woops... snap oversteer
#1
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Thread Starter
woops... snap oversteer
Today I did a little accidental drifting for about the second or third time since I've owned my FC (except the 30 or so times I've spun out on autocross or drift events).
It seems that every time I use too much steering, too much braking, or flub a downshift into 2nd, my wants to spin out on me.
Luckily I corrected for it and didn't spin (wasn't what I'd call a pretty drift though), but I'm wondering what I can do to fix this problem.
Obviously one would be to get new, wider rear tires. Also, I need to replace my rear shocks, and bushings...
But what else can I do to prevent snap oversteer? A stronger front sway bar? New, stiffer springs?
What's ironic is that it happened on a corner that I take every day going to work at about 35 MPH (a 90-degree turn), but the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more.
It seems that every time I use too much steering, too much braking, or flub a downshift into 2nd, my wants to spin out on me.
Luckily I corrected for it and didn't spin (wasn't what I'd call a pretty drift though), but I'm wondering what I can do to fix this problem.
Obviously one would be to get new, wider rear tires. Also, I need to replace my rear shocks, and bushings...
But what else can I do to prevent snap oversteer? A stronger front sway bar? New, stiffer springs?
What's ironic is that it happened on a corner that I take every day going to work at about 35 MPH (a 90-degree turn), but the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more.
#6
Rotary $ > AMG $
iTrader: (7)
Sometimes the help you need isn't what you want to hear-
Today I did a little accidental drifting for about the second or third time since I've owned my FC (except the 30 or so times I've spun out on autocross or drift events).
It seems that every time I use too much steering, too much braking, or flub a downshift into 2nd, my wants to spin out on me.
Luckily I corrected for it and didn't spin (wasn't what I'd call a pretty drift though), but I'm wondering what I can do to fix this problem.
Obviously one would be to get new, wider rear tires. Also, I need to replace my rear shocks, and bushings...
But what else can I do to prevent snap oversteer? A stronger front sway bar? New, stiffer springs?
What's ironic is that it happened on a corner that I take every day going to work at about 35 MPH (a 90-degree turn), but the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more.
It seems that every time I use too much steering, too much braking, or flub a downshift into 2nd, my wants to spin out on me.
Luckily I corrected for it and didn't spin (wasn't what I'd call a pretty drift though), but I'm wondering what I can do to fix this problem.
Obviously one would be to get new, wider rear tires. Also, I need to replace my rear shocks, and bushings...
But what else can I do to prevent snap oversteer? A stronger front sway bar? New, stiffer springs?
What's ironic is that it happened on a corner that I take every day going to work at about 35 MPH (a 90-degree turn), but the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more.
1. Slow your *** down on public streets-it isn't a race course.
2. I don't care how many auto-x/drift events you made in your life, learn how to drive your car. Recommended reading= Going Faster! Mastering the Art of Race Driving By Danny Sullivan.
3. Check for mechanical failure/defects.
4. Tighten the loose nut behind the wheel before it hurts someone or yourself.
Other than that, have a Merry Christmas.
#7
FD pro licensed driver
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my sig... when my DTSS started to go out it would randomly feel like I was hitting water / ice .... very scary. Kill it ... its super easy to do... but does kill the whole feeling like your *** is 1 ft outside every time you turn though. I do miss that. But I am much much much much more stable because of it.
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#8
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Thread Starter
I already have DTTS eliminators.
And I wasn't going that fast. Just a little bit faster than normal. There's no traffic where this corner is, and the opposite lane is covered by a concrete curve and 10 feet of median. I don't normally approach the limit of traction, and I don't turn aggressively if there are other cars there. Not to mention I've taken it literally like 200 times with no issues.
I need to rotate my tires, since the rear ones already almost out of thread (which has nothing to do with dry weather performance).
I get alignments once in a while, although the idiot at Big 10 Tires wouldn't check my rear camber because it isn't adjustable stock. It might be a little too negative, but I think the springs are stock.
The last time I had an accidental drift was when I pulled too fast onto driveway for an Italian restaurant, although I corrected it and didn't have any problems. This was LONG before my tires were close to being worn out.
And for the record, I've had Speed Secrets (1) for longer than I've had my FC :P
And I wasn't going that fast. Just a little bit faster than normal. There's no traffic where this corner is, and the opposite lane is covered by a concrete curve and 10 feet of median. I don't normally approach the limit of traction, and I don't turn aggressively if there are other cars there. Not to mention I've taken it literally like 200 times with no issues.
