markietay

Hi all,recently sold my classic and bought a 2003 wrx and after driving it around for a few weeks i have to say i dont like the feel of the car compared to the classic.The problem is terrible tramlining and a general nervous feel to the handling,as though you have to keep making minor adjustments to the steering as you're driving.
When i purchased the car i thought that it was standard but i now realise that it has been lowered with a set of unknown springs.
The tyres dont appear to be wearing on the edges.
Anyone else experienced this sort of handling on a lowered scoob?and if so how was it corrected.

greatgonzo

iTrader: (1)

You should get your geometry checked. maybe the last owner never got it set up after having the springs done ?

cusco kid

hi m8 check all ball joints ,track rod ends rear wishbone bushes , steering rack bushes ,then go to the rear and check all bushes on rear axle ,track arm bushes and the radius bushes .if you find nothing wrong then get the geo set up done at a good tracking specialist ,not your local tyre fitting place .you want 4 wheel alignment done m8
cheers geo

mach

i have a classic,mine came with 15" rims and when i changed to 16's it seemed to tramline really bad but i got used to it also when it was last in the garage i was lent a 02 saloon with brembro brakes and large offset 17" alloys(to allow for big brakes).it felt that bad on the way home i rang the garage,it turned out coz of the alloys offset that was why it felt so nervous,still gripped but i really didn't get on with it.could it be that?

chiefs

I’m in exactly the same boat and it’s driving me insane!

Feels like I’m driving in heavy side winds all the time, mostly felt when trying to stay in lane on the motorways. 70+ Mph.

Have new front tyres with 8 mm, rears are both 7mm. Had full geometry at Elite, went for a compromise of a setup somewhere between fast road and standard (I’ll try to post up the print out once I can scan it). Tram lining when after this, but the nervousness hasn’t.

Initially I though the problem was up front, but now I starting to think the problem could be at the rear.
Recently had a full service at Xtreme scoobies and then an MOT at local station, nothing obvious has been picked up.

A couple of things I’ve noticed which I’m going to investigate;

Slight front offside knock when going from reverse to forwards.
Rare nearside knock from rear shock.
Slight knocking from front when rocking the steering wheel left and right with engine off. (Could just be normal play)

I have prodrive springs so I’m slightly lower too.

Great advice from Cusco kid, just not sure how easy it is to check the components if they "look" ok?

Mate, between us WE must find a resolution!!!! Only thing spoiling the car...

addison

what tyres have you fitted
Mine dose it when tyres are cold (06)
after about 10 miles its fine
check tyres pressure play around with pressure up and down

knobby_2000

When I first got mine it was a little twitchy, I have Prodrive suspension so first thought it was becuase of that...I played around with the pressures but nothing made a difference... With advice from here I took it along to Northampton Tyres for a full 4 wheel geo check and alignment... Best money I have ever spent tbh... its now point and shoot and holds its line even on the crappy roads around where I am!

stuart2088

iTrader: (1)

The problem with alignment/geometry set up is with all due respect to traders its a fine art to do a spot on job and a difficult one too.

I can recommend Wheels in Motion in Bucks.

He has done my MX5 toy twice which has one of the most adjustable Chassis"s going.

He transformed that car because it was all over the place. On the road and settings.

He is acknowledged as the equivalent of a Medical consultant in this field in many circles.
My opinion i have no connection there other than a customer.

markietay

Thanks for all the replies,i had my classic set up at supertracker in southampton and they did a prety good job so ill get the new motor over there next month and get it checked.I noticed this morning that when you turn into a tight bend sharp the front feels like its digging in and the back is about to overtake it if this makes sense
Current tyre pressures are 33fr and 32 r and when i picked the car up there was 40 in the rear

jeff mx

iTrader: (1)

i had this problem on my 03 sti when i bought it 3 years ago. i had it serviced and 4 wheel alignment set up at main dealer and it never changed a thing.
a few months after, i bought prodrive 18's as my tyres were wearing on the standard wheels and hey presto, no more tram lining!!! could be original bridgestones?

markietay

My cars fitted with fairly new cheapo tyres,cooper on the front and westlake on the back,this cant help things too much infact i might have answered the question going by what some people are saying about westlake tyres though the cooper tyres are £91 each hardly budget

wreck2riches

I have this same problem with my recently purchased 03 Sti, feels very twitchy on corners, mines has 18" Prodrive Oz with Pirelli P Zeros fitted, was thinking of changing back to standard 17" wheels to see if that helps. Getting a slight knocking on rough roads or shallow bumps from the front offside so need to get that checked out also...

deangtiuk

iTrader: (3)

I have around .05 pos toe each front and around 1.5 neg front camber, rear I have .05 pos toe each and 1.2 neg camber, Before setting it up the car felt bad I have 18" prodrives with Tein Superstreet. I'd try setting alignment to what i've given Car feels connected to the road and no twitching, superb on Mway,s also.

daF1rby

iTrader: (3)

Cool thread! Lots of info.....I've gone from a 96 Sport standard suspension with 17" WRX wheels to a 03 WRX PPP with 18" PFF7s and I really don't like the drive on the motorway = very vague! Was thinking lowering it with Prodrive springs would help but looking on here NO! I have brand new TOYOs on front, nearly new STUNNERS (I know!! they were on when I got it, soon be TOYOS :-) ) on rear. Will keep an eye on this thread for more info. How much does 4 wheel geo setting cost??

escott

iTrader: (1)

About £80-£100 for somewhere decent, worth every penny.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

More like £40 if you are lucky !

dunx

corradoboy

Yup, I used to get a local mobile alignment specialist to visit my local garage, rent the ramps during their dinner break and pay IRO £40-50. They set it up to a spec no-one on here has ever seen before based on a discussion about how I drive the car and what I expected from it. Dunx above now has a very similar set-up and I'm sure he'll agree that it is rather special. It annoys me that places charge different amounts for different set-ups. Same man, same equipment, same amount of time

deangtiuk

iTrader: (3)

There is a very good place called "A Line" in Dudley they charge £45 and they know what they are doing and what every angle does and what adjusting it will cause, Kevin used to do all the EVO's for Xtreme Auto's for Road, Fast Road, and Track, and his more than happy to sit down with you and advise what best would be.
My car feels soo much better now, by the way try fitting a Antilift kit to give more positive castor on the front, will stop the squirming under braking.

daF1rby

iTrader: (3)

Anyone know anywhere decent in Oldham/Manchester that can do the 4wheel alignment. Cheers

corradoboy

Prosport

chiefs

After some experimental pressures, I’ve set the fronts to 35psi and the rears to 34psi [205-45-17]

Car feels MUCH better, checked them after a long drive and they went up but .5psi to I guess they range by a max 1 psi from cold to hot.

Considering ALK before rear ARB now to get more feel in the front, but still not sure….


Markietay: any news on the new boots?

chiefs

As a compromise between comfort and performance, I’m very happy with my Prodrive springs

MrLouKnee

had mine lowered by prosport. had no understeer since she was dropped.
dont know if this is of any help to you

shepster

iTrader: (2)

Hi, would you be able to share your allignment specs?? interested to see what your running.
PM if you prefer

many thanks