Handling Problems

Anonymous · February 24, 2005, 19:34

Has anyone felt like you're always correcting the rear end when travelling at 70+ mph. Its a weird unnerving feeling, the tyres should be ok, (toyo proxes T1-R's).

I've checked the tyre pressures and tried higher and lower pressures, lower seems slightly better but it still sways.

I'd really appreciate any ideas coz it's making driving a chore, instead of the fun it should be.

mrsmr2 · February 24, 2005, 19:47

Hi, there have been a number of posts about this recently. If you search, there's all sorts of stuff.

But no, it should not do that. Mine is incredibly stable - I'm quite happy doing those speeds on less than ideal road surfaces. Mine's actually very stable - it surprises me.

If yours is a pre 03 model then it might not be as tied down - but even then you shouldn't have to correct much at all.

A full wheel geometry check might be the answer.

kanujunkie · February 24, 2005, 20:06

mines fine at any speed up to the 130mph

not that i've ever tried it on the roads, really, never, no s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

Anonymous · February 24, 2005, 20:09

Mine is a bit strange at times - have you had not just tracking but 4 wheel laser alignment done?

Anonymous · February 24, 2005, 21:38

It was repaired after an accident recently, so should have had an alignment check done then.
I only got it back about 2 1/2 weeks ago, at first I wasn't sure if I was just paranoid or not, but I'm fairly sure its not me now. Especially if you guys say yours are fine at, ahem "higher", speeds.

I'll phone the garage in the morning, thanks for the feedback, and I'll post their findings

Anonymous · February 28, 2005, 12:28

Quote from: "plinc"Has anyone felt like you're always correcting the rear end when travelling at 70+ mph. Its a weird unnerving feeling, the tyres should be ok, (toyo proxes T1-R's).

I've checked the tyre pressures and tried higher and lower pressures, lower seems slightly better but it still sways.

I'd really appreciate any ideas coz it's making driving a chore, instead of the fun it should be.

Really shouldn't be like that. As others say, these cars are dead stable even at wel into 3 figure speeds. I wouldn't bank on the repairer having carried out a comprehensive=enough alignment check. Let us now what they say!

Anonymous · March 1, 2005, 20:26

Well, good news I think.
Took the car back to the garage this afternoon, they did another full alignment check to see if anything had moved since the repair, apparently it was as per spec and had not moved. Then one of the guys said oh s**t its the camber, sure enough if you stood about 10 feet back from the rear of the car you could see the rear o/s wheel had a positive camber. (must have hit the kerb with that wheel too, s:oops: :oops: s:oops: )
Anyway I left it with them, they said parts will be in Thursday should be done for Friday.
So fingures crossed it should handle like a proper 2 after that, I will update as soon as I get it back

kanujunkie · March 1, 2005, 20:37

ooh bugger s:shock: :shock: s:shock: can't beleive they hadn't checked that before

Anonymous · March 1, 2005, 20:48

At least its sorted now matey - let us know if that solves the problem!

Anonymous · March 1, 2005, 22:27

Can you also let us know how much it has cost to correct the camber please.

Anonymous · March 2, 2005, 20:45

Will ask for ya,
its an insurance job though so I'm not sure how realistic it will be

Anonymous · March 4, 2005, 13:13

Quote from: "plinc"another full alignment check to see if anything had moved since the repair, apparently it was as per spec and had not moved. Then one of the guys said oh s**t its the camber, sure enough if you stood about 10 feet back from the rear of the car you could see the rear o/s wheel had a positive camber.

Looks like that will be your problem! The alignment check is not very "full" if it doesn't check the camber.

GSB · March 4, 2005, 14:21

Quote from: "Andy S"
Quote from: "plinc"another full alignment check to see if anything had moved since the repair, apparently it was as per spec and had not moved. Then one of the guys said oh s**t its the camber, sure enough if you stood about 10 feet back from the rear of the car you could see the rear o/s wheel had a positive camber.

Looks like that will be your problem! The alignment check is not very "full" if it doesn't check the camber.

Especially as the adjustments for camber, toe, etc. are so interlinked on the MR2, you cant change one without altering the other.

If I were you, I'd request a full print out of thier findings on completion of the job. You want to know the camber, toe, caster, thrust angle... The whole works, for every wheel on the car. If they cant come up with that data, refuse to accept it until they do...