I need to rotate my tires, since the rear ones already almost out of thread (which has nothing to do with dry weather performance).
I get alignments once in a while, although the idiot at Big 10 Tires wouldn't check my rear camber because it isn't adjustable stock. It might be a little too negative, but I think the springs are stock.
The last time I had an accidental drift was when I pulled too fast onto driveway for an Italian restaurant, although I corrected it and didn't have any problems. This was LONG before my tires were close to being worn out.
And for the record, I've had Speed Secrets (1) for longer than I've had my FC :P
#11
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Thread Starter
#12
Lives on the Forum
Too much steering usually means understeer...
Too much braking usually makes oversteer...
Screw up a downshift usually means oversteer...
If you're steering too much, this just flat-out says you don't know how to drive???
Luckily I corrected for it and didn't spin (wasn't what I'd call a pretty drift though), but I'm wondering what I can do to fix this problem.
Obviously one would be to get new, wider rear tires. Also, I need to replace my rear shocks, and bushings...
But what else can I do to prevent snap oversteer? A stronger front sway bar? New, stiffer springs?
What's ironic is that it happened on a corner that I take every day going to work at about 35 MPH (a 90-degree turn), but the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more.
Obviously one would be to get new, wider rear tires. Also, I need to replace my rear shocks, and bushings...
But what else can I do to prevent snap oversteer? A stronger front sway bar? New, stiffer springs?
What's ironic is that it happened on a corner that I take every day going to work at about 35 MPH (a 90-degree turn), but the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more.
One of the worst things you can do with a RWD during the turn is lift off the throttle.
This causes weight shift toward the front, and this causes instant oversteer.
Basic driving techniques teach you do all your braking before the turn-in.
Oh, and I don't need to chastise you on doing this **** on public roads...
-Ted
#13
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Ya i remember when I first started to drive my car aggressively around corners. I use to get so much whiplash. Then I learned how to enter a corner correctly, basically learned that whipping the steering wheel left or right in an uncontrolled fashion doesn't help too much. haha
Other than that new tires made a world of difference. also what are you using for struts right now?
Other than that new tires made a world of difference. also what are you using for struts right now?
#14
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Thread Starter
This doesn't make any sense...
Too much steering usually means understeer...
Too much braking usually makes oversteer...
Screw up a downshift usually means oversteer...
If you're steering too much, this just flat-out says you don't know how to drive???
Unless your car is totally screwed, I agree with the diagnosis that you're going in too fast (and panicking).
One of the worst things you can do with a RWD during the turn is lift off the throttle.
This causes weight shift toward the front, and this causes instant oversteer.
Basic driving techniques teach you do all your braking before the turn-in.
Oh, and I don't need to chastise you on doing this **** on public roads...
-Ted
Too much steering usually means understeer...
Too much braking usually makes oversteer...
Screw up a downshift usually means oversteer...
If you're steering too much, this just flat-out says you don't know how to drive???
Unless your car is totally screwed, I agree with the diagnosis that you're going in too fast (and panicking).
One of the worst things you can do with a RWD during the turn is lift off the throttle.
This causes weight shift toward the front, and this causes instant oversteer.
Basic driving techniques teach you do all your braking before the turn-in.
Oh, and I don't need to chastise you on doing this **** on public roads...
-Ted
I didn't let off the throttle right as I turned in. I got on the brakes and shifted down 5th > 4th > 3rd > 2nd, and turned in more or less as usually, and the rear end stepped out on me. I'd say I was 10% more aggressive than normal, at most.
I think it's probably a mechanical issue, since I tend to spin out a lot while autocrossing when I cross a very narrow threshold. The rear shocks are really soft, and tend to make a lot of noise when going over speed bumps.
#15
Automatic = Power drain
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Just a thought, tires don't stick as well in the winter (colder), you might need to adjust driving tactics accordingly.
(Believe me, I have adjusting driving tactics considerably, look at my sig to see my recent DD while RX7 rests for winter/Haltech and you will understand.)
(Believe me, I have adjusting driving tactics considerably, look at my sig to see my recent DD while RX7 rests for winter/Haltech and you will understand.)
#16
Rotary $ > AMG $
iTrader: (7)
Ah, Grasshopper!
...every time I use too much steering, too much braking, or flub a downshift into 2nd, my wants to spin out on me...
