I Love Lefthand Bends!

[eds]

Dear friends, does anybody have any ideas as to why my 2000 IS200, fitted with 18x8's & 225x45, prefers left hand bends so much more than right hand ones? The car just feels so much more settled and poised when cornereing at speed on a left hand bend. Right is fine but just that and not quite 'in the groove' if you know what I mean, regardless of camber on the road. I've also noticed that there is (slightly) increased tyre wear on the outside edge of the front left hand tyre. I don't think it's the tracking but I must stress I am no expert. The reason I say this is because the car does not 'pull' to the left or right. Any ideas with which I can approach my local Lexus garage with gratefully received. Cheers.

[ColinBarber]

Get a full 4 wheel alignment check by somebody who knows what they are doing.

[chips229]

Its because of the camber of the road,so the water when it rains drains into the gutter....so on a left hander the roads slightly banked :winky:

[Gavin G]

Are your tyres not supposed to be 225/40 18?

Thats what I have on mine and thats what Lexus put on the cars with the styling kit alloys.

Probably nothing to do with your problem though.

[marcus]

Are your tyres not supposed to be 225/40 18?

Thats what I have on mine and thats what Lexus put on the cars with the styling kit alloys.

Probably nothing to do with your problem though.

if they do it then you can have it you can have 245/40/18 if you want or 235/45/18 and so on, it all comes down to you at the end of the day if you want it to look that bit lower then put 45's on 18" wheels

as i have just had 225/45/17 put on my IS, but its not what come of it :winky:

P.S dont just go by what Lexus put on the wheels. B)

[ColinBarber]

as i have just had 225/45/17 put on my IS, but its not what come of it

You can put what you like on there but if you are changing the diameter of the combined wheel and tyre then your speedo and odometer will be out.

[eds]

Gavin G, you're correct, typo on my part, the tyres are indeed 40's & not 45's.

Chips229, valid point re the camber but I have tested on a very large dead flat expanse if concrete (no drainage channels etc) and the same applies. Don't think the odd tyre wear would support the camber theory either. I think it will have to be the four wheel alignment, anybody know any reasons why I shouldn't take this to my local Lexus garage at Hatfield? I use them for servicing and they're always top notch.

[Kremmen]

I prefer right hand bends when I have no passengers.

Being a fat b*****d it sort of balances the bend nicely :)

[Usually007]

Years ago I had the same thing on a company car I was given. It used to corner one way better than it did the other.

When I took it in for a service the main dealer refused to let me have it back again informing me that it was dangerous to drive.

Turns out that the previous driver had hit something in the road at such speed with one wheel that one side of the car was an inch shorter than the other!

It cost the company a fortune to have the chassis straightened again.

Anyway thought I would share that little story but it is obviously not likely to be the problem in your case. :)

[ColinBarber]

anybody know any reasons why I shouldn't take this to my local Lexus garage at Hatfield?

I remember somebody posting the other day saying that Hatfield have the proper alignment equipment. The only thing I would say is you will be paying Lexus labour rates - normally 1 or 2 hours worth.

[marcus]

go get it book in mate i would