Wayward Handling Is200

[RedLexus]

Right here goes ..... Part of the reason I've been so long off the forum here is that I'd fallen out of love with my IS . There I've said it , I'm sorry , but it was the truth . However............................ I miss her loads now! So after being left idle bar the odd drive to the village for 6 months , she's coming back into my life .

Now the love affair all went awry back when I first got the 4 wheel alignment done , some time after fitting my -30mm Eibach Springs. A "mate" did this one afternoon in a known brand tyre outfitter , and things were great , for about 30 miles.... As it happened I was going to Birmingham , with 3 mates from the workshop . So drove to the ferry , car was lovely on the motorway . Off the boat in Holyhead , 4 of us in the car , plus luggage , and once we got up around 70 , the car started weaving on the road , felt like it was steering from the rear . Not at all nice tbh , even the passengers noticed it! To shorten a long story , I got back to Tipperary , and once I got a chance got it in over the pit in out own garage , and what did I find , to my utmost horror , that the lower outer suspension arm adjuster nut was loose :tsktsk: :tsktsk:

It had even damaged the folded edge of the arm so getting the adjustment back was very awkward .

Ok so , I reset it as best I could by eye and with old skool Dunlop Tracking gauges , and got 4 wheel alignment done again ASAP , not by my so called erstwhile mate . As you can guess I double and treble checked the bolts after that session!!

But... the car has never felt fully sorted since . We couldn't get the angle on the rear wheel exactly right , so slotted the inner mounting hole a shade to try help , still not quite right . I tried tyres , even a different profile , that made it worse !

Now with 2 new 215 50 17s on the rear , 215 45 17s on the front , its not a nice car to drive on bumpy roads . You come over a decent bump , and as the suspension extends and compresses , it feels like the car is wandering , weaving slightly at the rear . I'm gonna get 4 new Dunlops soon as the fronts are shot , but what else could be wrong? Its a shame 'cos its been a brilliant car otherwise , its been to the 'Ring and back and never missed a beat , its done just over 45000 miles from new and only got oils , filters , 4 new dampers and brake pads .

sadly being in Ireland means I can't get it Wheels In Motion , but what else should I look for? None of the bushes appear to be worn , however I haven't a great way of checking them .

Please help!

[Rob]

when youmention "alignment" was it only alignment or was it a geometry check? I you could scan in the result sheet you recieved from the garage Tony from WIM will gladly assist with his vast knowledge

[RedLexus]

I'm gonna get it checked again , just the settings to measure the various angles , the scan them for Tony .

[Tony-Bones]

Normally when the rear coils are fitted it's necessary to remove the camber adjuster bolt.

Seemingly this is the one that came undone... The Dunlop gauges only measures toe not camber, so it would appear the camber is somewhat distressed....

Chin up mate.... It's an easy fix once on the correct rig.

[RedLexus]

Well I fitted the Springs myself , then drove , oh what , I suppose 1000 miles before I got the alignment done , with no problems . It was only when the ex-mate adjusted stuff the bolt loosened...and he did crack that one open while adjusting .

I only put the old Dunlop gauges on it myself in the shed to get it safe for driving , as the nearest 4 wheel alignment place is a good spin away . Without sounding presumptious , will you be able to suggest settings for me if I mail you the current ones Tony? I've nae bother in pay=palling you a few bob for them .

[Tony-Bones]

Well I fitted the Springs myself , then drove , oh what , I suppose 1000 miles before I got the alignment done , with no problems . It was only when the ex-mate adjusted stuff the bolt loosened...and he did crack that one open while adjusting .

I only put the old Dunlop gauges on it myself in the shed to get it safe for driving , as the nearest 4 wheel alignment place is a good spin away . Without sounding presumptious , will you be able to suggest settings for me if I mail you the current ones Tony? I've nae bother in pay=palling you a few bob for them .

I don't mind.... If you email me the current positions i will have an idea how much adjustment will be avalible.

tony@wheels-inmotion.co.uk

[Thunderbird2]

FWIW, I did the Eibach Sportline springs way back when, and the initial (placebo) effect was great. But really, the stock shocks were never up to the task of dealing with shorter springs. Every IS/Altezza owner I know who has put shorter springs on their car and expects improved handling has ended up with replacement shocks/springs or coilovers (I have been through four different setups before I was satisfied).

I also experienced a similar situation to what you describe, however this was due to greatly uneven rear camber between drivers and passengers side. Further down the line, one of my stock rear shocks began to leak (to be expected with shorter springs). But as far as bump handling goes, it's never going to be roses with shorter springs.

[RedLexus]

Cheers mate , on the button there,,, which is why I'm looking for Koni's or similar for the rear now.

[RedLexus]

Well!! It's back! And it's cured! mostly.....

Here in Ireland we have a mandatory car test called the NCT , like an MOT but genuinely 10 times tougher , and is not done by garages . Anyway , mine just passed! Woo hoo .

Now... the handling is almost 100% back to normal , found a few things that I'll share with you lot .

1. I took off the practically new Federal , 215/50 17s off the back , and the worn 215/45 17 SP9000 Dunlops off the front . Replaced all on a set of refurbed wheels , with Yokohama S Drives , new compound , 215/45 17 all round .

2. Had it up on the 2 post lift , found the offset washers for the toe adjuster bolts on the RHS rear were 180 degrees off from one another! The front one "high" side up , rear "high" side down. Fixed them both the same .

3.Fixed this problem ,

It had even damaged the folded edge of the arm so getting the adjustment back was very awkward .

, spent a good hour and a half but got the folded edges almost like new .

4. Found a small bit of play in the front inner LHS tie rod , duly replaced it .

Now , it's once again a pleasure to drive! Next things to do are Tax it (560 Euro!! :tsktsk: ) , 4 wheel alignment , and a serious detailing!