New to the forum but done lots to my car

[dmbm525i]

Hi there,
I'm new to the forum but am also a member on the other MR2 owners club.  I've owned the car since December 2016 and it's a Facelift 2003 car. Done so far:

changed all the suspension bushes (except for the antiroll bars)
changed the clutch, just finished last week
changed the rear passenger side brake caliper also last week
Changed two o2 sensors
Waxoyled the arches and did a wee bit of painting underneath.

The car is on 63,000 odd miles

I still have one annoying problem, the handling while changing gear is not good.  It tends to steer from side to side most notably at the front.  I know this may have been discussed in the forum but finding the info is not easy. 

Can anyone help?  I feel I am a few tweaks away from having a decent car.

[Call the midlife!]

Welcome.
Sounds like a stupid answer but I'd guess your tracking is way off and while you've got both hands on the wheel you're counter steering to compensate for it.
Then when you take a hand off to change gear the steering wins.


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[dmbm525i]

Hi there,
Many thanks for replying,  I sort of hoping someone out there has had the same experience and has the definitive answer.  That is the next port of call.  I forgot to mention I have different tyres front and rear,  matching maxxis on one end and matching falkens on the other.

[shnazzle]

Hi there and welcome!
Further supporting CTM's post above; sounds like a good ol' go through your geometry should sort it out.

More sinister answers are rotted rear subframe (from below), power steering malfunction, or universal steering joing (under front plastics).

But I'd put my money were CTM put his.

2 different tyre makes on each axle is not the best, but it certainly wouldn't cause this.
If the rear tyres are near end of life it may be worth thinking of a full set.

Keep us posted on progress

[Carolyn]

Just asking:

What size tyres are you using, front and rear?

Standard on a Facelift car is 215 rear 185 front. 

You probably know that but it does have a big effect.

[Ardent]

Hello an welcome.

[delhusband]

Hi, welcome!

[Bernie]

Welcome along 4 wheel alignment as has been said would be next also assume you know about correct tyre pressures 26 F 32 R they are very sensitive to even 2lb difference

[dmbm525i]

Hi there,
Thanks for the advice, I think that is the next step.  My sub frame is sound.  The tyres have loads of wear both front and rear.  I will check tyre pressures tomorrow I do think the fronts are over inflated.  I will arrange this week and see how that goes.  Having done the suspension it appears to me that there is not alot of adjustment in the suspension. I forgot to mention in my original post that I installed some Hard-race rear tracking arms.

[Call the midlife!]

Hi there,
Thanks for the advice, I think that is the next step.  My sub frame is sound.  The tyres have loads of wear both front and rear.  I will check tyre pressures tomorrow I do think the fronts are over inflated.  I will arrange this week and see how that goes.  Having done the suspension it appears to me that there is not alot of adjustment in the suspension. I forgot to mention in my original post that I installed some Hard-race rear tracking arms.

Adjustable arms? And which ones as there's 3 on the rear? To be honest it sounds like you've got a whole lot of different issues there, any one of which would give you some problems but all together is a bit of a recipe for trouble.
Get everything set to basic standards and you should notice a world of difference in the handling.


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[Ardent]

525
Just for clarity.
Your 1st post says changed suspension bushes.
A later post, you have done the suspension.  Is that new shocks and springs?
How old are the tyres?

[The Other Stu]

I'd also recommend checking all the torque settings, particularly the lower suspension arm - it should be quite high.

Mine was loose and the car tried to kill me!

[1979scotte]

New bushes is always a good idea.
If you fitted new suspension arms have you had it aligned since?
After 63k a whole suspension refresh is probably in order to get the best out of the car.
Also quality tyres really bring the car to life Yoko AD08R are highly regarded.

Plenty of good advice above work your way through it.

[K T M Rider]

Then when you take a hand off to change gear the steering wins.

I suppose the OP would have mentioned by now if it's an SMT 

[Call the midlife!]

Then when you take a hand off to change gear the steering wins.

I suppose the OP would have mentioned by now if it's an SMT 

True! How's that lovely refreshed suspension of yours performing?
Do you go through Gilberdyke much? Someone on Facebook had spotted a blue one the other day.


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[K T M Rider]

Tying in with what Scotte has said above your enquiry about my suspension is also very relevant to the OP as my car is broadly similar (03 FL 65k miles).

(For the OP's benefit I've fitted new New KYBs + New Tein 30mm lowering springs + New AD08Rs) total cost about £800 and an utter bargain - car feels fabulous to drive now (taut / supple / controlled /  noticeably sharper turn in and masses of grip ).

In essence instead of a car that was pretty great fun but felt a little tired at times I've got a car that's Epic fun and feels almost brand new.

Had to remind myself of where Gilberdyke was on the map - no not me (I have been known to venture into Howden and North Cave which are a few miles either side of it though  )

[Call the midlife!]

Tying in with what Scotte has said above your enquiry about my suspension is also very relevant to the OP as my car is broadly similar (03 FL 65k miles).

(For the OP's benefit I've fitted new New KYBs + New Tein 30mm lowering springs + New AD08Rs) total cost about £800 and an utter bargain - car feels fabulous to drive now (taut / supple / controlled /  noticeably sharper turn in and masses of grip ).

In essence instead of a car that was pretty great fun but felt a little tired at times I've got a car that's Epic fun and feels almost brand new.

Had to remind myself of where Gilberdyke was on the map - no not me (I have been known to venture into Howden and North Cave which are a few miles either side of it though  )

Yeah, that's why I thought it might be you!


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[StuC]

Welcome along

Agree with the geo as the next step. Let us know how it goes.

[dmbm525i]

Hi there,
My original post may have been light on a few details.  So suspension wise i have done the following:
Rear:
The trailing arm in the back have poly bushes at both ends
The arms that come from the sub frame to the hub have poly bushes at the sub frame end
The control arms (the ones for alignment adjustment) have been replaced with Hardrace adjustable arm.
The bush in the rear hub have been replaced with one of the lexus bushes that requires the arm to be drilled out to 15mm or there about
I have not changed anything on the springs or shocks they are what was on the car when I bought it.

Front:
I got a second hand set of wishbones and stripped them of ball joints and bushes.
Ball joint were replaced and bushes change to poly bushes

All components that were removed or stripped and powder coated a blue to match the Hardrace arms.

Just today I had a four wheel alignment done.  This has all but eliminated the sensation for involuntary steering. The tyre shop used Hunter Engineering equipment to do the alignment and this has made a big difference, they charged me £39 to do the job.  The car feel more square if that makes sense.

My next task is to get the tyre pressures adjusted.  I am going to use a mountain bike suspension pump to get a reading, these can let out air to adjust pressure.  Fronts should be 28psi and the rear 32psi it think.  I will write on here about how that goes.

The poster who made reference to it being a mess is right in the sense every thing was removed and alignment would most definitely have been out. 

[Call the midlife!]

All good to hear! Apologies, I wasn't suggesting your set up was a "mess", just in need of setting up properly after the strip down like you said.



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[Ardent]

26 front.
You might find a little sticky label in the bottom of the glove box for ref.

[dmbm525i]

Hi there,
Cheers