Rear end sliding out?

tres

tres

tres

Soldato
Joined
16 Oct 2007
Posts
7,482
Location
UK
Hi Motors,

I have a slight problem. Yesterday, whilst going around a round about at a normal speed, the rear end of the car slid around and scared the bajesus out of me. I wasn't going fast. It was a damp road, but it's the first time it's happened. The tyres all look fairly decent. Since that time, some corners that I go around, it feels like the rear end wants to slide out, like it is sliding a tiny bit.

Any ideas what this could be? If it was just the roundabout incident, I would have thought it was just aquaplaning or fuel on the road. But as I feel it fairly regularly, I'm a bit worried - especially as I have a 5 hour motorway journey to do in a few days.

Mk1 focus, 1999

Thanks
 
Thanks all, much appreciated. I guess I might have slowed a little in the corner, would that cause it?

A friend mentioned a scary word - "bushings" - might this be a cause, or is he talking rubbish like usual?
 
I did the tyre pressures to within a couple PSI of the max a few weeks ago (they were about 14psi from the max before that, and certainly haven't gone down as far as a visual check can tell) so I think the tyre pressures are fine. Especially as I didn't have this problem before the air pressure increase, or the month after..
 
I shall go let them down to 32psi, as I have just discovered I should listen to the car manufacturer's recommendation, and not just pump them right up. Thanks guys.

As for the rest, I shall be careful around corners. I have a long trip to do tomorrow. I might go for a "free tyre check" at kwik fit first thing tomorrow morning?
 
Well the rear tyres look like they have loads of tread on them

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So I have deflated to around 32ish (as best I can with the compressor here), and will ensure I drive better (slow in, fast out).

Shouldn't worry about anything else until I notice more problems?
 
Left side is a (?) Mohawk 716 185/65
Right side is a (?) Trayal T-400 185/65

Is it a big issue if they're not the same brand, and bloody cheap i'm betting? (Considering I've done about 1500 miles in the car without an issue so far, including lots of wet driving)
 
On the damn car when I bought it. As I explained in my first motors post, I bought a car without knowing a huge amount about cars, as I was in a new area without my car friends. I have spent rather a lot trying to fix this car, about twice now what I paid for it!!! This seems to be yet another issue (after cam belt, alternator belt, tensioner, rear drums, brakes, exhaust, catalytic converter etc). I refuse to give up on the beast though considering it's cost a lot and could have got something much better with all that cash!

I shall heed your warnings and nip down to Kwik Fit or Charlie Browns first thing tomorrow, and get some better tyres. I don't want to spend a huge amount, as I'm a student - could someone point me in the right direction? As there seem to be a number of different tyres available. What would you be happy with, for daily city drives and 6 times a year doing a 500mile motorway journey?

Edit - oh dear, I searched for the tyres based on my number plate, and it's come up with 195s at the minimum (whereas I've got cheap 185s on there). I take it this could be yet another contributing factor?

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geekman said:
Pretty much. I've been running ditchfinders on my MR2 as it came with them and I thought I'd get some use out of them. If you constantly bear in mind the limits, and you know what to do if it starts to slide, then it's not quite as bad as people say.

However, as they're now getting worn, I'm replacing them with premium tyres, and I'd never even consider running cheap tyres on my main car. So I think you're definitely right to change them :p
Click to expand...

And humour me... what are you supposed to do when it starts to slide?
 
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