Handling issues!!

SKNOT9 · #1 01-09-2008, 09:30 PM

Hi there. I live in the adelaide hills so i do a fair bit of windy road driving. I had a VN not long ago which handled prettyy good under strain. But my VS IRS has never felt as good. I have new stabiliser bar links and bushes, got new fe2 shocks all round (GMH surplus) lovells sport lows all round. Im just wondering if some of the bushes are gone. it just feels like a bit sloppy. not as much control, not as twitchy as the vn. I will be halfway around a decreasing radius corner, turn in more and it just feels like its understeering, it just doesnt want to turn any sharper. It just doesnt have the responsiveness im looking for. What are some bushes i should check and where? the car has done 280,000km so im guessing its just some worn bushes. Would worn strut tops have this effect?
Any help would be great. Thanks!

Scooter79 · #2 02-09-2008, 12:08 AM

I'm with you on this one. My first VS was an exec with standard live axle suspension. My current VS Calais with IRS has never handled as good as the exec. My problem is that the damn thing wobbles. It's not a wheel balance or alignment issue. It's feel like it quickly darts left and right even on a freshly laid road. I've had the front end rebushed (except strut tops) new PS rack. I've had it back to Pedders after them telling me rebushing the front end would fix it and it dis nothing. Then they told me they have no idea. Sounds like we have a similar problem but I'm also at a loss to explain it.

1991_Vn2nV · #3 02-09-2008, 12:31 AM

I also live in the hills and was never satisfied with my VS' handling (on Pedders suspension). It was only an exec, non IRS. I just prefer the VN steering and I seem to be more in touch with the road than when I drove my VS if that makes sense.

vnv8driver · #4 02-09-2008, 01:39 AM

if everything has been replaced get a wheel alignment check to test the camber of the front wheels, after years the strut twoers tend to sag making the front wheels ride on an angle, the only fix is adjustable strut tops.

But by all means get all your rubbers checked out before hand, could be anything from a tierod end to a wheel bearing.

Reaper · #5 02-09-2008, 06:40 AM

Put in a good set of shocks (sorry - std issue Holden are not considered good). The Lovells should be ok. Check the bushes are all in good condition.

Reaper

SKNOT9 · #6 02-09-2008, 09:20 AM

thanks for help guys. yeh went for a drive this morning and it understeers really bad. it feels really unpredictable and sort of darts all over. i will turn a bit and it will turn sharp but then i will turn a lot and it wont turn much and roll and stuff. it differs around every corner. Only just got a wheels alignment. what is the biggest cause of understeer?

Reaper · #7 02-09-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddy6_9

thanks for help guys. yeh went for a drive this morning and it understeers really bad. it feels really unpredictable and sort of darts all over. i will turn a bit and it will turn sharp but then i will turn a lot and it wont turn much and roll and stuff. it differs around every corner. Only just got a wheels alignment. what is the biggest cause of understeer?

Have you given it a front end alignment? Get them to give it a bit of neg camber and dial in some caster as well. It will make the car feel more stable and turn in better. Check your shocks and rubbers too - they make for unpredictable handling.

Reaper

SKNOT9 · #8 02-09-2008, 09:41 AM

yeh got a full alignment. what rubbers should i check?

VrWagz1 · #9 02-09-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddy6_9

thanks for help guys. yeh went for a drive this morning and it understeers really bad. it feels really unpredictable and sort of darts all over. i will turn a bit and it will turn sharp but then i will turn a lot and it wont turn much and roll and stuff. it differs around every corner. Only just got a wheels alignment. what is the biggest cause of understeer?

That sounds like dud shockies to me if its rolling and unpredictable.

SKNOT9 · #10 02-09-2008, 01:06 PM

i just got new shockies!!!!

SKNOT9 · #11 02-09-2008, 01:14 PM

is it possible to just replace the cartriges in my front struts? its geniume gmh fe2

Scooter79 · #12 02-09-2008, 02:36 PM

Is it possible that it could be bushes in the rear end that need replacing? Like I said I've had the front end rebushed and have a similar problem to eddy. It' is deffinately not a balance or alignment problem. Goes much deeper than that.

sircruisealotVS · #13 02-09-2008, 06:44 PM

well comparing a VN to the VS as some have here would really just come down to the weight difference, as the suspension is practically identical (non-irs models).
i cant remember how a stock or close to stock suspension VS handles, but i know a thicker front sway bar goes a long way in helping to get rid of understeer. an LSD doesnt go astray either to keep the back end steady exiting corners.
for scooter79 and eddy6_9 it does sound like there's something wrong there, i know you've said the front bushes have been replaced but from what you've explained it sounds like some cactus z-bar bushes.