Hello,

I am having a rather frustrating issue with my S2000, it drives badly, and I believe there might be something wrong with the suspension.

It started after I got a new set of tires for the back and I took it to alignment (the same day). I got a flat on the freeway, and replaced both tires on the back. On the same day of replacing the tires on the back the car was taken for an alignment.

After that it drove ok for a week, but then rapidly degraded to the point that its tram-lining aggressively, feels wobbly, as it feels as if a gusts of wind is pushing it left and right. The car doesn't pull to one particular side, and it happens when accelerating, breaking or whenever.

It feels as if something is loose in the suspension or if one of the tires is about to come off. There are no noises or vibrations


I immediately replaced the tires on the front to match the ones on the back and checked tire pressures. No difference, same problem. I also took it into the suspension shop to check it again, they found it still within spec, and did not find anything wrong. I then took the car and replaced the hankook evos with mitchellin super sports, all 4 and took it to an alignment at a differen shop. Same scenario, same results).


The car drove ok for another week, and quickly degraded, I took it for an alignment again, and they noticed that the front was not holding the alignment, but once corrected, the car felt the same, no improvement.

The suspension was inspected and I took it for a diagnostic, found the front and back suspensions to be solid

I know there is something wrong with the car, it scares me to drive it, but I don't know how to approach it? What should I look for? The mechanical shop recommended me to take it back to the alignment shop and troubleshoot it once we find out what goes out of spec.

I don't know much about suspensions to form an educated guess or to take the right decision, any assistance would be appreciated.

 

were the wheels properly balanced?

 

Maybe broken sway bar links?

 

check upper control arms theyre weak

 

post your alignment numbers from the print out.

also brand new tires have a release agent from the mold which can cause a loose feeling. it should go away after 100 miles or so

 

Yeah I'd say post your numbers. its surely not tire balance or the tires being new.

What year? stock wheels?

Make sure you dont have the rims in the wrong spots. You know wide rims go in the back.

 

interested to see what your rear toe is...excessive toe in rear will make the car turn great however straightline stability diminished.

 

Make sure none of the adjustment bolts came loose.

 

Obviously you have to be really mechanically inept to do it, but I have seen it quite a few times. I cant believe it when I see it. The lugs do reach. But you can imagine what a disaster is waiting as the rim has no contact with the rotor.

Last car I had this with complained of violent shaking. I jacked up the front, spun the left wheel it was perfectly true (think about how hard or lucky that is to do with the wrong rim)

but the right had about 2 inches of runout

I doubt this is the case with the OP, but hey you NEVER know till you check.

Even after all his alignments, you never know till you check for loose bolts, worn parts, bad settings yourself.

 

A major reason I have seen for tramlining is type of tires combined with road surface... did you change tire size? I know this sounds stupid but think about where and when you have had this problem. Could this problem be new and intermittent because you have new tires on some occasional varied surfaces?

Another issue I have seen is the wrong tires mounted on the wrong wheels... front / rear confused. Too wide a tire in a narrow rim can feel the way you describe your problem.

I know I used to really be prepared for severe tramlining when I had my track tires mounted and drove certain roads with smooth but very uneven surface.