Handling - Concern

[N4eay]

Hi all,

 

Looking for some advice.

Car details are - 313HR - 37k miles, standard suspension with 20/25mm spacer setup.

 

Over the last couple of months I have noticed the following.

When going quite fast 80+ in a straight line, the front end seems to feel a bit vague / loose, also when cornering over rutted tarmac surfaces the front seem to jump / move around more than it should / use to.

 

Things that maybe contributing to this in my view:-

• I have been told by the guys at Horsham Dev and the MOT report that the compression are bushes are starting to de-laminate, no knocking at the moment.
  
• Rear tyres are 6 month old Goodyear Eagle F1's
  
• Front tyres are 4 year old Bridgestone RE050a - no advisory's picked up by MOT.
  

I'm guessing that it may be a factor of old tyres and worn bushes, but maybe not.....?

 

Cheers

Nick

[Husky]

You're going to get an earfull for not having matched tyres

[N4eay]

I know, but at the time, rears needed doing and fronts were / are OK.

[370Ad]

On the same axle it should be fine.

 

I would say get the compression arm bushes changed and then get it the car properly aligned.

 

Also if it was me get the spacers taken off, they are the devils child

[N4eay]

Thanks, was thinking about taking the spacers off, but hate the look after. Can't justify some 19". Would leaving the spacers on the rear and taking the fronts off then doing an alignment be stupid? I could live with the fronts not having spacers......

[jimboy2]

I would say compression arm bush. You probably won't hear it knock unless the ball joint has gone too.

 

Mine completely failed and never knocked once. Just made a groaning noise when turning hard left.

[370Ad]

Thanks, was thinking about taking the spacers off, but hate the look after. Can't justify some 19". Would leaving the spacers on the rear and taking the fronts off then doing an alignment be stupid? I could live with the fronts not having spacers......

 

I don't think the Z looks too bad at standard height without spacers. I do agree when lowered the wheels tuck way too much.

 

I think leaving just the rears on might look a bit silly in all honestly.

[rabbitstew]

When my front tyres were getting low I found my 313 HR was all over the shop, especially on roads around town. The steering felt really horrible, the car was trying to follow the camber of the road. Once I had new tyres fitted, the difference was amazing. I went for the same make/model (falken 452) tyres so it was just old tyres vs new.

[N4eay]

Thanks, I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get new front tyres and the bushes done. Annoying that these bushes fail so quickly, only 37k...........

[Ebized]

Have you checked the tyre pressures are correct?

 

Spacers are not going to be connected with the issue you have, but a 4-wheel alignment may be a good idea.

 

Have the Horsham guys tested the car? If not then I suggest you get them or another specialist to do that before potentially spending money on things that don't need changing.

[N4eay]

Yeah pressures are all good, thanks for the point about the spacers. It was fine when I put them on a year ago.

Must be a combination of old crappy Bridgestones and the bushes. Cheers

[Ekona]

Tyres are an easy thing to sort, so definitely do that first and go from there.

[Bodyboarder81]

Thanks, I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get new front tyres and the bushes done. Annoying that these bushes fail so quickly, only 37k...........

 

Mine began to delaminate at 28k ..... H-Dev sorted them . It's a known issue with the zeds unfortunately .