[tenargo57]

I want to preface this by saying that I'm no stranger to 400+whp AWD cars, but I haven't owned many RWD cars and the ones I have owned were half the power, so I just want to be extra cautious before spending money on a potential money pit. I recently took a 2019 manual Camaro SS with just over 30k miles for a test drive and it seemed mostly fine other than the rear feeling like it wanted to move around a bit under moderate throttle. There were no accidents reported and the car seemed to be in otherwise great condition.


The tire tread looked fine and the roads were very dry and warm, but the rear end was not happy after providing more than moderate throttle. Say I was cruising at 30-40mph in 2nd gear and went over 60-70% throttle somewhat quickly. The rear would "wiggle" for a sec and settle. I wasn't worried about spinning out or anything that bad, but it just felt unstable. It was not the same feeling as breaking traction from hammering down the throttle. No tire chirps or anything like that.



From my experience a similar unstable feeling is usually caused by aggressively out of spec toe, but my only experience with these power level are AWD cars so I wanted to see what you think might be causing this. It has barely over 30k miles so I don't think worn out suspension components are the cause, but you never know. Think it might be a simple fix or should I run away? I'd absolutely take it for a PPI, but before even spending that money I'd like to know if this seems like a waste of time and money. Thanks

[Green82]

what size tire were on the rear? did they look too wide for the wheels?

[tenargo57]

They were appropriately sized continental all season something or other (275/35r20). I forget the specifics but they seemed all to have a decent bit of life in them.

[Green82]

Originally Posted by tenargo57

They were appropriately sized continental all season something or other (275/35r20). I forget the specifics but they seemed all to have a decent bit of life in them.

not talking about tread life.
if you put a tire that is too wide for the wheel it was cause stability problems

[tenargo57]

Originally Posted by Green82

not talking about tread life.
if you put a tire that is too wide for the wheel it was cause stability problems

They were appropriately sized for an SS at 275 width as I said.

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by tenargo57

They were appropriately sized for an SS at 275 width as I said.

I think this is an alignment issue. If it felt like the car moved around in the rear under acceleration that can occur if the TOW settings are off. The elongated bolt that holds the TOW setting easily can become loose enough to along the car to lose the proper settings. The stabilitrak system will try to compensate but IF it is too far off then it will feel like the rearend is seesawing laterally back and forth.

The PERMANENT fix for this known issue is this BMR part in the link below that essentially ELIMINATES the elongated bolt and also at the same time allows for more NEGATIVE camber adjustment which of course is particularly useful for us track guys (I run about -2.9 degrees camber on the REAR and stock adjustment generally is limited to -2.0 camber) While the BMR part is VERY good, SPLPARTS are the BEST and I have info on that below (I use THAT one).

Here is part information (BMR):
https://wildhammermotorsports.com/16...-rod-ends-bmr/

SPLPARTS rear toe links with Eccentric Lockout (SPL RTAEL CAM6 cost 499.00)
https://www.splparts.com/products/ca...c-lockout.html

[arpad_m]

I also suspect an alignment issue, a stock SS with proper tires, which you do have, should be perfectly planted on acceleration (assuming proper temps and relatively dry pavement). You can certainly upgrade the suspension as sr71bb recommended, but an alignment should fix the immediate problem.

[Allez]

OP, are you sure it isn't just breaking traction? You mentioned the tires are all-season. As I put some miles on my summer tires even (but still with a good amount of tread) sometimes the rear could break loose briefly with 'spirited' acceleration. That's with traction control on.

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by tenargo57

I haven't owned many RWD cars and the ones I have owned were half the power...I recently took a 2019 manual Camaro SS with just over 30k miles for a test drive and it seemed mostly fine other than the rear feeling like it wanted to move around a bit under moderate throttle. ...

I was cruising at 30-40mph in 2nd gear and went over 60-70% throttle somewhat quickly. The rear would "wiggle" for a sec and settle.

Sounds about right for a hit in 2nd gear at high torque. 400+ ft-lbs will break most tires loose on most FE+RWD cars (less weight over the driven tires). Might just need a bit of alignment. Doesn't sound like a big deal to me. At 650 ft-lbs it's always a bit of fun on a hit in 2nd

The stability control tuning in the 6th gen Camaro will allow you to spin and slide a little bit in SPORT mode before the nannies reign you in. If it does this in TOUR or TRACK, then yeah there may be an issue (probably just alignment or choice of tires).

[WhiteMale]

I had this or similar and its been discussed ad naseum here,in my 18 1LE and now my 23 ZL1.

BMR cradle lockout solves it.

I put it in my ZL1 and its hammer down solid, that instability is gone.

[2SS Capt]

My SS does the same thing, basically I think the tires are spinning a bit, Traction Control kicks in and keeps things under control...

[arpad_m]

Just saying that OP specifically stated it doesn't feel like what happens when losing and regaining traction, which he also experiences at WOT ("hammering the throttle"). Based on his post, I took it as extended minor wagging left and right, which is a typical symptom of an alignment issue, given his tires and normal road conditions.

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Green82

not talking about tread life.
if you put a tire that is too wide for the wheel it was cause stability problems

Never has for me..... but these cars need an alignment after they break in some. It will have that squirrely feeling until its aligned

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by tenargo57

I want to preface this by saying that I'm no stranger to 400+whp AWD cars, but I haven't owned many RWD cars and the ones I have owned were half the power, so I just want to be extra cautious before spending money on a potential money pit. I recently took a 2019 manual Camaro SS with just over 30k miles for a test drive and it seemed mostly fine other than the rear feeling like it wanted to move around a bit under moderate throttle. There were no accidents reported and the car seemed to be in otherwise great condition.


The tire tread looked fine and the roads were very dry and warm, but the rear end was not happy after providing more than moderate throttle. Say I was cruising at 30-40mph in 2nd gear and went over 60-70% throttle somewhat quickly. The rear would "wiggle" for a sec and settle. I wasn't worried about spinning out or anything that bad, but it just felt unstable. It was not the same feeling as breaking traction from hammering down the throttle. No tire chirps or anything like that.



From my experience a similar unstable feeling is usually caused by aggressively out of spec toe, but my only experience with these power level are AWD cars so I wanted to see what you think might be causing this. It has barely over 30k miles so I don't think worn out suspension components are the cause, but you never know. Think it might be a simple fix or should I run away? I'd absolutely take it for a PPI, but before even spending that money I'd like to know if this seems like a waste of time and money. Thanks

What kind of tires?

My winter tires above 40 degrees F have rear end sway with high throttle. Very soft rubber. Same effect with Drag slicks from what I understand.

I guess what I'm asking is, are the rear tires winter tires? Even on 275's this effect is present as that is my same tire width.

Or as others have said maybe an alignment issue