MX-5 feeling unstable at high speeds?
Discussion
Hi guys
I'm having problems with my Mazda, I keep having to turn the steering wheel on the motorway to stay in a straight line. If I was to acclerate hard the car wants to drift about the place,
I described this to my mechanic, We fitted a new set of Pirelli Pzeros and he checked the suspention where there was no obvius fault, did the tracking which was out but sadly it dosn't seem to have fixed the problem.
Any body got any idea what could be causing this?
Cheers Stuart
I'm having problems with my Mazda, I keep having to turn the steering wheel on the motorway to stay in a straight line. If I was to acclerate hard the car wants to drift about the place,
I described this to my mechanic, We fitted a new set of Pirelli Pzeros and he checked the suspention where there was no obvius fault, did the tracking which was out but sadly it dosn't seem to have fixed the problem.
Any body got any idea what could be causing this?
Cheers Stuart
stu_the_flat said:
Hi guys
I'm having problems with my Mazda, I keep having to turn the steering wheel on the motorway to stay in a straight line. If I was to acclerate hard the car wants to drift about the place,
I described this to my mechanic, We fitted a new set of Pirelli Pzeros and he checked the suspention where there was no obvius fault, did the tracking which was out but sadly it dosn't seem to have fixed the problem.
Any body got any idea what could be causing this?
Cheers Stuart
When you say 'checked the suspension', do you know what he did? Was it a visual check and a shake to see if anything moved that shouldn't, or did he measure the geometry?I'm having problems with my Mazda, I keep having to turn the steering wheel on the motorway to stay in a straight line. If I was to acclerate hard the car wants to drift about the place,
I described this to my mechanic, We fitted a new set of Pirelli Pzeros and he checked the suspention where there was no obvius fault, did the tracking which was out but sadly it dosn't seem to have fixed the problem.
Any body got any idea what could be causing this?
Cheers Stuart
My first reaction would be suspension geometry, which a proper alignment should sort out. Will cost about £75 or so from a garage that knows what they're doing. Whereabouts are you based? The most popular place seems to be Wheels in Motion who specialise in the MX5; they're down south somewhere.
stu_the_flat said:
If I was to acclerate hard the car wants to drift about the place,
Thrust angle?As above really if all he did was the tracking on the front wheels.... well he probably wasted his time. If you didn't get a print out with Caster(front only), camber and toe. Then you need to find a place that does a full 4 wheel alignment. Not sure where does that in Glasgow. But look for the words Laser, Alignment and Hunter.
My money would be on a full alignment to start. If there are suspension issues/damage such as distressed bushes etc a good mech should spot them.
For what its worth, my mk1 felt much more stable at hi speed after having a proper 4 wheel, which includes thrust angle, alignment (WIM fast road settings).
For what its worth, my mk1 felt much more stable at hi speed after having a proper 4 wheel, which includes thrust angle, alignment (WIM fast road settings).
It could be any number of things but alignment is the most likely and if the garage only did a front wheel tracking then you've just wasted whatever money that cost as it only adjusts toe whereas an MX5 needs to have front & rear toe, front & rear camber and front caster all done together and all in relation to each other. The only way to do that is with full 4-wheel laser alignment which will cost a minimum of £60 and could go as high as £150 depending on how much it needs adjusting/alignment bolts replacing. I'd budget for £100 and be happy if it cost less/pee'd off if it cost more.
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 28th July 12:46
As already said, it's most likely to need an alignment (the geometry setup is adjustable on MX-5s).
Also, a cheap modification which improves an MX-5s high speed stability is to fit a front splitter if you don't have one. I was very surprised how much a small mod like that improved my car. They're difficult to come by second hand and expensive new, but worth having I'd say.
This is the type I have:
Also, a cheap modification which improves an MX-5s high speed stability is to fit a front splitter if you don't have one. I was very surprised how much a small mod like that improved my car. They're difficult to come by second hand and expensive new, but worth having I'd say.
This is the type I have:
durbster said:
As already said, it's most likely to need an alignment (the geometry setup is adjustable on MX-5s).
Also, a cheap modification which improves an MX-5s high speed stability is to fit a front splitter if you don't have one. I was very surprised how much a small mod like that improved my car. They're difficult to come by second hand and expensive new, but worth having I'd say.
+1Also, a cheap modification which improves an MX-5s high speed stability is to fit a front splitter if you don't have one. I was very surprised how much a small mod like that improved my car. They're difficult to come by second hand and expensive new, but worth having I'd say.
I have the same and was surprised that it made a difference to straight-line stability on the motorway.
ETA - nice Miata btw!
Edited by bluetone on Thursday 29th July 10:03
A2Z said:
That's the cheaper "ghetto" alternative. There is an "official" MX5 part as well. The Laguna one is so close that it does the job.Munter said:
A2Z said:
That's the cheaper "ghetto" alternative. There is an "official" MX5 part as well. The Laguna one is so close that it does the job. )They do scrape on speed bumps or coming off dropped pavements if you're not careful so it makes sense. I don't think many people would be happy if they'd bought a brand new car and it did that.
The MX5 IS very close to being a race car chassis and is very adjustable.
Front: toe, camber & caster
Rear: toe & camber
When set by someone who knows what they are doing, the car can be setup to understeer, oversteer, bias towards turning left or right or to be benign.
These settings will tend to drift out over time. Potholes, curbs, wear & tear etc. all have an effect. Getting it reset properly is the best money you can spend on them.
Don't waste your money on simple "tracking". It's more likely to cause problems than fix them.
Front: toe, camber & caster
Rear: toe & camber
When set by someone who knows what they are doing, the car can be setup to understeer, oversteer, bias towards turning left or right or to be benign.
These settings will tend to drift out over time. Potholes, curbs, wear & tear etc. all have an effect. Getting it reset properly is the best money you can spend on them.
Don't waste your money on simple "tracking". It's more likely to cause problems than fix them.
MX-5 Lazza said:
The MX5 IS very close to being a race car chassis and is very adjustable.
Front: toe, camber & caster
Rear: toe & camber
When set by someone who knows what they are doing, the car can be setup to understeer, oversteer, bias towards turning left or right or to be benign.
These settings will tend to drift out over time. Potholes, curbs, wear & tear etc. all have an effect. Getting it reset properly is the best money you can spend on them.
Don't waste your money on simple "tracking". It's more likely to cause problems than fix them.
Thanks for the reply Lazza,Front: toe, camber & caster
Rear: toe & camber
When set by someone who knows what they are doing, the car can be setup to understeer, oversteer, bias towards turning left or right or to be benign.
These settings will tend to drift out over time. Potholes, curbs, wear & tear etc. all have an effect. Getting it reset properly is the best money you can spend on them.
Don't waste your money on simple "tracking". It's more likely to cause problems than fix them.
I am considering taking the car to Micheldever Tyres in Winchester - They have I believe one of the most advanced tracking/alignment setups in the world. A friend told me that It'll cost up to £150 for the four wheel alignment (depending on how much rear adjustment is needed) but I feel a bit undecided!
The car does feel a bit floaty at high speed, and I would really love to cure it!
Matt.
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