Handling problems - any advice?
10-09-2010 | 02:10 PM
#93
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 1
From: Brockville, ON
Hi everyone. I'm still pretty new and learning. I have an '88 3.2 with 103,000 miles. It's displaying a vagueness that has me concerned. Under acceleration the car pulls to the right. Lifting off the accelerator the car wants to go back to the left. This only happens under acceleration and lift off. Gradual acceleration, coasting or braking the car runs straight and true. It's only under hard acceleration and then lift off I get the right pull and then left return. It's noticeable and unnerving.
I recently put on new rear KUHMO tires - replacing the KUHMO tires that were on the car that wouldn't pass inspection. They're standard sizes. I understood the car would squirm a bit on new rubber but I've put 600 miles on them already and it's no better. I'm not sure the tires are responsible but it was immediately after I fitted them I noticed the car felt like it was floating. It was so bad that I had to pull over to check a wheel wasn't loose! Prior to the tires the only thing I noticed was that the car felt vague at the back when I lifted off the power at 90ish and would gather it's composure if I put the power back down. I've had a look underneath and see nothing loose or any play. Any advice would be appreciated.
I recently put on new rear KUHMO tires - replacing the KUHMO tires that were on the car that wouldn't pass inspection. They're standard sizes. I understood the car would squirm a bit on new rubber but I've put 600 miles on them already and it's no better. I'm not sure the tires are responsible but it was immediately after I fitted them I noticed the car felt like it was floating. It was so bad that I had to pull over to check a wheel wasn't loose! Prior to the tires the only thing I noticed was that the car felt vague at the back when I lifted off the power at 90ish and would gather it's composure if I put the power back down. I've had a look underneath and see nothing loose or any play. Any advice would be appreciated.
When I got my car 2 years ago I had this pulling to the right under throttle, and a drifting back to the left when I let off.
First thing I did was have an alignment done.
They found one rear side needed adjustment, this was the first clue to the puzzle, and I thought the problem would be solved.
The result of the alignment correction was that the pulling became 60% of what it was before.
I then had everything inspected and a corner balance done, same pulling to the right.
My bushings are a bit worn, but there is no noticeable play anywhere.
My next thought was possibly a soft torsion bar.
We unhooked the sway bar, loaded up the rear of the car in the centre with a 225 pound human and measured the weight on each rear wheel and the deflection at each wheel arch.
The results were balanced.
This was getting me concerned. I thought that I might have a crooked car, even though there is no sign of any previous collision or major repair.
Then.. I decided to do a cleaning job on my wheels.
While they were off I noticed the tire on the right, the side the required the alignment adjusted, had some uneven wear and was worn more than the left.
Soooo, I decided to swap sides when I put them back on.
Ha ha,, the car now pulls to the Left under throttle and back to the Right when I let off. I flipped the behaviour by swapping the wheels!!!
New tires are in order for the spring.
Then we will see where we stand with this pulling.
Since you have already done the new tires, I would suggest you get the car corner balanced and aligned.
10-09-2010 | 03:00 PM
#94
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 55
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
This was getting me concerned. I thought that I might have a crooked car, even though there is no sign of any previous collision or major repair.
New tires are in order for the spring.
Then we will see where we stand with this pulling.
Since you have already done the new tires, I would suggest you get the car corner balanced and aligned.
I've returned my tires for (hopefully) a refund and bought 4 new Y rated ones. I can't wait :-)
10-11-2010 | 04:41 PM
#97
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,993
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From: Blue Ridge Mountains NC.
10-17-2010 | 03:50 PM
#98
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 55
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Just an update. I had two new Pilots mounted on the rear wheels and took the car out. The problems are all gone. I can accelerate and lift off the power without putting my hands on the steering wheel and it stays perfectly straight. I didn't put the matching fronts on so I could eliminate other variables so I'll put those on tomorrow. Meanwhile, it's a 70 degree sunny day here so needs must. . . .
