Grrr wet understear

Biohazard · 29 Sep 2009 at 14:44

Nearly plonked the e36 into railings trying to take a tight near 90deg left turn at 10mph (?) on the way back to work.

I felt it slip on initial turn in, then grip caught and I thought I was ok.. put foot down gently (!) and it started to go way more sideways than I thought possible given tyre dimentions, it slid sideways another meter, maybe half, towards the railed traffic island. Completely stopped then pulled away.

It must have looked like I was driving like a tool to the traffic sat, but really I've taken corners quicker in a micra.

It wasn't completely aquaplaining, but it sure felt like it. The tyres up front have loads of tread, but are called tiger, or killers or some other cheap rubbish. I will replace them if it happens again but..

Is there a name or term for bmw and mercs with suspension which change camber angle on cornering? ie to help high speed cornering. Does this effect slow cornering much, or have I just been a ****?

/concerned

Biohazard · 30 Sep 2009 at 10:06

Dogbreath said:
ALL cars do this to some extent, it's caused by a combination of the castor angle and the "steering axis inclination" (SAI). Camber also changes with body roll to some extent (unless you have a live axle).

Thanks for the explanation!

Yes I know the tyres are cheapies, stuck toyo's on the rear last week ordered another two last night. Lost confidence in the fronts now!

Took it to a unused carpark last night and ran passed the same corner a few times, couldn't quite replicate it but there is a certain angle where I do seem to be slipping/stepping out.

If the new boots don't sort that, I'll get the front checked out when its at the garage this week. Although it was stuck on a hunter alignment last week, the fronts were pretty much bang on. Who knows..

Biohazard · 30 Sep 2009 at 10:09

FTM said:
who would manufacture or buy a set of tyres called killers!!!

Twas me being silly

Biohazard · 30 Sep 2009 at 10:17

Dolph said:
You have ditchfinders on, they are called this for a reason, glad to see you're changing them.

Beyond that, alignment, worn suspension etc could be the cause, but my money would be on the tyres.

They are good in dry, its the first real wet day I'd had in the car yet and my face just dropped like this - :/

Both wishbones have been replaced, but the steering feels too reactionary (is that a word?) to the road. Something perhaps not right but I'm getting the suspension looked at / overhalled this week as I have big plans for the shell!

Well big, meaning a proper 6 pot.

Biohazard · 30 Sep 2009 at 11:22

^ It was a mist wet day, hadn't rained but drizzled all afternoon. Although cheap, the front two have thousands of miles worth of DRY miles left on them.

rypt said:
How do you understeer at 10mph?

With ease it would seem..

Biohazard · 30 Sep 2009 at 11:37

Dolph said:
You can't guarantee it will be dry, and that sort of wet weather performance sounds downright dangerous. Bad tyres (because not all bad tyres are cheap) are false economy.

Mate, you don't have to tell me that, I live in SCOTLAND!

No I agree completely, got another set of toyos coming.

Its a shame that these bad cheap tyres that actually do well in the dry are a complete liability in the wet. But hey, I didn't buy or pick them but can easily replace!

Its more the suspension, the more I'm in it now more something up front doesn't feel right. Its in for RTAB's and polly's this week, I'll get them to gander at the front.

Biohazard · 30 Sep 2009 at 11:37

mjt said:
so? crap tyres are crap regardless of tread

Yes, no, indeed, or maybe perhaps.

Goodbye Susan.

Biohazard · 30 Sep 2009 at 11:43

Where is your garage about? Anywhere near peebles/melrose?

Thanks but I have been a long time buyer of toyo TS-1's and then TR-1's.