Rolling when changing lanes

Chris 180SX · April 10, 2010, 17:17

Hi guys, just having a bit of a problem with the car's handling...

Everything was fine yesterday on the motorway at speed nice and tight firm and just normal, also quick round roundabouts, nice and flat.

Then today I take the car out and get up to speed (70) on the motorway and change lanes and the car seems to "wallow" and roll disconcertingly. It is less noticable at low speeds but you can tell the car is nowhere near as flat, and at speed feels worrying. I checked my tyres, they were 2psi above on all so lowered to 26/32 - this made little difference. I had a quick look under and the sway bars seem attached, and nothing visibly seems broken/falling off!

I was just wondering if anyone had any idea what this is likely to be?

Many thanks s:)

s:)

Anonymous · April 10, 2010, 18:00

Are you sure you wern't on a 'rolling road'? s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Now over to someone sensible ...

markiii · April 10, 2010, 18:13

did you check teh arb links when you checked the arbs?

are they standard links?

Chris 180SX · April 10, 2010, 19:13

Thanks for the response, and yes they are standard - I didn't do much with the links but they look as I'd expect.. It seems the roll is coming from the rear... The car has 84000 miles by the way

markiii · April 10, 2010, 19:19

unlikely but i'ved heard of it happening

have you snapped a spring?

are you running crash bolts, have they slipped?

Chris 180SX · April 10, 2010, 19:22

Not sure what crash bolts are, the car is stock though.. Went for a drive with my dad and he suggested either shocks or a snapped spring. The effect was immediate from perfect handling to very bad, as if there was no gradual wear, just an immediate failure...

Anonymous · April 10, 2010, 19:28

Out of interest was this when moving from lane one to lane two?

I only say this because of the nasty heavy trucks mainly using lane one, the constant heavy pounding by the heavies leaves a nice rutted tram line which can even make 44 tons of artic wallow s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

markiii · April 10, 2010, 19:29

if you or a previous owner had trouble getting the alignment in spec you can get smaller bolts for the hub to shock joint to allow more movement.

they are called crash bolts as they are often needed on cars that have been in a shunt trouble is being smaller than teh holes (to allow adjustment) they can slip

that said with the mileage and symptoms, I'm with your dad

blown shock or snapped spring

Chris 180SX · April 10, 2010, 19:34

Ah thanks, silly question but the springs if they are snapped would be able to be moved by hand a bit, would they? Just not too sure on diagnosing further...

markiii · April 10, 2010, 19:41

well i can move a none snapped one by hand

and I've never experienced one snap

suppose it depends on where it snaps

Chris 180SX · April 10, 2010, 19:45

Hmmm guess I'll be jacking up and reporting back tomorrow, thanks for all your help s:D

s:D

mrzwei · April 10, 2010, 20:18

Just to eliminate the shocks, press down on each corner, there should be significant resistance on the downward push and the car should return to the 'stock ' position with only one and a bit bounces. Also, all of the corners should respond in the same way. If not then it's possible it's a shock. If there are signs of fluid leakage then that would be another pointer. Not many posts that I can remember about failed shocks on here so it's just about eliminating a possible variable really.

Chris 180SX · April 10, 2010, 20:49

Thanks I did try that they all were quite firm but came back the same with just the rebound, no bouncing.. No visible leaks either.. I have been listening to the car and over bumps I do hear more of a knocking from the right rear but not sure if I'm getting paranoid now!

markiii · April 10, 2010, 21:00

Quote from: "mrzwei"Just to eliminate the shocks, press down on each corner, there should be significant resistance on the downward push and the car should return to the 'stock ' position with only one and a bit bounces. Also, all of the corners should respond in the same way. If not then it's possible it's a shock. If there are signs of fluid leakage then that would be another pointer. Not many posts that I can remember about failed shocks on here so it's just about eliminating a possible variable really.

themselves

personal experience when doing this press on teh actal shock towers

otherwise you can dent the wings

mrzwei · April 10, 2010, 22:11

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: good point, but you know what I mean

Chris 180SX · April 11, 2010, 10:59

Just to update, I've had the car up and wheels off - every spring is solid, all suspension components are very firm, no goo from ball joints, no evidence of bush wear anywhere! So I kind of am presuming I'll have to look at new shocks, what do people think of the kyb ones on camskill (for about 260 a set?)

markiii · April 11, 2010, 11:00

kyb make teh oem shocks so are a good make, but if budget allows I'd look at an upgrade whilst your doing ti

Chris 180SX · April 11, 2010, 11:09

I'd love to upgrade, and I like the look of lowered ones much more (25-30mm I think is ok) BUT the roads are really so bad round here that the ride is definitely as firm as I'd want it to be honest s:(

s:( I went done this route with my 180sx with coilovers and harder bushes etc but doing my 500 mile a week commute it just became painful! s:(

s:(

markiii · April 11, 2010, 11:10

TTE Springs won;' affect the ride quality noticeably but they will improve teh handling and teh looks

uktotty · April 11, 2010, 11:19

Sounds mad but check your tyre pressures, I had issues with this and it was low tyre pressures or inconsitant ones

Chris 180SX · April 11, 2010, 11:38

Quote from: "uktotty"Sounds mad but check your tyre pressures, I had issues with this and it was low tyre pressures or inconsitant ones

Hi thanks, I did think of this - all were 2psi above book but changing them did not resolve s:(

s:(

newboi · April 11, 2010, 11:56

Quote from: "markiii"TTE Springs won;' affect the ride quality noticeably but they will improve the handling and the looks

+1

I fitted some Tein springs yesterday and the ride quality is pretty much the same but handling & looks improved. IMO spend money on some quality springs and the ride quality won't be affected (Tein, TTE, Eibach).

markiii · April 11, 2010, 12:30

Quote from: "uktotty"Sounds mad but check your tyre pressures, I had issues with this and it was low tyre pressures or inconsitant ones

he did that first

Chris 180SX · May 29, 2010, 15:33

Hi chaps, just to update I fitted new shocks, droplinks all round and track rod ends, and the problem is still there!! (Possibly getting worse) Just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions? s:)

s:)

Ilogik · May 29, 2010, 15:57

Does it feel like the back end wants to swing round? I had this, it went once the tyres were replaced first time round.

I found sometimes i experiance it when i drive my car now, but it only ever happened's on one road, im wondering if the road is strange or acts as a wind trap getting under the car hence why you feel it less at lower speeds.