Shaleskin Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Hi all, I've spoken to a few mechanics when I've remembered when I'm out and about about this issue I'm having with steering. more emphasized when over 40mph but when trying to drive in a straight line it constantly wants to pull either left or right and if you turn against it a little bit and hold it the car starts to sway left to right, right to left while still going straight which if left will start getting worse. (Feels like bad shocks but had them checked and they're okay). I've changed rear droplinks and ARB bushes, 4 wheel alignment been done and also fitted new wheels and tyres and it still does this. I've read that outer toe arms can cause wayward steering and general lack of feedback to the steering wheel as mine feels very sloppy but a quick check shows they are alright. If anyone else can suggest what else to look for then it will help! Anything after 70mph is just dangerous to drive at. Strangely enough though if you're turning slightly, regardless of speed the car feels solid. Just can't stay still in a straight line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 (edited) Who did the alignment ? Maybe something is loose and not been spotted during the alignment like loose sub frame bolts perhaps Have all the suspension bushes been properly checked ? Did they all get adjusted when the alignment was done as they're prone to seizing which you'd only spot if you actually undid them and rotated the bolts that fit through them Edited February 10, 2016 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaleskin Posted February 10, 2016 Author Share Posted February 10, 2016 I'll have to look at the paperwork tomorrow to see the company. Up in Portsmouth though. A friend and I went over the subframe bolts last year August time and cranked them all up for peace of mind but were very tight. Suspension bushes have not been properly checked, I have an MOT next Saturday and going to ask him to have a look over the bushes while it's up in the air. They adjusted toe on both rear wheels and front drivers side. Without having another look I can't say if they've been adjusted recently unfortunately. I wish I could explain the issue better as it's been doing it since I purchased it last March and it hasn't got worse, just stays the same. Would be easier if someone could drive it and get an idea of how it seems the car has a mind of its own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 (edited) Going over all the suspension thoroughly is the first thing i'd be doing looking for play in any of the ball joints and bushes. Obviously assuming the dampers are all in good order. Too many alignment places just set the car so it's in the green zone and that's it, which is fine while it's sat on the ramp but not if you have play in the ball joints or worn bushes once its on the rd it'll be all over the shop Edited February 10, 2016 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Do you have the alignment figures it got set to ? Before and after ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 What size wheels? What offset wheels? What brand tyres and what condition? How low? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky-Ricky Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I would say its an alignment problem, front or rear toe being out one way or other will cause that sort of effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaleskin Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 I've got: rears - 9.5j 265/35/18 fronts - 8.5j 245/40/18 Continental compact sport 3 et35 all round. (Bare in mind it still did this with old wheels that were 7.5j all round). It is on Tiens Super streets, not sure how low but it's still practical and looks like the front is higher than the rear. Damping is 5clicks out on front and 6 on rears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 They don't seem to list front caster, which is a bit odd, as it's the angle I would be most interested in looking at given the symptoms. I would also jack it up with both front tyres off the ground and check the steering is totally free to turn, slowly, left and right, engine off and engine idling. It needs looking at immediately, sounds like it MIGHT be something you would want fixing straight away, given tyres and rims are not the usual ridiculous nonsense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaleskin Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 They don't seem to list front caster, which is a bit odd, as it's the angle I would be most interested in looking at given the symptoms. I would also jack it up with both front tyres off the ground and check the steering is totally free to turn, slowly, left and right, engine off and engine idling. It needs looking at immediately, sounds like it MIGHT be something you would want fixing straight away, given tyres and rims are not the usual ridiculous nonsense. So if wheels do or do not move freely doing the suggested test. What do you think it would be? Sounds like you have an idea. I may pop back up there and get them to look at the caster angle. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 If there's any stiffness it could cause what you describe. So could having sod all caster angles on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaleskin Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 If there's any stiffness it could cause what you describe. So could having sod all caster angles on it. Just done the quick test as you suggested Chris. With engine off moving left to right and back again it's smooth and very light. Engine running, also smooth and lighter. Felt like a fiat 500 in city mode when turning. I'll try and get the company to look at my front caster. Would there be a reason why they didn't check this? Ie. A visual sign and they thought "better not"? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Who knows? I would also make sure nothing is bent or loose at the back end, it could be rear steer. So hard to say without the seat of the pants feel of driving it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trebor69 Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 My last Supra used to wander quite a lot and it was the shocks, they looked fine with no leaks, a garage also said they were fine but the wandering only went away when I replaced them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaleskin Posted February 11, 2016 Author Share Posted February 11, 2016 That's completely understandable. Well, I'll get them to check castor but will wind dampers in fully tight and see if that helps? Is there any tests I can try with the shocks? Thanks for the feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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