Straight line instability under hard acceleration, 3200GTA

[CarlH]

Hi!
I have a 2000, 3200GTA. Amongst other things my car has suddenly began to become very unstable if I accelerate hard. For example if I'm on the freeway doing 60mph and decide to floor it, the car becomes so unstable that I'm not able to keep it in a straight line :-/

Have this happened to any of you? How can I try to cure the problem?

I've read on another website for cars in general that these factors may cause it;
▪ Malfunctioning limited slip differential
▪ Insufficient rear toe-in
▪ Deflection steer from rear chassis/suspension member or mounting point
▪ Rear tyre stagger (car pulls to one side)
▪ Dead rear shock absorber
Wildly uneven corner weights

Is one of those factors a common problem on the 3200? Do the suspension “ERROR†light have something to do with it?

Regards

 

[BennyD]

The best way to resolve all the instability issues is; get yourself a 4200! I have been told by a very well respected Maserati man that the 3200 was beset by high speed instability issues. Not driven one myself but the one he drove me around in did seem s bit more flighty than my 4200. I am sure other 3200 pilots will give me a hard time but I'm only relating what I have been told. Good luck Carl.

 

[dem maser]

Hi there, im guessing the light is nothing to do with it but do get it checked out
Have you checked tyre pressure??
Are they even or bald??
Tracking??
Id lokk into that then see what to do....my car did pull to the left slightly at 90 but with new tyres and tracking it was alright.....

 

[CarlH]

The best way to resolve all the instability issues is; get yourself a 4200! I have been told by a very well respected Maserati man that the 3200 was beset by high speed instability issues. Not driven one myself but the one he drove me around in did seem s bit more flighty than my 4200. I am sure other 3200 pilots will give me a hard time but I'm only relating what I have been told. Good luck Carl.

The instability first began this week. I would never trade for a 4200. Maserati lost all of the 3200s’ character when updating to the 4200. Man those “new” taillights are ugly!

I will try to get the tracking checked. The tires seem fine, and its waaaay to unstable to just be uneven tires. Unless one was punctured. I’m scared that it’s the differential!

I know that there’s something wrong with the rear shock actuators, can that be it? And I’ve also got quite worn lower suspension arms.

 

[conaero]

Hi there it does sound unwell.

When I started reading your post the diff or a broken rear spring jumped to mind. It sounds like something went pop but it could be all manner of things. I would start with a simple check over of the car. It could be a buckled rear wheel, weights fallen off or even a sticking caliper.

Is your Error light on? If so it is probably a broken actuator. There is a guy in the US that repairs them called captain cnc, see link below, he did one for me, perfect. You will be able to tell which one has had it by removing each one and if it rattles or the gear cannot be rotated freely 90 degrees in each direction.

http://www.captainzcnc.com/id2.html

 

[Phil H]

Instability

The best way to resolve all the instability issues is; get yourself a 4200! I have been told by a very well respected Maserati man that the 3200 was beset by high speed instability issues. Not driven one myself but the one he drove me around in did seem s bit more flighty than my 4200. I am sure other 3200 pilots will give me a hard time but I'm only relating what I have been told. Good luck Carl.

I think that rather depends on your definition of high speed. 60mph in a 175mph car is hardly shifting. At no time did I ever have an instability problem with my AC, and I wouldn't expect to even in a standard 3200.

You shouldn't blame a car's performance if you know it already has problems in the suspension or steering department, so first check the easy things like tyre spec, condition, and pressures, then it's a process of elimination starting with the correction of the ERROR light problem.

PH

 

[Rex B]

Hi
I have a 3200 manual and I have never exoerienced any issues with the cars stabilit, in fact most reports wriiten when the car was first road tested found it very stable at high speed in a straight line. It would seem the description that something has just happened to cause the problem, so I would first check for broken springs, Tyres, loose wheels etc, but as the problem exists under hard acceleration which puts a forces on the rear suspension I would check the rear suspension bushes and in particular the bearings on the track control arm on the bottom arm.

Rex B

 

[CarlH]

Hi
I have a 3200 manual and I have never exoerienced any issues with the cars stabilit, in fact most reports wriiten when the car was first road tested found it very stable at high speed in a straight line. It would seem the description that something has just happened to cause the problem, so I would first check for broken springs, Tyres, loose wheels etc, but as the problem exists under hard acceleration which puts a forces on the rear suspension I would check the rear suspension bushes and in particular the bearings on the track control arm on the bottom arm.

Rex B

I have also started to suspect the track arms. Where is the best place to buy these from ?

 

[davy83]

I have a standard 2001 GTA and with the adjustable suspension and it is quite stable and reassuring up to 160 mph, i have not managed any more. the difference in the chassis between late 3200GT and the 4200 is minimal.
i have had a suspension control motor fail and it did not become unstable. unfortunately it could be a number of things. If you are not going to get a garage to fix it, then decide if its vibration or if its pulling one side to the other, or if it feels loose, and also if this problem has been getting worse gradually or it appeared suddenly? the feel can give clues, but the bottom line is you need to get all the possible culprits looked at, so you are looking at wheel bearings, suspension bushes, tyres, shock absorbers, steering rack mounting bolts (make sure the safety recall has been done) track rod ends and ball joints. and if every thing is in good order have the four wheel tracking and wheel balance checked.

 

[Maser Sod]

Carl,
It's probably best not to think so hard about it and simply hand it over to a reputed garage to deal with. The only time my 3200GT ever became unstable in a straight line was when my flatmate drove it!
Cheers
pat

 

[conaero]

I would do as MS says, it could be dangerous, or something else might be about to break.

 

[doodlebug]

I have also started to suspect the track arms. Where is the best place to buy these from ?

Where are you based? It sounds as if you are US based (freeway, tires etc) which confuses my befuddled brain. The 3200 was never sold there.

 

[CarlH]

Where are you based? It sounds as if you are US based (freeway, tires etc) which confuses my befuddled brain. The 3200 was never sold there.

I in-fact live in Norway. I think we've got the worst roads in europe. They eat my suspension alive ...

 

[doodlebug]

I in-fact live in Norway. I think we've got the worst roads in europe. They eat my suspension alive ...

That explains it. I forgot that most Europeans speak Merkin.

Have you sorted the instability?

 

[Parisien]

I in-fact live in Norway. I think we've got the worst roads in europe. They eat my suspension alive ...

....fraid not......our roads are the worst in the entire driving universe........not just Europe.....


P

 

[BennyD]

You should get some more money off europe, like the Spanish do!

 

[Pibbow]

Frank come to Arran mate I assure you they are the worst.

 

[Parisien]

.........................not got potholed versions...they've been banned from being uploaded within the EU internet system....


P

 

[CarlH]

That explains it. I forgot that most Europeans speak Merkin.

Have you sorted the instability?

No, it's still a big issue. The rear end steps out under hard acceleration, espesialy when changing gear.

So far I've only checked the suspension, the left shock absorber might be worn out. And there is too much play, and then I mean waaaay too much play in the lower left ball joint.

Where is the best and cheapest place to buy a new ball joint?

 

[Parisien]

For a rear suspension arm? I know someone mentioned about being able to get them refurbed....maybe they will pass by and let you know.


P