Disconcerting swaying from the rear when lifting off
Discussion
When backing off from a reasonable speed the back of the car seems to sway slightly from side to side, it really doesn't feel planted like it should do. It's a horrible feeling really. Has anyone else experienced this and is it likely to be geometry related (I haven't had it done for about 4 years) or tyre related, as it has only started doing it since the rears were changed to a brand I had never heard of (don't blame me, my dad did it to get it to pass its MOT). Maybe they also didn't balance a wheel properly or something, but the weird thing is it only does it when lifting off at speeds over 50-55mph.
Its going in for a full service and geo and refresh of various things (like the failed speedo I recently posted about), but I'd like to be able to give the garage some pointers if anyone else has had it. If it is tyre-related and they aren't suitable for the car then I will get my dad to get the tyres changed at the garage's expense.
Its going in for a full service and geo and refresh of various things (like the failed speedo I recently posted about), but I'd like to be able to give the garage some pointers if anyone else has had it. If it is tyre-related and they aren't suitable for the car then I will get my dad to get the tyres changed at the garage's expense.
Could be wear in something like a toe link or ball joint.
Try jacking each side up and grabbing the wheel at the quarter to three position and giving it a good tug in each direction. Do the same with hands and 12 and 6. It should feel rock solid, if you feel play then you have a problem.
Try jacking each side up and grabbing the wheel at the quarter to three position and giving it a good tug in each direction. Do the same with hands and 12 and 6. It should feel rock solid, if you feel play then you have a problem.
zebedee said:
When backing off from a reasonable speed the back of the car seems to sway slightly from side to side, it really doesn't feel planted like it should do. It's a horrible feeling really. Has anyone else experienced this and is it likely to be geometry related (I haven't had it done for about 4 years) or tyre related, as it has only started doing it since the rears were changed to a brand I had never heard of (don't blame me, my dad did it to get it to pass its MOT). Maybe they also didn't balance a wheel properly or something, but the weird thing is it only does it when lifting off at speeds over 50-55mph.
Its going in for a full service and geo and refresh of various things (like the failed speedo I recently posted about), but I'd like to be able to give the garage some pointers if anyone else has had it. If it is tyre-related and they aren't suitable for the car then I will get my dad to get the tyres changed at the garage's expense.
Are you taking it to a specialist or Lotus main dealer? Best bet is a specisalist they will find the problem. Sounds more than just brand of tyres. Its going in for a full service and geo and refresh of various things (like the failed speedo I recently posted about), but I'd like to be able to give the garage some pointers if anyone else has had it. If it is tyre-related and they aren't suitable for the car then I will get my dad to get the tyres changed at the garage's expense.
That said as your know aware betting sticking to main tyres that Lotus community use / or that Lotus recommend.
This is always a good place to start. http://wiki.seloc.org/a/SELOC_TechWiki
Edited by Stu_00 on Wednesday 16th June 13:23
Scuffers said:
if it's rear-steering on the throttle, then the toe link(s) are buggered.
that fact you can notice it means they are VERY buggered, so stop driving it and sort it out before you have an accident.
This is a common fault - and as Scuffers mentioned stop driving it / take it in straight away as when these go you end up in a wall ! that fact you can notice it means they are VERY buggered, so stop driving it and sort it out before you have an accident.
its rear steering off the throttle, its only when you lift that something feels wrong. Tyre pressures are spot on, did them last week. It is going to a specialist in a week and I will drive very steadily home tonight and to the garage, and not inbetween!
Edited by zebedee on Wednesday 16th June 14:57
turns out it is the cheapo rear tyres my dad fitted - geometry done, car had similar problems, yoko's on on a back to back drive, felt much better. Sidewalls probably too stiff as they had a max load of 580kg each, so you could nearly get the full car on one of them! Just shows how sensitive they can be to the wrong tyres really, and how much it ruins everything the car is all about. The garage was horrified at how bad the car felt on them!
zebedee said:
turns out it is the cheapo rear tyres my dad fitted - geometry done, car had similar problems, yoko's on on a back to back drive, felt much better. Sidewalls probably too stiff as they had a max load of 580kg each, so you could nearly get the full car on one of them! Just shows how sensitive they can be to the wrong tyres really, and how much it ruins everything the car is all about. The garage was horrified at how bad the car felt on them!
So what tyres were they?Infinity (no I hadn't heard of them either!) My dad should have known better, but I suppose he trusted the tyre garage (who have since accepted they shouldn't have fitted them and have offered a full refund - but they can't fit the right tyres for me because only Lotus dealers sell Advan LTS's!
I am begining to really hate some small garages. My Grandparents had been sold some unbranded cheap tyres but sold for the sameprice as top brand tyres on black circle - they are complete rubbish too.
Some places seem to think you can get away with cheap crap/ but why skimp on the only contact with the road ahhhh!
Some places seem to think you can get away with cheap crap/ but why skimp on the only contact with the road ahhhh!
zebedee said:
the rears were changed to a brand I had never heard of (don't blame me, my dad did it to get it to pass its MOT).
I remember that thread;http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...
zebedee said:
Infinity (no I hadn't heard of them either!) My dad should have known better, but I suppose he trusted the tyre garage (who have since accepted they shouldn't have fitted them and have offered a full refund - but they can't fit the right tyres for me because only Lotus dealers sell Advan LTS's!
I got mine on the web and had them delivered to my local place for fitting.andy_s said:
zebedee said:
Infinity (no I hadn't heard of them either!) My dad should have known better, but I suppose he trusted the tyre garage (who have since accepted they shouldn't have fitted them and have offered a full refund - but they can't fit the right tyres for me because only Lotus dealers sell Advan LTS's!
I got mine on the web and had them delivered to my local place for fitting.Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff