4200 Tramlining.

Soenvious

Member
Messages
128
I've been using my 4200 for work lately and whilst travelling on the M6, I've been a Model Citizen, using the inside lane more than usual due to the reduced amount of traffic. This has shown up more pronounced tramlining probably because of the heavily rutted surface from HGV traffic.
I've checked tyre pressures and they're ok.
Is this a common problem with the front end geometry, or do I need to investigate further? (Up to now I've only completed around 600 miles in this, new-to-me car.)
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,220
Do you get a rear wheel steer kick when hard accelerating? If so it is the rear tie rod joints I'm afraid.
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,547
Mine did. Yes tyre pressures are a good start, then the bushes and arms, oh and geometry check wouldn't hurt)

C
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
I've been using my 4200 for work lately and whilst travelling on the M6, I've been a Model Citizen, using the inside lane more than usual due to the reduced amount of traffic. This has shown up more pronounced tramlining probably because of the heavily rutted surface from HGV traffic.
I've checked tyre pressures and they're ok.
Is this a common problem with the front end geometry, or do I need to investigate further? (Up to now I've only completed around 600 miles in this, new-to-me car.)
Tyre pressures and knackered tyres will do it ! The fact the road has a poor surface and you can feel it isnt a great surprise...
i use 32 PSI all round on y 4200
Maserati do go for 'sporty' geo...this will exaggerate the road/tyre wear situation...or indeed, tyre pressure differences...
Dont fret over the drama crew telling you car is broken already...Jeez. They'll have you scrapping it faster than you catch CV19...!!
;)
 

Soenvious

Member
Messages
128
As I suspected, lots of checks to do. Silly me thinking it might be something as simple as tyre pressures.
I guess this is my induction into Maserati ownership. Thank goodness for the wealth of helpful info. only a keyboards length away.
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
I drove a 4200 to costco and it was all over the place in lane one of the M6 , drove back with 4 michelin pilot sport 3 tyres on and it was a different car, are the tyres low
 

Soenvious

Member
Messages
128
I drove a 4200 to costco and it was all over the place in lane one of the M6 , drove back with 4 michelin pilot sport 3 tyres on and it was a different car, are the tyres low
No, decent amount of tread but old, 2011, from memory..
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
New tyres will help, if they're that old you have no idea what they've been through , sidewalls could be knackered if they've been kerbed or down potholes
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,699
I drove a 4200 to costco and it was all over the place in lane one of the M6 , drove back with 4 michelin pilot sport 3 tyres on and it was a different car, are the tyres low
Was it weighed down with big rolls too?
 

foibles

Member
Messages
511
No, decent amount of tread but old, 2011, from memory..
I was speaking to a somewhat overzealous tyre salesman a few weeks back and he suggested to me that tyres have a 'use by date' of sorts - I think this was in the region of 4-5 years? The discussion came about because I told him I'd seen similar tyres elsewhere (through a parallel importer) far cheaper...and he suggested I check serial numbers - which demonstrate (from memory) year of production.

Up until this point, I'd never considered this.

So I suspect your 2011 tyres could do with a holiday. As could the 335/35/17 sitting on the rear of my Supra.....as they've been there since at least 1999, possibly much longer. I panic every time I need to move the car.
 

RobinL

Member
Messages
456
9 years old tyres are too old. I think these are the problem...
It would be difficult to quantify any change or improvement with tyres of that age. Although unused factory wrapped tyres will last for years that's not so when they are on the car. With no idea on storage or use in the past it is likely the sidewall strength is compromised 'variable' so I would certainly look to changing those out.
Next is a simple tracking check. Before you get into the full geo checks and suspension autopsy!!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
 

Swedish Paul

Member
Messages
1,807
I had new tyres on my 968 last year. A different car. Enjoyable, engaging. Best 400 quid I have spent in the car. I just couldn’t believe the difference.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,932
I've been using my 4200 for work lately and whilst travelling on the M6, I've been a Model Citizen, using the inside lane more than usual due to the reduced amount of traffic. This has shown up more pronounced tramlining probably because of the heavily rutted surface from HGV traffic.
I've checked tyre pressures and they're ok.
Is this a common problem with the front end geometry, or do I need to investigate further? (Up to now I've only completed around 600 miles in this, new-to-me car.)

Im guessing your on Pirellis. I had the same issue a few years ago. Rear tyres were well above the blocks but the run out on Pirelli tyres is poor imho.

I changed the back tyres to michellin pilot sports and the tram lining went straight away and was a different car to drive.

Pirelli p zeros are fine in the summer but never get into the sweet temperature zone during winter.