Tramlining

I'm getting pretty noticeable tramlining on my new Cayman S (19' Carerra S wheels + PASM ). Wondering if this could be a suspension setup problem. Now, it is only really noticeable on one freeway, Highway 85 south of Cupertino in the South SF Bay area which is a concrete freeway that's just been resurfaced and has very distinct grooves. Anyone else drive that road and have no tramlining? Thanks, John.

John, I've noticed the effect a few times hwy17 couple of spots and hwy85 too, assumed the grooves were the source and haven't paid much attention as I've not had any negative handling issues any where else. Have gone up and down 280 (SF and Pacifica and back) several times and no probs. If you're getting tramline effect on smooth surfaces as well, let the dealer check it out. Might just be the feedback thru the car is so good (accurate) that the effect seems so severe. jm

Thanks JM. I've only really felt it on 85, and otherwise the handling is delightful. Been up and down route 9 from Saratoga to the coast and 84 from the coast to Woodside several times and I can't get over how well the thing handles. I'll mention the tramlining to the dealer when I take it in for a rattle next week and see what he says.

Are we talking south of Steven's Creek? If so, it makes sense because that part of the freeway is relatively new compared to the part of Highway 85 north of Steven's Creek. Edited by - hsjb on 04/19/2006 4:55:34 PM

Make sure to do the fundamentals if you are tramlining: 1) Check Tire pressure. 2)Check for any uneven tire wear. 3) Check for any suspension 'play'. Paul

I drove 85 between 280 and 101 (so including the section you describe) twice over the weekend, once each way, and had no noticiable tramlining. a bit more noise than usual over the new grooved sections, but no handling issues that i noticed (admittedly in rather normal driving though)

Yes hsjb[/quote], the section south of Steven's Creek particularly. It is both new and just resurfaced and the resurfacing resulted in heavy grooving as you've probably noticed. Paul[/quote], the onboard TPMS says the tire pressures are fine and the tires are new and have no obvious tread problems. I'll check for suspension play in the AM. fraser[/quote], what wheel size & tires do you have?

I should be able to tell you this weekend what the standard 18" Cayman wheels are like on that section of 85.

19inch wheels with PASM . Was def in regular, not sport mode. Might actually be a good experiment to do, to try it one way in regular and one in sport. it would not at all surprise me if you/ I got some significant chattering and tramlining in sport mode--when I fool around and turn it on and off and do things like drive over the reflector bumps on the freeway to see what will happen, it's a pretty clear difference.

what is a tramlining? thank you.

I'm sure somebody will have the technical explanation, but tramlining is the tendacy for a car to want to follow every dip and undulation in the road (the don't take your hands off the wheel effect) It can get really bad in cars with poorly modified or lowered suspensions. I have 19' Classic with PASM and I am quite pleased with the cruise drive in normal mode.

It has also lot to do with steering and suspension bushings, and generally gets worse as tire sizes grow. I do have the same issue and it got worse with 245 size front tires. I will be checking the bushings within the next couple of weeks.

I've driven my tubo on that section of 85 a few times the last few months before leaving for Las Vegas and noticed the same thing. I think when they cut the grooves in the concrete, they got a little carried away. I don't think it has to do with your car except for the fact that you have big, wide, sticky tires going over the grooves and they want to follow the grooves more than regular passenger tires would. If you're not tramlining elsewhere, I wouldn't worry about it. brad

Thanks for all the input chaps. I think Brad has the right of it, my car's probably OK. That section of 85 is very heavily grooved and I don't get the tramlining anywhere else.

I finally drove the segment of Highway 85 in question and with my 18" Cayman wheels without PASM , I experienced very little tramlining. I felt a nudge here and there. I've actually felt more tramlining elsewhere but I cannot remember where I was.