Please help - wayward handling. need sorted before trackday

Discussion and technical advice the SW20 MR2. 3S-GTE, 3S-GE, 3S-FE etc
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jaymdee
Posts: 108
Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 3:11 pm

Please help - wayward handling. need sorted before trackday

Post by jaymdee »

Basically the rear of the car feels like it is 'washing out' and under acceleration, the car feels really unstable:

About 4 weeks ago I was on a trackday and the car ran fine all day and then on the last session something didn't feel right. The car felt different immediately and I spent 3 laps trying to diagnose the issue with no luck.

Recalling that at the MOT I was told my track rod ends were on their way out, I had a local garage replace them and I also replaced the speedo converter/delimiter to one of Stefs. Took the car out and it felt pretty good just driving around normally.

I have since replaced the stock turbo suspension with BC coilovers and again, after a bit of playing around with the settings, the car feels good under normal town driving.

However, on hard accelerating it feels really really unstable. Once at speed (eg 70mph) it's fine, and cornering seems fine, but I need to back off when accelerating as it feels like it's out of control!

Any assistance diagnosing this would be great, if someone has had a similar experience, as I've got another trackday booked for Sat 29th, which is currently looking unlikely :( Going to take it to garage on Friday (away all week with work) but a few ideas for them to look at could help.

Someone has suggested engine mounts?? All suspension bushes replaced with TRD kit and poly ARB bushes in the last year

cheers
jake
Posts: 42
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:50 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Please help - wayward handling. need sorted before trackday

Post by jake »

I'd guess you're rear toe (in) is off - the MR2 is particularly sensitive to rear toe and it's during acceleration and braking that you'll notice it most.

How does it feel under (hard) braking? Either way get it laser aligned - not cheap but it'll save you a packet in tyres if it's off, especially if you're tracking it.

There some great posts on here with settings (search for Dino's alignment).

Basically if it's all tight and the bushes are done then you're down to geometry...

Jake
jaymdee
Posts: 108
Joined: Sun May 04, 2008 3:11 pm

Re: Please help - wayward handling. need sorted before trackday

Post by jaymdee »

Cheers Jake. It's going to get checked over and the geo done Friday or Saturday anyway, so I guess we'll see then. Interesting what you say, as it's under hard braking and accelerating that it's noticeable.
jake
Posts: 42
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:50 pm
Location: Cambridge

Re: Please help - wayward handling. need sorted before trackday

Post by jake »

A full geo is always worth it - I hate to think how much I spend doing it on 4 cars each year...!

Some wobbling under hard braking can be caused by pressing the clutch down too early - disengages the wheels from the gearbox and with the relatively short wheelbase can wobble a bit. Easy enough to try - on an empty road of course!

Jake
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