Tramlining

[dan_b]

Just wondering, how badly do other peoples' S2s tramline, especially on ruts?

What causes tramlining, and what can be adjusted/replaced? What it excessive tramlining a sign of?

Do cars with stiffened springs in the suspension inherently suffer from tramlining more than standard suspension setups? Do cars with stiffened ARBs also inherently suffer from worse tramlining?

[S2 Ant]

Mine used to drive itself down the road, round bends the lot, was like something from the future, all i had to do was accelerate and brake! LOL

Now ive done topmounts, shocks and springs it drives sooo much better! All 4 topmounts were totally ruined tho thats for sure, certainly got my monies worth LOL!

Certainly havent noticed it wanting to go all over the place like it did before, i had to fight the car, now it stays where i put it

[imster]

my old 20v quattro used to have an adjustment on the steering rack which dampened the tramlining effect - it was just a nut that had to be turned a few degrees. Not sure if the s2 has this, as i have never had to check.
hth
imster

[T2Andy]

Mine used to be a two handed affair running 245 tyres on the front changed them to 225
eagles and the tramlining dissapeared .ive now had all the suspension done and running on 18 with 225 tyres and it drives perfect.my old coupe used to do it and when my mate bought it and stripped it he found that certain items were bent or worn .Uneven tyre wear is also a cause for tramlining.

[dan_b]

I do have one front tyre significantly more worn than the other (had a front puncture).

The steering rack has a pre-load adjustment, I tweaked that recently to remove the "straight ahead vagueness" I was suffering.

I had new top mounts in March and have replaced some of the other suspension bushes, but I guess there's still soemthign else going on

[T2Andy]

probably tyres dan ,try swapping front to back or try some more wheels\ tyre combination.

[dan_b]

Yeah, I think I'll swop fronts to back, see if that helps.

[Fat Audi 80]

worn wish bone bushes will also cause some tramlining. I noticed mine was better after they were replaced. I am running 245's too....

[Corey]

Excessive tyre width on an S6 causes it to tramline (and lowering it does not help!) Totally rebuilt suspension so I know it's not the bushes. Tyres are 255 on a 17

[dan_b]

Is simply having too-stiff suspension a "cause" of tramlining, or does this just merely highlight the fact that it's happening as it happens more quickly? Unless its a coincidence it's been doing it more since putting the stiffer ARBs on.

Incidentally I replaced my ARB droplinks yesterday which cured the vague turn-in and the clonk on full lock, that I've been suffering from recently, but it's still tramlining like fury -the inside lane ruts on our lovely M-ways are particularly scary at the moment. I must get round to swopping the tyres round to eliminate that part of the equation as this tramlining on ruts is not getting any better

[Jas11n]

Incidentally I replaced my ARB droplinks yesterday

Easy to fit Dan?
Bought mine a day before you but they only arrived today hey hoo, thats ebay for you.

Oh, I don't get any tramlining at all. QRS top mounts, koni shocks, powerflex wishbone bushes and new track rods ends after crash.
Getting these metal drop links as I simply don't like the idea of plastic ones.

[Chris5044]

sorry guys .. but what exactly is tramlining?.. never heard b4

[Jas11n]

sorry guys .. but what exactly is tramlining?.. never heard b4

You know how a tram isn't steered? as in it follows tracks set in the road. Basically the car feels as though it's steering itself, following ruts left in the slow lane by HGV's, different cambers on the road etc.

HTH's
Jas

[dan_b]

Could my shocks be worn out? You see I replaced the top mounts (admittedly with normal ones) back in March, had some new wishbone bushes in June and I've just done the droplinks - would bad alignment cause this too as I notice that my front right tyre is wearing a little unevenly? What are the proper alignment specs? I guess if I check the track rods and their worn and need replacing that would mean re-tracking?

[Alistair C]

For the first time in about 4 months mine is steering normally.
After changing top mounts, drop links, ball joints, wishbone bushes, the vagueness was still there. Sometimes almost changing lanes on its own.

Noticed there was excess movement on the tie-rod joints where they attach to the rack. With these changed, twas all better - but not perfect. 4 wheel alignment and decent branded new tyres all round was the final fix.