- My model of MX-5 is: Mk 4 ND
- I’m based near: Warrington
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __ Handling issue.
Hi,
I recently bought my first MX-5, and love it. However, I do not love the handling - it pulls sharply to the left when changing from one gear to the other, and then pulls to the right under acceleration. I’ve had the tracking checked, and had the garage which I bought it from check it out as well - they can find nothing woirng with it. The tyres have plenty of tread, although the two rear ones are makes I have never heard of, and are not the same brand, but I can’t see how this could affect the handling so dramatically. Has anyone else had a similar experience, and how did you fix it? Thanks for any suggestions. Matt.
I suggest going to a specialist alignment garage but beforehand get those tyres changed to a matching set, all four.
Did they check the rear suspension?
Is this under very hard acceleration and then lifting off? If you have the LSD it can give this sensation as it transfers the drive from side to side.
Are your tyres the same make, tread depth and pressures? Differences can exaggerate the effect.
I do experience this a little in our car but not as much as when we had our Caterham. The main cause in the Caterham was the different lengths of the drive shafts.
If it is ‘bad’ then a trip to someone like Roddisons Sheffield to get the alignment and wear checked out is probably your best and safest option.
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As Mick says, get some tyres you can trust fitted first. Then go from there.
A mix of tyres on the rear axle is bad enough, without them being budget branded as well!
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I have been pondering on this and as you have just purchased the car I think you should take it back to the garage as the car is clearly ‘not right’. I would check the warranty if any that you have.
The miss match and type of tyres is a bit of an indicator as to some less than coccineous servicing and maintenance. You need an expert on MX5s to look at your car for your own safety.
Sorry if I sound a bit gloomy but my concern is real. If you are near Filey I would be happy to have look but you really need a professional opinion.
Possibly tyre pressures too, I wouldn’t trust them to be spot on after a service or PDI.
I have an ND Sport Recaro. When I bought it, the car had different tyres front and rear, as well as different tyres across the front axle. I subsequently changed a front so that tyres matched on each axle. The car’s handling was “spikey” with little provocation. For example, you could very easily slide it on a damp roundabout with some lift off oversteer at slow speeds. I put at least part of my issue down to difference in grip between front and rear. I never experienced pulling to either side when driving in a straight line. That sounds like a fault.
My suspension is modified now, the tyres match all round, and the car is a lot more predictable.
If you want a second opinion on it, I’m relatively close to the south side of Warrington and could meet you up near M56 J10 at Stretton 
Cheers,
Steve
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Thanks Malc - its been back once, and will go back again as they didn’t fix anything last time. Its under warranty - at least for the time being!
Thanks Wardy5 - I’ll change the tyres and see what that does, and will let you know.
Probelm solved - it was the two rubbish tyres on the rear axle. Thanks to all for the suggestions.
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