2003 srt10 dangerous handling on grooved roads

barry488 · Oct 3, 2010

I have a 2003 srt 10 I recently purchased. It has 1800 miles with the Michelin Sport run flats. When driving on a grooved or rough road the car is all over the place to the point that I feel I could lose control of it. On a good road the car seems to handle and drive fine.Before this viper I had a 97 GTS that would also follow the grooves but I still always felt in control of the car. The 03 had been stored by the original owner in a climate controlled building. I'm also sure the car has never been in an accident. Could the storage affected the tires someway, or do I just need some driving lessons? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Barry

bigmack339 · Oct 3, 2010

Seriously dude, your tires are 7 years old?

C'mon...

TowDawg · Oct 3, 2010

Old runflats = dangerous. It does follow grooves in the roadway, and that can be a little uncomfortable at first, but you get used to it. It scared the hell out of me when I first bought mine, but I don't even notice it now.

fqberful · Oct 3, 2010

Take your car in and have the alignment checked by an old guy that's been doing it for like 100 years. A small tweak is all that's needed. Been there with that one.

--FQB

plumcrazy · Oct 3, 2010

run flats = JUNK
7 year old tires = JUNK.

both combined are dangerous

Chrissss · Oct 3, 2010

There shouldn't even be a question to post. Isn't the answer obvious?

Kala · Oct 3, 2010

Welcome to the board Barry.

The guys are correct about the tires. Old tires will bite you faster than you can believe. I learned to drive my first Viper on older tires than that... LOL It was an adventure until I got them changed out.

Have the alignment checked, when you get new tires. A lb or 2 less in the fronts can make a difference too if your local roads are severely rutted.

Come back and let us know how that worked for you. :2tu:

bluesrt · Oct 3, 2010

new tires-----new tires------new tires------new tires

RedEnuf93 · Oct 3, 2010

My -93 is the same way with old or somewhat worn tires.

Buy Tires. get alignment at the same time and enjoy your car....

georgethedog · Oct 3, 2010

plumcrazy said:
run flats = JUNK
7 year old tires = JUNK.

both combined are dangerous

Plumcrazy is right on. New PS2s and you would love them. An allignment check wouldn't hurt but my bet is it is only the tires.

I had some old tires on my '02 last year and I was doing about (too much) when I had to break. The car went all over the road like I was on ice (it was 70 degrees plus); I was lucky to keep it in my lane and on the road. Bought new tires the next week. Lesson learned. I was lucky. Good luck.

viperbob · Oct 14, 2010

Granted it was my fault but I totaled an '06 with cold run-craps...they can be dangerous even when warmed up.

swexlin · Oct 17, 2010

I bought my 03 6 months ago with 23K on the original run flats. The rears didn't pass PA inspection (even thought they "looked" OK. Changed out to PS2s, and it's a totally different car.

01sapphirebob · Oct 17, 2010

As everyone has mentioned. Get new tires A.S.A.P.

LifeIsGood · Oct 17, 2010

I might as well chime in here also. I was driving on 9-10 year old rubber for my first two years of ownership. The car was very hard to handle on grooved roads. I recently upgraded the rubber and voila, the difference is remarkable. Buy new tires :2tu:

.

MTGTS · Oct 17, 2010

Get new tires and make sure they AREN'T runflats.

barry488 · Oct 30, 2010

Thanks everyone for your help, my new ps2's are on the way.
Barry

texas_venom · Oct 30, 2010

Alignment check at 1800 miles? Hmm, I doubt it... especially since he said it runs fine on normal roads. My 04 did the same thing. Took time to get used to driving on grooved roads .The wide tires caused the car to pull with the grooves. Upgraded the tires and that helped... but in the long run it still pulled a little with the grooved roads.

plumcrazy · Oct 30, 2010

good move on getting PS2's

ILLSMOQ · Oct 30, 2010

Tires of course but also check the u-joint on the steering shaft. When I first got my 04 I though it was the worst handling car I ever drove...dangerous was the exact word I used.

I started looking at the steering and suspension to see what I could do to improve it and discovered the u-joint was a little bit loose on the steering shaft. The bolt was torqued but the splines on the joint were not a tight fit. I tightend up the bolt which tightend up the pinch on the steering shaft took it for a drive and it was a totally different car.

Asp Man · Oct 30, 2010

ILLSMOQ said:
Tires of course but also check the u-joint on the steering shaft. When I first got my 04 I though it was the worst handling car I ever drove...dangerous was the exact word I used.

I started looking at the steering and suspension to see what I could do to improve it and discovered the u-joint was a little bit loose on the steering shaft. The bolt was torqued but the splines on the joint were not a tight fit. I tightend up the bolt which tightend up the pinch on the steering shaft took it for a drive and it was a totally different car.

Great tip, and not obvious. It's easy to give the tires "advice", I've done it myself, but here's someone who has something new to add!
If you're looking for a reason to join the VCA, Barry, this is as good as any other. These boards are filled with fantastic info and great members willing to help.
Good luck with the new car!

2003 srt10 dangerous handling on grooved roads

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