48 replies to this topic

[Vinay-RS]

For the first time yesterday I had 4 people in the mini with a total mass of 260kg and while there was a definite change in the dynamics of the car I didn't expect what happened to happen.

 

As I turned onto the highway and I started accelerating to match the speed of traffic, but suddenly the whole car started swerving wildly and even though the roads are wide I was terrified that I had lost complete control and was going to cause a massive crash on the roads... we all saw our lives flash before our eyes at that moment.

 

I braked and slowed from around 90km/h to 50km/h and regained control. For the rest of the trip I drove at 60km/h with my arms and legs shivering badly.

[Guess-Works.com]

260kg's... light weights...

 

* edit *

 

Sorry could not resist.... I have no other explanation for what occurred, but I would be checking the suspension... Is the car lowered before you lightweights got in it ?

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 14 March 2015 - 08:44 AM.

[Vinay-RS]

Haha, yeah one of the guys weight 47kg  

 

Last October we fitted new front shocks and tie rod ends and changed the wheel bearings. What parts of the suspension could've cause it?

No, standard ride height on 145 tyres.

[90BHP]

As Guess-works has said suspension check. Standard ride height ? Camber, caster rear toe-in ?

Sounds like the back was trying to steer the front and may have been effected by the "slight" increase in rear weight and therefore weight distribution and ride height.

All sounds similar to the snaking car and trailer combinations see when the nose weight of the trailer is excessive....

Or tyre pressures !

Good luck getting it sorted

Edited by 90BHP, 14 March 2015 - 08:50 AM.

[Guess-Works.com]

A tyre which is low on pressure could have caused it, as well as a spot of diesel on the road...

[90BHP]

For the record I said tyre pressure same time as G-W !!!

[Yoda]

if you have soft rear suspension, and more weight in the back of the car, maybe the stance was tail down and affecting the tracking. If toeing out too much then it can cause a strange floaty steering feeling. I know it may not be relevant, but i have seen this so many times on golf buggies that have had steering repairs and the tracking not re set. 

 

Also too much toe out can cause "bump steer" which ties in with your description. any irregularities in the road surface will make the steering pull one side or t'other without warning.

Edited by Yoda, 14 March 2015 - 08:57 AM.

[Vinay-RS]

Thank you both so much, I will check the tyre pressures today. Hopefully it is something as simple as that.

[Vinay-RS]

Yoda, I recently had the wheel alignment sorted out, so it is a bit odd that it might still be an issue... though I guess I could get a friend to look at it and give me an idea of whether the wheel alignment is still off.

[Spider]

This happens when you've got toe OUT on the rear. That can be from worn Trailing Paim Pins or a bent arm (from hitting a kerb for example). It doesn't take much.

 

<Edit to correct incorrect term>

Edited by Moke Spider, 14 March 2015 - 09:36 AM.

[Ben_O]

Get your mates back in the car and someone of similar weight to you in the driving seat and then have a look how the car sits all round. i.e, any corners lower than the others. You can also see how the tyre pressures look physically with the weight in.

 

Might give you some insight?

[Vinay-RS]

worn Trailing Paim Pins

Uhm... I don't know what these are... a quick google search revealed nothing either

[90BHP]

I think that should be trailing arm pins ....

The pivot point of the rear radius arm ;)

[sonikk4]

Radius arm pins. If theses wear badly and cause damage to the bearings then they can cause crabbing and unpredictable handling.

[Spider]

 

worn Trailing Paim Pins

Uhm... I don't know what these are... a quick google search revealed nothing either

 

 

 

Bhaha,,,, sorry mate, butter fingers strikes again,,,,,

 

Trailing Arm Pins

Edited by Moke Spider, 14 March 2015 - 09:21 AM.