Floating Feeling + Slightly Sideways at speed

sadhvikv · October 8, 2015, 19:53

Hey all,

Wondering if anyone can offer me some advice on an issue which has recently cropped up, I've noticed that my car seems like it's driving at a very slight angle towards the left (almost like I'm slightly drifting all the time!). The seriously worrying issue is that at speed I feel like I'm floating along the road, like my tyres aren't connected to the road, it's a very disorientating feeling and becomes much worse when I try to overtake where it feels like the car becomes very unpredictable (that sideways+floating feeling gets even worse).

Any ideas on what could be going on?

Ardent · October 8, 2015, 20:00

first things first

What tyres on on the car
are they all the same
what are the pressures

sadhvikv · October 8, 2015, 20:08

Quote from: "Ardent"first things first

What tyres on on the car
are they all the same
what are the pressures

Apologies, should've given more info:

Yoko AD08r's
Front: 185/55/15 28psi
Rear: 215/45/16 32psi

Had the tyres for about 1 month, tyre pressure regularly checked.

StuC · October 8, 2015, 20:32

Tracking been checked recently?

Are you a FL or a PFL?

sadhvikv · October 8, 2015, 20:45

Quote from: "StuC"Tracking been checked recently?

Are you a FL or a PFL?

FL

Alignment done 2 weeks ago, the car felt amazing for a couple of days then the above issue started to become apparent, dropped a call to the mechanic earlier today and he asked me to bring the car in tomorrow for him to have a look around.

Ardent · October 8, 2015, 20:48

couple of psi high at the front

StuC · October 8, 2015, 20:57

Might sound silly, but has something worked loose after the alignment?

Wheel nuts still tight?

Topdownman · October 8, 2015, 21:51

Have you thought about your shock absorbers?

A few people have said their car is transformed by replacing the old ones even though they still appear to be "ok".

I have a lot more confidence in mine after I replaced the 11 year old originals (I went for coilovers but new standard shocks should be a vast improvement).

Jrichards20 · October 8, 2015, 21:59

Check the steering rack. Did you go over a bump hard or anything like that. See if there any cracks etc. could be a range of things. Check everything from A-B. Tyres, then sticking brakes, suspension, steering rack, lower then upper steering UJ. Tracking etc etc

Anonymous · October 8, 2015, 22:26

Quote from: "StuC"Might sound silly, but has something worked loose after the alignment?

Wheel nuts still tight?

My thoughts too. I think this could be the reason, it seems strange the alignment was done and it felt great and now this.

I'd put Stu's money on it, in fact s:D

s:D

Alex Knight · October 9, 2015, 00:52

My money is on goosed shocks.

Mine did this, was the N/S/R shocker.

StuC · October 9, 2015, 10:13

Quote from: "Meeerrrk"I'd put Stu's money on it, in fact s:D s:D

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Thanks s;-) ;-) s;-)

sadhvikv · October 9, 2015, 17:54

So went in to the mechanic, he realigned the wheels free of charge and told me the toe was way out. He said if it goes out of alignment again he's going to do a good look around to see what's going on.

Went for a drive and it's magnificent...hopefully for more than a couple of days!

StuC · October 9, 2015, 18:10

Surely doing the alignment he would have seen anything that was loose, no?

Glad you are back to happy though. :-) :-) :-)

Jrichards20 · October 9, 2015, 18:41

Quote from: "StuC"Surely doing the alignment he would have seen anything that was loose, no?

Glad you are back to happy though. :-) :-) :-)

This...

Knowing that the alignment was recently done and toe drifted, first thing to check would be why toe has moved?

Anonymous · October 9, 2015, 19:47

Sounds like something was left loose, so it's moved. All sorted though.

Stu, I won you some money s:D

s:D

StuC · October 9, 2015, 19:58

Woohoo! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

sadhvikv · October 9, 2015, 20:13

Quote from: "Topdownman"Have you thought about your shock absorbers?

A few people have said their car is transformed by replacing the old ones even though they still appear to be "ok".

I have a lot more confidence in mine after I replaced the 11 year old originals (I went for coilovers but new standard shocks should be a vast improvement).

Is there a particular interval that one should replace shocks? My car has done 70k miles

Ardent · October 9, 2015, 22:00

particular interval - probably not. So many variables.

Due for a freshen up? I would say say so.

Topdownman · October 9, 2015, 22:26

Mine was on 70k too when I had the suspension changed.

A point that has been made before though is that we want these cars to handle well and be a joy to drive. Most people running cars of this age are just looking for cheap transport so dont care about the feel (or expect much of) their old cars whereas we want them to feel as good as new!

Looks like you may be lucky having found a culprit but if you want to keep and use the car to its full potential its likely you will need new shocks at some stage to get the best out of the car.

Have you also looked into the steering U/J condition as thats another common problem?

sadhvikv · October 9, 2015, 22:36

Brilliant, thank you all for your responses, great community!

Really feeling this idea of freshening up my suspension, had a look around and sounds like KYB shocks all round seem like a well-priced good choice, is it worth getting new springs to go along with them? Or is it unlikely to make much difference using the old ones? If it is recommended to change the springs too I might consider some Tein lowering springs!

How much should I expect to pay a garage to get all this fitted+aligned?

Sorry for the endless questions but you guys are quite the fountain of knowledge!

Ardent · October 9, 2015, 23:02

No short answer to this one.

I am running exactly what you are considering. KYB excel G Shocks and Tein S Springs. I am very happy with this set up.
Many have gone the coily route and they are very happy also.

It is really down to you.
Only you know how the car is going to be used,
B Road barnstormer or track.

Fitting is one thing tracking properly is quite another. I went to a specialist in each.

I would consider it false economy not to replace the springs at the same time. These are comparatively cheap. I got mine for less than £120. No regrets. m http://www.futuremotorsports.com/home.php m

Are you on lowered now?

If you are handy with spanners you can do yourself. But do remember to prime the shocks prior to fitting. Often overlooked but important.

Jase

graham read · October 11, 2015, 09:14

HAD my tyres nos filled at ding day and feels a bit FLOATY, BUT BOY DOES IT STICK TO THE ROAD.

Carolyn · October 13, 2015, 19:25

I do hope you mean Nitrogen and not N2O (Nos). Nitrogen good N2O very bad/ let's just say it IS rocket fuel!

sadhvikv · October 16, 2015, 15:26

Okay, the same issue is reappearing again, going in on Monday to the garage for them to have a look again.