster issue explains it for me.

[helifool]

Wide tires are definitely a factor----not really a problem

[Hemlock]

32 LBS. MIN A MUST FRONT REAR .

[jgc61sr2002]

I believe the owners manual states 32 pounds front and rear. I keep mine at 32 and I think the MM rides and handles well. IMHO. John

[Crown Vic]

I get the same thing with my Roush 18's. My stock 17's don't do it. It seems like the car has a mind of its own.

[O's Fan Rich]

on a motorcycle? Now that sucks big time!!

[LincMercLover]

Originally posted by Hemlock
32 LBS. MIN A MUST FRONT REAR .

Bah... my dealer had me setup up with 27 all the way around. Talk about cushy! :rolleyes:

BTW, currently I am at 32 rear and 34 front.

[prchrman]

LML...weight ratio calls for what you have...IE I agree completely...:up:

[Fourth Horseman]

I've experienced the same thing with my folks' '93 Crown Vic and its stock 16" wheels and factory fit tires. I just shut my eyes as tight as I could and pressed the pedal on the right to the floor boards. :D

[LincMercLover]

^^^Always works for me!^^^ :up: