Wandering Front End

Outlaw · Postby **Outlaw** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:14

I just posted this on another thread but it was a bit old so I thought I'd repost it.
I just bought an '08 MX5 GT and have noticed something odd. When I am accellerating through the gears and let off between shifts I have noticed a slight dive and the front end seems to veer off to the left. Could this be a sign of a bad motor mount? The dive isn't drastic, pretty much the front end coming back to the level position, but the veering off to another direction concerns me. Any ideas?
Thanks, Jim

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:14

I would start with having an alignment done. That might be all it needs. Who knows what kind of pot hole, etc the person who had it before you hit.

D Walker · Postby **D Walker** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:14

alignment and check the shocks. If I can be of assistance please feel free to ask;)

Outlaw · Postby **Outlaw** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:14

Hello again Dan...Thanks I paid particular attention to it a few minutes ago on a trip up I-25. It tends to drift to the right from time to time also. Think I'll have the alighment checked after all.

jamiel · Postby **jamiel** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:14

and if alignment and shocks aren't it, check suspension bushings.

94mx5 · Postby **94mx5** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:14

Personally, I always start with air pressure. Check the lug nuts, etc. Once all the simple stuff is narrowed down, then alignment and so forth.

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:14

94mx5 wrote:Personally, I always start with air pressure. Check the lug nuts, etc. Once all the simple stuff is narrowed down, then alignment and so forth.

Good idea.

Dange · Postby **Dange** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:14

everything said. it does sound like shock/alignment issues and also rotate the tires. and check the brakes if it only veers under braking.

Outlaw · Postby **Outlaw** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:14

Air pressure/lug nuts, etc are good. No TPMS issues. Tires about 60%. Only 25K on the car. I wouldn't think bushings or struts yet. I've got an appt tomorrow at 11am for an alighment. We'll see what comes of it. I'll let you guys know. Thanks for the input and ideas.

Outlaw · Postby **Outlaw** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:14

Well, I had the front end aligned today. Tech said it was in spec but I told him to go ahead and make it perfect...which he did. It didn't make much difference though. When he got it up on the rack I could get a good look at my front tires. They are about 40-50 % with some outside wear. He says once I get some decent tires on it I shouldn't have any more problems. Here goes another $700.00. Anyone got any good ideas or experience with some long wearing/good riding tires? All input appreciated :confused:

I liked the Continental Extremes that were on my RX8, but I hear the Goodyear Eagle GT's are great also....????

Postby **RX-7 Chris** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:14

how are the rear tires? maybe you could swap them around.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:14

I have read good things about the Eagle GT but I've also heard they are not great in snow. I'm looking at a set of Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring for my wife's Impreza. $80 mail-in rebate on them until 7/30.

94mx5 · Postby **94mx5** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:14

Other thing to maybe take note of is if the car sat for a while. Maybe there is some sort of a flat spot in the tire? I noticed that one of my cars. Took a LONG time to figure it out. Finally swapped out rims with another set we had, and it solved it.

In regard to tires, I don't have a real preference, so long as they are made in USA, Europe, or even maybe Korea. Just not China. Some companies manufacture in more than one place, even US brands, so be careful.

Outlaw · Postby **Outlaw** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:14

I just had the tires checked and balanced a couple days after I bought the car. One rim had a flat spot on it so I put it on the right rear. I just noticed the "dive" again this morning. I can't figure it out. Guess it's time to put it on a lift and check it thoroughly or get new tires sooner than I had wanted to. The tech that did the alignment said new tires would probably do the trick. Erod, as far as Gt's being good in the snow, I don't care too much about that. I'll be driving my Dodge Deisel truck in the snow. It has Bridgestone Revos on it and they are great in the snow or mud. Just wouldn't look right on the MX5 :rolleyes:

Chris, how much experience do you have with the Goodyear Assurance tires? How are they on the Impreza? Not sure if comparing the Suby to the MX5 would be a good comparison. I know Suby's eat up the tires. My wife has an Outback wagon turbo. 24k is all she got out of the stock Michelins.

erod550 · Postby **erod550** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:14

I don't have any experience with the Goodyear Assurance tires. I'm just going off reviews I have read. They have the highest treadwear rating of any all-season I've seen at 740. 80,000 mile treadwear warranty. That, the good reviews, and the $80 mail-in rebate helped me make the decision about that tire.

My wife's Impreza came with Bridgestone Potenza all-seasons and they are nearing the end of their life at 29k miles. The way they are wearing we should have gotten an alignment a while ago, though, and probably rotated more often. The two on the rear probably have at least another 5k in them. The two on the front have a lot of wear on the outside and inside while the middle is similar to the rears. I figure it's better to just get new tires before this winter than to try to get through the winter on these.

Wandering Front End

Wandering Front End

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