First new owner driving question

[steamer]

Hello everyone,

Opinions if I may.

After a few days driving and enjoying experimenting, I find there seems to be quite a lot of rear end squat and roll when accelerating briskly especially from slower corners. More roll than from the front on initial turn in. Which feels a little unnerving.

It doesn't let go by the way just exaggerates the steering input.

Is this part of the character of the cars ?

Its a GS by the way.

Look forward to your comments.

I did warn you I may ask some silly questions

 

[jluis]

If the GS is anything like the 3200, then yes that's expected.
Mine is constantly blinking the traction control light if I give it too much gas.

 

[drewf]

Yes, but check for play in the rear ball joints.

 

[hilts uk]

Dont forget how much power you have back there. If you floor it when coming out a corner you will flip the traction control, especially in the wet.

 

[DPS20K]

My GS was quite twitchy when I first got it, until I had the 4 wheel alignment done. The turn in was too sharp making it feel like the back was lose. Now it's superb and handles the corners like it's on rails.

 

[Zep]

Mine was the same, a feeling of slight oversteer on initial turn in, not so much that it needed correcting, but enough to make you think twice about hitting the throttle at the apex.

I did the bushes and then the alignment plus corner weighting. It is transformed and is currently an absolute joy to hustle in the bends. I totally recommend it.

The car does pitch and roll a little more than a more modern machine, but this isn't a bad thing in my view.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[drewf]

Mine was the same, a feeling of slight oversteer on initial turn in, not so much that it needed correcting, but enough to make you think twice about hitting the throttle at the apex.

I did the bushes and then the alignment plus corner weighting. It is transformed and is currently an absolute joy to hustle in the bends. I totally recommend it.

The car does pitch and roll a little more than a more modern machine, but this isn't a bad thing in my view.

Does this mean you'll be able to stay closer over the mountain passes the next time you come to visit?

 

[steamer]

Thanks Guys,

Its not so much breaking traction or the TCS kicking in its more as Zep has described. It feels like its going into oversteer due to an initial weight transfer (But without actually doing so.) Kind of turn in front loads and doesn't roll too much. Apply throttle gently - rearend squats quite alot on the outside wheel - wait for it to settle then apply more.

On a bike, which I have more experience of I would have said the spring weight in the rear shock was too light.

They have told me they checked the bushes on the inspection and they were ok. Although they could well be a bit tired.

Sounds like wheel alignment and weighting maybe in order.

 

[steamer]

Drewf to Zep - Ouch !

 

[Zep]

Does this mean you'll be able to stay closer over the mountain passes the next time you come to visit?

Are you confusing me with someone else Drew?!

 

[CatmanV2]

Are you confusing me with someone else Drew?!

Me?

C

 

[drewf]

Are you confusing me with someone else Drew?!

Me?

C

Both guilty, I fear

Granted, the weather didn't favour any brave moves!


*Sorry for the thread hi-jack*

 

[Zep]

Thanks Guys,

Its not so much breaking traction or the TCS kicking in its more as Zep has described. It feels like its going into oversteer due to an initial weight transfer (But without actually doing so.) Kind of turn in front loads and doesn't roll too much. Apply throttle gently - rearend squats quite alot on the outside wheel - wait for it to settle then apply more.

On a bike, which I have more experience of I would have said the spring weight in the rear shock was too light.

They have told me they checked the bushes on the inspection and they were ok. Although they could well be a bit tired.

Sounds like wheel alignment and weighting maybe in order.

I would start with the alignment and go from there. Having dissected some bushes I am not convinced that there are too many outward signs of excessive wear. Mine had done 48k miles and the rubber looked perished on the visible bits but didn't seem too bad internally. There is so little rubber that the excess movement is hard to detect. Definitely check the bearings on the rear toe links (grip the tyre side to side and wobble) and as Drew said check the ball joint (same test).

Depending on where you are there a few people with recommendations as to where to go for alignment, but check with them beforehand if they have the shims - particularly for the front camber adjustment as they are bespoke to our cars.

 

[Zep]

Both guilty, I fear

Granted, the weather didn't favour any brave moves!


*Sorry for the thread hi-jack*

I tend to slow down when driving through a cloud, clearly I need to man up!!

 

[steamer]

Thanks for that emblem are just down the road and it will be having a visit in a few months I think - now get back to the driving banter its much more entertaining

 

[drewf]

I tend to slow down when driving through a cloud, clearly I need to man up!!

Have to say, when Ludo replaced you behind me, driving his identical black GS down the mountain in the pouring rain, it did cause me to gasp when 'you' turned off on the wrong road

 

[Zep]

Have to say, when Ludo replaced you behind me, driving his identical black GS down the mountain in the pouring rain, it did cause me to gasp when 'you' turned off on the wrong road

Hehe. I would say the only reason I stayed behind you was that you knew the route, but that might not be completely true

 

[drewf]

It was probably because I knew where we were having lunch in Italy, and I know you wouldn't want to have missed that

 

[Zep]

It was probably because I knew where we were having lunch in Italy, and I know you wouldn't want to have missed that

If I learned one thing in Italy, it was to follow Il Commendatore to the next meal...

 

[drewf]

So steamer, here's what you've learned so far:

Get the alignment/bushes/ball joints checked on your car, Zep slows down when he can't see where he's going (to be fair, it was thick cloud on a mountain top and absolutely persisting down), and I'm your man for a decent restaurant. Not MAF260.

Keep reading, and let's have some pictures of your car please...