Limited slips are nice. My pickup has the rear end spider gears welded. Very predictable but people jump when you turn sharp in a parking lot and the tires squeal. I love it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Schatten
[B]ahhhh.... your secretary said "bumpsteer".... ahhhhhh.

 

I know Prolene only got 5K miles out of his rears, but he drives extremely aggressively up and down the hills near his home. I think he gets more miles out of his tires now that he doesn't use the S02s anymore.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 2x6spds
[B]Hi Schatten

I had the new rear bumper painted and fitted by a really good shop, and it's now as good as new.

I wrote American Honda a letter today about the snakey handling in the wet. My secretary read it and suggested that maybe we do feel the effects of a bad differential even in the dry. "What about the bump steering?" she asked, "could that be related?" My jaw dropped. "How about the fact that your rear tires only last 5000 miles? Is that normal?"

 

It's interesting that you mention this 'squirrely' phenomenon! I had EXACTLY the same thing in my S2000. As you said, I was getting smacked around between the lumbar supports and it scared the HELL out of me.....so much so, that I pulled over to the side of the expressway and STOPPED!!! Very, VERY uneasy feeling.

I was on a concrete expressway (as opposed to bitumen), it had just finished raining and I was at approx 60mph. My rear end started thrashing about. My original S02's had about 12,200 miles on them so I guess you could say that they were shot. I should have known better than to drive the car, but I was going to get new 18" wheels/tires (which I have now) and I couldn't justify buying snow tires for a few weeks.

I think the problem could be with the combination of the rear tire's inability to expel water, coupled with the road surface and temperature. Maybe the fishtailing has to to with one tire losing traction while the other has traction, then the tires reversing roles. All within a split second, and continually. Probably is induced at highway speeds (higher wheel revolutions). I have the also clutch rattle but haven't taken my car in for the TSB yet. My differential also seems fine, and it hasn't done the 'squirreling' again since.

By the way, I checked my rear tires when I took them off a few days ago.....both inside edges were worn down to the cording, and one side had started wearing down to the steel belt!

 

It rained pretty hard for the first time here in Houston the other day. And I experienced the same thing driving in a strait line. I havn't replaced my tires yet and I have around 13000 miles on them.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mandrew
[B]It rained pretty hard for the first time here in Houston the other day.

 

I too, experienced this on a wet highway when I had 12-13,000 miles on the SO2's. Man, it was scary at 60 mph. Well, I decided two new tires would be cheaper than my insurance deductable, and I bought 2 Michelin Pilot Sports for the rear. Next time on the hwy in the rain, the rear stayed put. No wiggle at all.
I agree, that it has to be a combination of road surface and tread depth.
Don't take any chances! Get new tires especially if you have to drive in the rain on the hwy. Tires are a lot cheaper than having to get your S repaired after you put it in a ditch!
My $.02!!!!!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by firsts2k
[B]I too, experienced this on a wet highway when I had 12-13,000 miles on the SO2's.