Personally I've had my fill of bodyshops cutting corners on my cars. Its the same every time. They phone to say your car is ready, and lo and behold its in a far from acceptable state. Last time I went I didnt even bother to cancel the hire car, I just knew it wouldnt be right. I just didnt realise how right I was going to be, they hadnt even painted the car the right bloody colour, add to the that the badges stuck on upside-down (I'm not kidding!), bolts missing from the front wings, and the fact that the car was still wearing the same slaughtered wheel trim from where the 3rd party blindman had backed into it. I demanded the job done right straight away, and stated I would be having the repair inspected directly after it was picked up...

No matter how good they say they are, none of the repairers will treat your car like its their own, unless you force them too. Dont take no for an answer, and refuse the car until its bloody perfect, thats what you pay your insurance for... If they wont play ball, phone your insurance company, who will set their resident rottweiler on them. Insurance companies are the bodyshops principle customer, and have a great deal of clout with these cretins.

Anonymous · March 4, 2005, 21:06

Well, I picked it up on the way home from work, drove home quite steadily, then after an hour or so I checked and dropped the tyre pressures to stock.
I told my other half I was just off round the block to do a quick test, anyway about an hour later I returned with a big smile + car still in one piece.
The difference was incredible, 100mph+ and no sway, grippy on the tight corners... ...fantastic!.. ...just feels more like I thought it should have done. That was probably the fist time I've really "driven" the car. s:)

s:)
Think I will take time to get used to it properly though, before it ends up right back a the repair shop, s:wink: :wink: s:wink: also would like to stiffen the chassy up a tad, + poss lowering it. Gutted the GB's finished for Corky's breast plate!

QuoteCan you also let us know how much it has cost to correct the camber please.

Sorry mate but the guy I asked didn't know and said the parts guy had gone home so couldn't find out till next week, I'll try again then

QuoteLooks like that will be your problem! The alignment check is not very "full" if it doesn't check the camber.

hmm make you wonder doesn't it

QuoteIf I were you, I'd request a full print out of thier findings on completion of the job

I only read your post after I'd got home with the car, it does feel tons better now though so there can't be much too far out.

Anonymous · March 4, 2005, 22:03

Quote from: "plinc".....100mph+ ......

Must be handy living close to a race circuit s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · March 4, 2005, 22:26

Donington is only 15 mins away from me, I could have been there, s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Anonymous · March 5, 2005, 09:40

Good to hear you've got it sorted.

Anonymous · March 6, 2005, 18:25

Thanks, it been a long slog

Anonymous · March 8, 2005, 10:59

ok, been pushing the car a little more as its been dry for a change.

I just can't seem to trust it in corners, I know its going to be a completely different experience than my last car, as it was fwd front mounted, but it does seem to "give" quite a bit at the back end in corners. Maybe its paranoia after the accident, or could be the camber problem just increased the sensation.
Any of you guys who live near Shepshed willing to drive my 2, so I can finally be sure if its just me or not, I can drive over to meet any evening or weekend.

kanujunkie · March 8, 2005, 11:59

Plinc,

cant help you with driving your 2, but what i would say is that when i first got my 2, it did feel slightly wrong, i felt as though the back end was going to step out all the time and that made me nervous to say the least. But given time the nerves have passed and now i actively try to step it out and have a bit of fun. I think you'll find that you just need to get used to it and if someone else try's your 2 then they'll say its fine or though i could be wrong. Give it a bit of time s:)

s:)

Anonymous · March 8, 2005, 12:34

Have you considered a driver training day matey, then you can guage the limits of the car and re-assure yourself?

Anonymous · March 8, 2005, 19:06

kanujunkie / bigun007
you have a point, and are probably both right, but my only worry is that if I find out later that there is a problem with the car then it may be too late to get it repaired on my insurance

Anonymous · March 8, 2005, 19:54

Quote from: "bigun007"Have you considered a driver training day matey, then you can guage the limits of the car and re-assure yourself?

Going to do that myself on a track day 1st of May

I like to think that I can drive it to the limits, but hopefully the professionals will show me how to get an even bigger grin factor out of "SLAPA" s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

kanujunkie · March 8, 2005, 23:07

Quote from: "plinc"kanujunkie / bigun007
you have a point, and are probably both right, but my only worry is that if I find out later that there is a problem with the car then it may be too late to get it repaired on my insurance

agreed so yeah get someone else to tell you but i bet ya my previous still stands

Les, i can't beleive your cars called Slapa!
and yes i did read the post as to why