Wondering/lack of stability at high speeds

[RyanB88]

Hi

(Replaced my lollipops already which made a difference)

2006 3.0si E85

When driving at 70-100 (haven't gone any faster as it doesn't feel stable at all) the steering wheel seems to be all over the place. Very twitchy as soon as you hit around 70, all the way to 100 and I haven't dared to go any faster. My girlfriends F20 118d is more stable at 130mph than my e85 is at 70mph The wheels are all balanced fine and have new tyres all round.

The only plus side is my motorway fuel economy is better as my new cruising speed is 60mph, and luckily I don't do many motorway miles. But when I do I want this fixed!

Any ideas? I plan to do a Germany road trip in the near future so will need this sorted for then

 

[mjennings23]

Worn tie rods perhaps, or rear trailing arm bushes

 

[Tcochrane92]

First thing I'd check is geometry
When was the last time you had the alignment done?

 

[vester86]

when al the suspension parts are in good condition & bushings replaced, then some more toe in in the rear will solve that problem.

 

[RyanB88]

First thing I'd check is geometry
When was the last time you had the alignment done?

Never in my my ownership ... I see you're in leamington, anywhere nearby you'd reccomend?

 

[Buckz]

My coupe did the same with the 19csl reps I had, not sure if it was a combo of tyre+wheel and alignment or wheels/tyres alone.

After swapping wheels to 18s and tyres to eagle f1 as3s and getting a proper alignment it has been stable as hell even at high speeds.

 

[hopz121]

RTAB & Geometry would be my guess.

Take off some of the rear negative camber too for more stability at speed

 

[Tcochrane92]

First thing I'd check is geometry
When was the last time you had the alignment done?

Never in my my ownership ... I see you're in leamington, anywhere nearby you'd reccomend?

Sorry I don't have any recommendations. I haven't been here long
I would recommend using someone who has the Hunter Alignment system, not any other cheaper options

 

[Steve84N]

It's more about the person doing it than the machine. KwikFit have Hunter but often haven't got a scooby do whilst a specialist garage might use string and get a better result.

 

[Sgr74]

Mine is the same. I'm getting the 4 wheels done tomorrow. All bushes have been changed to poly now. Will let you know if it solves the problem.

 

[Newbers]

No one's mentioned tyres - am I missing something?

OP are you familiar with the sensitivity of these cars to tyres? Even swapping the fronts and the backs (if they are all the same size) will make a big difference.

If your tyres are OK then it'll be alignment.

 

[RyanB88]

No one's mentioned tyres - am I missing something?

OP are you familiar with the sensitivity of these cars to tyres? Even swapping the fronts and the backs (if they are all the same size) will make a big difference.

If your tyres are OK then it'll be alignment.

I've got four brand new uniroyal rainsport 3s all round - don't think they're the prob

Thanks all for your posts. I'll start with tracking and go from there!

 

[STUBOY2UK]

Hi mate, I had the same issue and took it to this place in Earlswood- http://www.online-autos.net/ for alignment. Problem solved.

It's out in the sticks and they prefer if you leave the car with them for a few hours, but worth it.

 

[ESP]

Broken rear spring!!

Might look ok from a quick glance, but they dont break in the middle, you'll be missing a inch or 2 / half a coil.

 

[kammy1975]

Broken rear spring!!

Might look ok from a quick glance, but they dont break in the middle, you'll be missing a inch or 2 / half a coil.

I had a broken rear spring, which didn't help, but after replacing springs the alignment made the biggest difference. You have eliminated tyres so thats what i would look at next.

And when you take it, ask the garage what they think could be the cause. They may spot something.

 

[Ewazix]

It's more about the person doing it than the machine. KwikFit have Hunter but often haven't got a scooby do whilst a specialist garage might use string and get a better result.

My 2.5 se suffered with tramlining which was eventually sorted by swapping to non-RFT Falken tyres and front lollypops / track rod ends and an alignment. All went well until I changed from the standard square set-up 17"s to staggered 108s 18" on Goodyear Eagles when it developed a wander at higher speeds as you seem to have.

I then spent several months checking the rear suspension, replacing a broken rear spring and getting two Hunter alignments which all improved things but it was not cured. In the end I tried another (non Hunter) alignment where the operator seemed to have a better grasp of the science involved and took account of the fact that I now have non-std wheel/tyres. I'm not sure what the settings were but it's now properly sorted and feels very planted.

So, this was a long way of agreeing with Steve' that the operator is more important than the machine particularly if you have changed the springs, ride height or wheel tyre set-up

 

[Anonymous]

Just to add in here, folks - as someone has said, don't be blinded by Hunter branding. Someone else said, Kwik Fit have this kit and they knocked mine way out of alignment (my own stupid fault).

The setup and operator are key - make sure you get pre and post print outs, and make sure they talk to you after the initial check. You'll immediately work out whether they know what they're talking about rather than today's plug and play "Computa says nah" mechanic.