Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Hi There. I'm also quite new here. Having developed an infatuation with my Xfire since the day I saw "thou," it didn't come as a surprise that there would be a website such as this one. This is a one hell of a community.

I do have a quick question for you folks. First, let me introduce myself and my car. I live in a suburb of Seattle by the name of Issaquah. Yes, that would be Washington State. One hell of a place to spend your lifetime -- when it's not raining... My Crossfire is a 2008 Coupe -- gold, that gives an air of subtle maturity. Bought it at a dealer just 3 weeks ago. My infatuation may be turning into a love affair... My wife chuckles when she catches me in the garage admiring my Xfire....

Here's the question: First, here's the observation: when I drive it, I notice a noticeable "wiggle room" in the steering that makes the car move slightly to one side or the other. It's almost imperceptible. It feels very much like older trucks where there is a very noticeable wiggle room in the steering that forces you to constantly move the steering wheel to adjust the shifting of the vehicle, side to side. My Acura, for example, when I drive it, I won't have to move the steering wheel at all when I'm driving a straight line. The Crossfire, seems to force me to make very minor shifts in my steering wheel, even when I'm driving a straight line. Do any one of you also experience this? I'd love to hear your experiences. Thanks.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

well, you will get a lot of opinions on this one, I replaced the factory steering stabilizor w/ an aftermarket and cured that problem...it wanted to chase the crown in the road...new stabilzor isn't quite as tight as the factory one...

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

I noticed the same thing when I'm driving on a concrete section that has those longitudinal cuts in the concrete. I guess the cuts create better traction in rain or snow conditions, especially on curves, etc.
I experienced the same thing with a '80 Vette I used to have. It has something to do with the tires too. Shape of the tires + cuts in the concrete and car wants to slightly wander.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Isn't that called tramlining, or am I getting mixed up with something else? Where your wheels sort of "aim" for the groove in the road. Wide tyres will do it a lot more than narrow ones.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

When I drove across the country a few times, some roads do this and some do not. Sometimes I have to constantly adjust like you, and there are other times when I can let go of the wheel, look around, take a drink, and realize it is still straight.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Welcome to the forum Blazing. I'm guessing what you're experiencing is the wide front tires are "hunting" the "ruts" in the road left by 1000's of Trucks.
If you notice it more on blacktop roads, that's probably it.
Being from Seattle, I'm going to assume many of your concrete roads have "rain grooves", and I agree with JimJet those will have an effect on our cars too. (My old C4 Vettes were very susceptible to minor irregularities in the road).
Try to locate a really smooth blacktop "asphalt" road that doesn't get much "heavy" traffic and see if you notice anything unusual. I'm going to predict smooth sailing.:)
Enjoy

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Yep tramlining is the correct term, and even a couple reviews on the 'net that came out for the XFire as far back as '04 pointed out that this vehicle has a propensity for it.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Mine "hunts" also on certain roads, some more than others.
Doesn't really bother me so I've not tuned into it as to which roads
are the culprits.
I still have my original Pilot PS2s with 12K on them just from reference.

Seems to be a natural thing for these cars to do with the wide tires.

Peace
Paul

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Yes the tires do chase the grooves in the road, but that wont provide the sensation of wiggle room. In that situation, the car will just go and the wheel along with it. If I were you, I would just go get the alignment checked on the front and rear, along with the tire balance and inflation pressure. Maybe something needs to be tightened up with the steering. My crossfire has never had any wiggle room, it is tight and precise and its been that way for 62k miles. Good luck, its not a big issue and I'm sure you'll have no problem determining the cause of this minor imperfection to such an amazing vehicle.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

If I'm on a flat strech of good road, the steering wheel never moves a mm. But, as I posted in the "replace your steering stabilizer..." thread, the steering has recently lost quite a bit of it's "stiffness". I don't like it and am waiting for delivery of a new stabilizer.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

This is likely normal design and probably exists on ALL Crossfires. You mention that the steering feels like that of an older truck. That is because the Crossfire has recirculating ball steering, just like that found in many trucks or utility vehicles. There is always some play in such steering systems - adjusting the steering to eliminate the wiggle will increase wear to the system. Recirculating ball steering provides a mechanical advantage (doesn't matter so much with power steering), shorter turning radius, durability, and doesn't transfer harsh feedback from the road to the driver (all good things if you are a truck driver). But on the downside, you don't get the useful feedback from the road that you will with a rack and pinion system, which may also contribute to why you have to make frequent steering correections.

The other steering issue is the tendency to pull left or right when road surfaces are not even. That is caused by a combination of short wheelbase and wide tires.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

the steering for the crossfire is rack and pinion. read your manual.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

And what manual would that be?:confused:

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Welcome to the forum Blazing !!! Home for your Perma-Grin support group !
Being as though your're drivin a brand new car, no doubt you have come to terms that the Crossfire is a drivers car. Not something you can take your eyes off the road for a moment and not expect a bit of steering correction. The steering box is tight being new and probably reacts a bit hastely with even slight inputs. As suggested before, find a nice straight level road (good luck being in Washington) and release the wheel. If the car darts to one side of the road or other have your dealer check the alignment. I wouldn't think the steering stabilizer would be suspect at this time. ;)

Just my Dos Centavos

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

lol :rolleyes:

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

This place is amazing. You folks are amazing. Info about the steering stabilizer, the “rain grooves,” “longitudinal cuts in the concrete,” tramlining, testing on a smooth and strait road, “recirculating ball steering” (and the correction?)… you can’t make this stuff up! That, my fellow Xers, is education.

I’m quite relieved to see that I’m not alone in this. So it seems that this phenomenon is a common one and likely “normal” for this vehicle. I will have to try out the advice on driving on straight and smooth freeway.

Now, I do have one gripe. Why are some of you down on our roads here? Is this based on envy or experience or both?... (I’m teasing).. Much thanks to all who shared their thoughts.

I just noticed a new topic in the "TSBs and How-To Articles" thread called "Steering recall." No definitive answer has been established in terms of how official or real this "recall" is. Anyone know more about this? I'm begining to think there is a lot more to the phenomenon I brought up than it first appeared. Some are noting that the tires don't move at all with an inch of movement in the steering wheel. Interesting stuff.
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ad.php?t=21043

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

the dumbass' guide to the crossfire

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

This is what I read, unless the book was made just for my car I guess it is correct.

DESCRIPTION
The power steering gear is a recirculating ball type gear. The steering gear is securely mounted to the driver’s side

of the vehicle. The steering linkage is attached to the pitman arm then attached to the idler arm.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

Thanks for clarifying that information. It is helpful to know this.

Re: Questions about Xfire's driving behavior
 

No, I guess it wouldn't be in the manual. The vehicle that I purchased used had previously had a recall notice about the steering. They replaced the recirculating ball gear with rack and pinion. Of course, this all occurred before I purchased the vehicle, it only appeared on my carfax report. Not sure how many were recalled, mine is a very early '04 crossfire, originally built in May of 2003. I highly suggest you complain about this issue to the dealer in hopes for rack and pinion replacements, however, I'm sure that they corrected the issue with the recirculating ball gear that you queers keep talking about. So I'm flipping all of you off, and telling you to go shove it.