Car wandering

[Loopy]

I have a 172 ph1 fitted with apex springs, they were on the car when i got it. If im on a nice straight even road i have no problems but driving over a slightly bumpy road and the car wants to wander

is this normal for a clio ?

 

[y0z2a]

tyre pressures / tracking / tyre wear / imbalanced wheels might be the problem

/y0z

 

[Loopy]

Nearly s**t myself today, was doing 70 hit a pot hole and the back end wandered all over the road as if the tyres were flat. Checked the pressures and there fine. My thoughts were bushes but the car just had a MOT by the garage i bought it off

What the hell could this be *runs off to buy new pants*

 

[Rip3z]

As yoz said, go get it tracked and balanced (any tyre place).

 

[Loopy]

OK went and had the car tracked and balanced, tyres checked and pressures checked. Bearings are fine and the rack checked for play and these are all fine

Try bushes next eh LOL i love this car, it gives me something to do

 

[ben_p]

lol, u can drive my car n see how it feels m8 , it may be normal

 

[Rob669]

I find that my 172 Mk1 wanders about now the front tyres have got a bit worn. My old Clio RSi was much worse though. The amount it wanders also depends on the road I'm on I find.

Hope it helps.
Cheers, Rob669

 

[dannyboy172]

I have this problem in my completely standard 172 mk2 - think it might be the tracking, steering wheel is slightly p*ssed to the left, only a small amount, its not quite centred. i've checked the tyre wear ,all even, i'm going to a trye place soon to check the tracking to be on the safe side.

 

[stevo123]

I have a new 1.2 16v and from day one its a bugger t keep straight unless you are really concentrating, upto 60mph is okay however. I had a razor sharp saxo vtr before this and that was easier to keep straight. Just my imagination but i wonder if the front wheels are perfectly parallel-if so a touch of toe in might help us here?

 

[George k]

It could be that the tracking is OK, but that it has been incorrectly adjusted so that the track rods are different lengths. Quick check is to make sure that you have exactly the same number of turns for left and right lock. Are you on standard offset wheels - if less than standard ET this could also cause wandering.

 

[Loopy]

The wheels fitted to the car are not standard but there only 15" so its not like im getting tramlined. After inspection i have noticed the the wheels dont have spigot rings and they need them on these wheels to centre the wheel

could this be the problem as i thought this only casued wheel wobble

 

[George k]

You can check the wheel for eccentricity and wobble by jacking it up and rotating it. The studs should centre it. Have you checked the ET? Also when you were using grease to check suspension travel were you cornering on smooth roads - as bumpy roads will give a totally flase reading. It could be that a proper four wheel alignment, which checks the thrust angle might give you a clue. Good luck - there is always an answer. Depending on where you live the best answer is to find soneone with the irght equipment and enough motorsport experience to understand how to work away from standard settings - it is not enough just to have the irght kit. People who prepare Challenge racers could be a good place to start. down in sleepy Devon my solution has been to buy the gauges and do it myself!

 

[Gaz_]

hows the rear dampers? mine had something like this, and if its lowered on aftermarket springs with O.E dampers they might be shafted.........

just a thought