So here’s the problem. Drive it like the old man I am and everything is hunky dory. Give it a bit of welly and it dinks to the right. Foot off the gas and it dinks to the left. As you can imagine a spirited acceleration through the gears means she’s wandering all over the place just when your left hand is on the gear stick and you’ve only got the right hand to try and keep it in a straight line.
Going in for service and MOT next week so I’ll get them to give everything steering, suspension and brake related a good coat of looking at.
I do have one thought about what it could be but if I say now everyone will just agree with me. I’ll spill the beans on that later. So gents, if you could put your thinking caps on any suggestions will be welcome.
Both rear drop links replaced two years ago as they were noisy. One front one replaced at the same time which had snapped. Didn’t make much difference to the handling and not the same as now.
Still corners nicely which I assume it wouldn’t do with duff dampers.
Who fitted your suspension? has pre-load and corner weight been set? If not it’s like having a gold plated tap back in the 90’s but it not been plumbed in…lol
the new khumo is an excellent tyre
edit…the car wandering is more noticeable in third gear when worked hard on/off throttle!!
So we seem to be veering towards tyres so now I’ll come clean.
Had a full set of Kumho KU39s fitted by NickD and love them. A few months ago while touring in Scotland I had a puncture that destroyed a tyre. At 3.30 on a Sunday afternoon in the wilds of Scotland my only option was a Hankook Ventis which is on the nearside rear. Not too dissimilar in tread pattern to the Kumho but I suspect this is the problem.
My plan is to get the car checked over for faults and if nothing turns up I’ll swap the Hankook for a matching KU39 if I can still get one, I gather it has been discontinued but there are still some out there.
Anybody know what has replaced the KU39 and how similar is it?
Blink fitted, so I’m assuming all the correct work will have been done. Other thing I’ve noticed is that TC kicks in very quickly. Effect is definitely worse in 3rd/4th. Will look into Kuhmos.
Well I’m reassured by the response from the people in the know. I’ve ordered a replacement KU39 205 45 17 for £61 including delivery. Supposedly in stock so fingers crossed that it turns up. I will report back in about ten days once it’s all sorted and let you know if you were all right.
Put the front tyres on the back and the back/new tyre on the front…uneaven tread depth on rear is not good as the diff can’t cope under load as it tries to lock up…2.0 has lsd
Very sound advice, hadn’t thought about the implications on the LSD.
Considering how reasonably priced the KU39 is and how well the car feels and handles on them the wear is also brilliant. The rear that’s still on there has around 5mm left and it’s done around 13k miles.
Is there a direct replacement for the KU39 in the Kumho range? If so how good is it in comparison?
it’s most likely primarily due to all the hand brake turns and drifting that Roadie will insist on doing down at his local Tesco car park in his 5 while waiting for Elaine to come out with the weekly shopping. I’ve told him sooooooo many times.