I got this strange slip feeling that I can't seem to figure out. Sometimes when I'm backing out of the parking spot after work and I turn the steering wheel sharply to the left. After about 6 feet or so I feel this sort of slip. Like the front wheel's loose but it's not! I can't seem to find anything wrong with the suspension anywhere. Anybody have any ideas what it could be? Normal driving is fine. Just when backing out and turning sharply left sometimes.

 

Backing out from anywhere or just one place?

 

Are you going slow and turning at the same time and you feel like the back tires get no traction? I get the same thing, I think it's the limited slip dif that causes that feeling like the back tires aren't gripping but I think it's normal operation. I have a sharp angle turn in my apartment complex that I have to take slow and with the wheel turned a bit, I get that feeling almost everyday at this spot in my complex. I'll see if I can find out some more.

 

ABS self check. it takes place everytime after the car is started and it goes above 5 mph. in your case its happening as you turn backwards, so it feels a little weird. its one of those things that are just part of the backround noise for me anymore. barely notice it backing out of my driveway now

 

Sometimes I've thought it's that but it's different. I'm backing out rather slowly and the slip seems like it's in the front right wheel. It feels almost as if the lugs aren't tightened enough. But they are. It also feels like the car's weight leans towards it slightly when that happens. Maybe it is the ABS but I don't hear that characteristic thunk with it.

 

In your title you say it happens when backing out and turning left, does it not happen at all when you turn right? Does it only do it shortly after you start the car or will it happen after you have been driving a little bit?

 

I get this too! It's almost like the road is really slippery for a moment. Everything is fine after I turn the wheel back and start going straight.

 

This is normal.

When you have the wheels at full lock, the tire contact patch of each fron tire is angled quite a bit (sorry, don't have a figure off the top of my head) from the other tire.

Simply, the inner wheel travels a different radius from the outer wheel.

This is due to the angle from the spindles being off horizontal, coupled with the caster alignment setting, and the camber settings.

You'll notice it most predominantly in reverse, on smooth concrete (like in an underground parking lot).

Note also that wider or narrower wheels, and different offsets from the spindles can improve or exacerbate this effect.


For the physics geeks: You could do a Google searches on: 'steering axis inclination'; 'included angle'; and 'scrub radius'; and (my personal favorite), the "Ackermann angle'.

 

I get this everyday and all I can think of is the LSD, I always feel like the back tires are slipping though, not the front ones. In my complex I need to make a sharp right turn immediately after coming off a speed bump, my wheel is already turned sharp right by the time the back tires are over the bump and I have to go pretty slow over speed bumps after being lowered 2in. as soon as I hit the gas after the speed bump I get the slip feeling for a split second but the tires are never spinning it just feels like they are. If it's not the limited slip that causes this I don't know what it would be but I am pretty sure that's what it is because of the sharp turn, slow speed, and the back wheels spinning at different speeds.

 

Bringing this back to life...

Anyone got any ideas...? I have the same exact problem. Getting a weird slipping feeling most of the time when turning left/right when going forward and straight.

Thanks