Handling question
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Handling question
Got about 6k miles on the car, stock, original tires. Would estimate about half tread left on rears and more on the fronts. Very occasionally, like once a month or so, I notice that when taking a fairly tight but sweeper type corner (50-60mph) the wheel does not unwind totally smoothly. Almost always it is a corner were I can hold the wheel in a steady position until I want to start unwinding it. At that point the wheel resists the first effort to unwind it like the tire was in a groove or the steering somehow took a set. A little more effort and it unwinds smoothly and normally. It's not a big effect but I can feel it. If I was feeling it more often I would suspect something in the steering but most of the time it feels fine.
Anybody else see this or have an idea?
Anybody else see this or have an idea?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Santa Barbara, California
If this is a new car, are you sure the dealership removed the front & rear spring spacers (thick rubber between the springs)?
When I bought my car the dealership "forgot" so I drove it about 1400 miles until I noticed the gap from the top of my wheel to the fender was larger than another S2K in the neighborhood.
With the spacers in the car, I thought the handling was OK, but the ride stiff... Now with the spacers removed (as they should be) the ride is noticeably softer AND I can hang in corners better than before... Imagine that!
When I bought my car the dealership "forgot" so I drove it about 1400 miles until I noticed the gap from the top of my wheel to the fender was larger than another S2K in the neighborhood.
With the spacers in the car, I thought the handling was OK, but the ride stiff... Now with the spacers removed (as they should be) the ride is noticeably softer AND I can hang in corners better than before... Imagine that!
also check for nails and check tire pressure too
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Originally Posted by RED MX5,Apr 26 2006, 08:02 PM
Checking to make sure the spacers were removed, and checking the tires for damage and proper pressure are good ideas, but I don't see how either could cause the kind of stiction you describe. I haven't seen this before, but it is certainly not normal. If nobody comes up with an answer and Billman doesn't respond I'd suggest sending a PM to Billman. If it's happened to anyone else's car he's probably aware of it.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Bay Area
If you were turning at almost full lock, then the initial resistance to unwind is normal. What's hapenning is that your front wheels are almost side way and the force is forcing your wheels to go to the opposit direction from the unwinding direction. This happens everytime aon almost every car I've driven when I take a fast U turn.
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From: Long Island, New York
Put it in the air and feel the steering by hand. Sounds like someone hit a curb at one point and damaged the rack. Pop the tie rod ends and steering coupler and isolate the rack. Should be real easy to find at that point.
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