A week into my FD ownership now and have started to get a bit more confidence in my right foot - which has meant pushing her hard up to the limiter and changing at the ping. One thing that\'s worrying me is the tendency for her to pull to the left when i lift off to change up. It\'s quite a aggressive dip in to the left, which happens as soon as i dip the clutch at high revs on full boost and she straightens up again when i\'m back on the throttle.
This is the first rwd car I\'ve owned and wondered if it was torque steer, but seemed strange that it would happen when i lift off.... but i googled a few questions and it seems that most people who had this issue put it down to uneven tyre pressures at the rear. Now i have checked this and they\'re bother the same, but the tyres themselves are odd (different brand) and i figured this would have the same effect as differing pressures due to dirrerent grip levels and rolling resistance. I had planned on changing the ditchfinder to match the continental anyway as i know i shouldn\'t run odd rubber, then found a small screw in the shoulder of the conti - so I\'m looking at a new pair anyway... think the toyo offer the best value for money and i had them on my scoob so know they perform.
However, other than sorting the tyres, is there anything else that could cause this? It tracks fine when cruising, brakes in a straight line hard or gentle, coasts fine - it\'s just the dip when i lift off or dip the clutch at full throttle. Suggestions would be very helpful - particularly if there are things to check when she\'s up in the air getting her new boots fitted....
Thanks in advance!
Check your alignment, particularly your rear suspension.
Thanks for the swift reply.... the tyre wear appeared to be even so had kinda ruled that out, but will get it checked out - will know it\'s right then for sure. One of my mates suggested the diff bushes but i don\'t see how they would have that effect.... suspension bushes maybe but not the diff ones surely??
Also mate check your shocks ....if 1 is blown it will screw your handling.
First thing to check will be the often over looked tyre pressures.
However as Will suggests, get an alignment check/adjust carried out as this is a great investment for any FD.
BTW with all the wheels pointing the right way, doing 150+ in an FD should be now more drama than a Fiesta at 60:D
hope this helps
Quote from: boosted;832574Also mate check your shocks ....if 1 is blown it will screw your handling.
Good point as on every FD with stock shocks thats had 50k or more I\'ve come across have tended to be a bit sad :o
Tyre pressures checked and fine - first thing i did.... however the fact that they\'re odd can\'t be a good thing (the tyres that is - not the pressures obviously!)
Think i will get the alignment done while i\'m changing the rubber - like you said, it\'s definitely a worthwhile investment.
The shocks are not standard - they\'ve been changed at some point for harder ones, non adjustable but but about 20mm lower than original. There is no receipt for these in the history file though so i have no idea of the mileage (or pot holes) they\'ve covered.... although the car has only done 69k in total.
Thanks for the suggestions guys - much appreciated *nods*
Not sure I\'ll be doing 150 at any point in the near future to find out! Maybe if i do a track day at some stage, but just enjoying getting to relatively slower speeds more quickly than before for now!!! Need to get myself used to the beast first... its my first rwd and the fastest thing I\'ve driven, so i\'m not quite ready for hammering it just yet!
Odd tyres are a big no for me especial when it\'s left to right. They will have different levels of grip. I also used to have fish tailing issue although on acceleration when i first got my car because it had some 225 stretched on the back. Also you might want to think diff it could be damaged i guess particularly if it\'s aftermarket 2way.
Have no idea if the diff is standard or not - or how to tell to be honest!
Will take some pics when it\'s up in the air...
you prob have a worn bush on the rear somwhere
Get the tyres sorted first. Then see where you stand.
Yeah for sure... just wanted suggestions for things to check while it\'s in the air
for sure your 2 different tread pattern tyres arent going to make it pull unless you have different sizes fitted on the same axle, wheel alighnment would happen all the time not just when you let off, it has to be a worn bush or ball joint