HELP! Rear end feeling drifty
02-15-2019, 06:34 AM
#1
HELP! Rear end feeling drifty
Searched the forum and couldn't find any references to this so figure I'll open it up with a question.
Driving my local twisties last weekend (and pushing somewhat) I noticed in quite a few corners the rear end felt like it was losing grip. It just felt like the rear end was wandering slightly.
• Conditions were dry and the same as always.
• The tyres are three years old, still plenty of tread left. Other than this, have felt super grippy at all times.
• I was driving hard but was actually a little less on it than usual.
• Checked tyre pressures. I run 34 front and 36 rear and pressures are all as per normal (17" cup 1's)
To be honest I thought i was imagining it. Then driving home tonight I came into a corner I take all the time fast(ish) and had a tiny moment where I felt like I needed to 'catch it'. No tyre squeal or anything else alarming and as soon as it happened I did catch it but I'm not convinced it was actually sliding.
Wondering if it might be worn bushings in the rear? Will take it to my local shop for a look but I'd love to hear any thoughts in the meantime....
Driving my local twisties last weekend (and pushing somewhat) I noticed in quite a few corners the rear end felt like it was losing grip. It just felt like the rear end was wandering slightly.
• Conditions were dry and the same as always.
• The tyres are three years old, still plenty of tread left. Other than this, have felt super grippy at all times.
• I was driving hard but was actually a little less on it than usual.
• Checked tyre pressures. I run 34 front and 36 rear and pressures are all as per normal (17" cup 1's)
To be honest I thought i was imagining it. Then driving home tonight I came into a corner I take all the time fast(ish) and had a tiny moment where I felt like I needed to 'catch it'. No tyre squeal or anything else alarming and as soon as it happened I did catch it but I'm not convinced it was actually sliding.
Wondering if it might be worn bushings in the rear? Will take it to my local shop for a look but I'd love to hear any thoughts in the meantime....
02-15-2019, 09:13 AM
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
What are the air temperatures during these drives and what type of tire are you running? I’m not sure where you live so I can’t tell if it’s winter or not. Cold temperatures (under 45 Fahrenheit) would definitely result in less grip on a summer tire. Hopefully others will chime in with other causes.
02-15-2019, 10:32 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Are your shock absorbers ok and not original ones? Ask me why I’m asking this!
02-15-2019, 11:19 AM
#5
Race Car
There are so many things that could cause this. Having little information and not physical experience w the car- would've hard to advise..
But- tires get very inconsistent after heating and cooling cycles, regardless of how much tread is left.
Tires stored in extreme heat- will die very quickly and appear to the outside as "fine". And same thing, very inconsistent grip.
Likelihood of rear bushings causing it is very very low.
Take a look at your sway bar bushings, rears are almost bullet proof, but fronts tend to need attention here and there.
In my case, when i had a similar issue- one of the bolts on tommy front sway bar bushings snapped and the front sway bar was detached on one side and the car was all over the place in corners.
As was stated earlier- blown strut or one that is on its way out- another possibility - but very difficult to tell given the information.
Also as was stated- ambient temps also play a role and temp in the tires as well.
Good luck sorting it out- let us know what you come up with.
But- tires get very inconsistent after heating and cooling cycles, regardless of how much tread is left.
Tires stored in extreme heat- will die very quickly and appear to the outside as "fine". And same thing, very inconsistent grip.
Likelihood of rear bushings causing it is very very low.
Take a look at your sway bar bushings, rears are almost bullet proof, but fronts tend to need attention here and there.
In my case, when i had a similar issue- one of the bolts on tommy front sway bar bushings snapped and the front sway bar was detached on one side and the car was all over the place in corners.
As was stated earlier- blown strut or one that is on its way out- another possibility - but very difficult to tell given the information.
Also as was stated- ambient temps also play a role and temp in the tires as well.
Good luck sorting it out- let us know what you come up with.
02-15-2019, 05:24 PM
#7
What are the air temperatures during these drives and what type of tire are you running? I’m not sure where you live so I can’t tell if it’s winter or not. Cold temperatures (under 45 Fahrenheit) would definitely result in less grip on a summer tire. Hopefully others will chime in with other causes.
My shocks are Bilstein PSS10's and while I've not loved them since fitting them, they are only 18 months old. Would certainly hope that's not the issue. Sounds like it is going to be one of those cases of going over everything to determine the cause, given the range of possibilities.
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02-15-2019, 10:09 PM
#8
Addict
Rennlist Member
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Don’t rule out the shocks. Years ago I installed some Koni sport shocks on a car and about 6 months after installation I started noticing the front end of my car was vague and felt loose. I couldn’t figure it out until one day I had the car up on a lift for some other reason and noticed that one of the shocks was covered in oil. I ended up sending it back to Koni and they sent a replacement. Worth checking.....
02-15-2019, 10:32 PM
#9
Don’t rule out the shocks. Years ago I installed some Koni sport shocks on a car and about 6 months after installation I started noticing the front end of my car was vague and felt loose. I couldn’t figure it out until one day I had the car up on a lift for some other reason and noticed that one of the shocks was covered in oil. I ended up sending it back to Koni and they sent a replacement. Worth checking.....
02-17-2019, 08:41 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Since we are ruling things out, when was the last time the engine mounts were replaced? Your description of "felt like I needed to 'catch it'" is exactly what went away after I replaced mine. Just a thought.
02-17-2019, 09:10 PM
#11