...the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more...
Just a little bit faster than normal.
I already have DTTS eliminators.
I need to rotate my tires, since the rear ones already almost out of thread...
...get alignments once in a while...(from an) Idiot..(who) wouldn't check my rear camber ... It might be a little too negative...
...I tend to spin out a lot while autocrossing when I cross a very narrow threshold...
The rear shocks are really soft, and tend to make a lot of noise when going over speed bumps....
I still wasn't going that fast.
...the only difference is that I used the brakes a little harder and maybe went through it 2-3 MPH faster, and had to turn the wheel a bit more...
Just a little bit faster than normal.
I already have DTTS eliminators.
I need to rotate my tires, since the rear ones already almost out of thread...
...get alignments once in a while...(from an) Idiot..(who) wouldn't check my rear camber ... It might be a little too negative...
...I tend to spin out a lot while autocrossing when I cross a very narrow threshold...
The rear shocks are really soft, and tend to make a lot of noise when going over speed bumps....
I still wasn't going that fast.
Valkyrie, I don't know you, but this is what I know about you just from your thread:
1. You went into a corner on the street fast enough to nearly spin and started this thread. This has happened to you before on the street.
2. You have poor judgment (see #1).
3. You don't think you were going too fast (see #2).
4. You don't have an analytical mind, often disregarding cause and effect ( see #3).
5. You have multiple maintenance issues with your car (see #2).
6. "I still wasn't going that fast" (see #1 & #2).
Much of a man's success in life is due to honestly and ruthlessly self-evaluating behavior- particularly failures and mistakes, listening to criticism both constructive and otherwise, internal and external, picking out the truth even when it hurts, then adapting his own behavior to yield better results. Lather, rinse, repeat. This model can lead you to an entire lifetime of self-improvement and success.
Good Luck!
Slow down, learn to drive, fix your car, live.
#17
Of course, with the clutch in at high speeds is a bad idea as well, because it gets rid of natural engine braking which can give the effect of keeping the car more planted.
Basically, don't accidentally kick the clutch in a corner
Also, even though mechanical oversteer can be overcome by driver technique, excessive negative or positive camber can and will cause snap conditions, under or oversteer.
Braking harder can cause excess oversteering conditions as well. An example I can give is at the Just Drift events in my mazdaspeed mx-5, I NEVER use the ebrake or kick the clutch, I just lightly tap the primary brakes during turn-in. Because that car is so well balanced it disrupts the rear by transfering weight to the front of the car, and causes the car to drift once power is applied.
Just because you "braked slightly harder" can, and often times will cause an unintentional drift
Also, worn rear suspension components of any type will cause undesirable effects. The bushings and shocks (espescially shocks) all do their part in keeping the rear planted. Fix that stuff and THEN look for advice if it's still happening.
#18
Former FC enthusiast
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Autocrossing (unless you have a high speed course) will only teach you so much, I won't even mention drifting
#19
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Thread Starter
What he meant to say is not to disengage the clutch violently while in a turn. Your rear tires will be overworked from trying to match engine and road speed, while already overworked from side forces while in a turn, thus causing loss of traction.
Of course, with the clutch in at high speeds is a bad idea as well, because it gets rid of natural engine braking which can give the effect of keeping the car more planted.
Basically, don't accidentally kick the clutch in a corner
Also, even though mechanical oversteer can be overcome by driver technique, excessive negative or positive camber can and will cause snap conditions, under or oversteer.
Braking harder can cause excess oversteering conditions as well. An example I can give is at the Just Drift events in my mazdaspeed mx-5, I NEVER use the ebrake or kick the clutch, I just lightly tap the primary brakes during turn-in. Because that car is so well balanced it disrupts the rear by transfering weight to the front of the car, and causes the car to drift once power is applied.
Just because you "braked slightly harder" can, and often times will cause an unintentional drift
Also, worn rear suspension components of any type will cause undesirable effects. The bushings and shocks (espescially shocks) all do their part in keeping the rear planted. Fix that stuff and THEN look for advice if it's still happening.
Of course, with the clutch in at high speeds is a bad idea as well, because it gets rid of natural engine braking which can give the effect of keeping the car more planted.
Basically, don't accidentally kick the clutch in a corner
Also, even though mechanical oversteer can be overcome by driver technique, excessive negative or positive camber can and will cause snap conditions, under or oversteer.
Braking harder can cause excess oversteering conditions as well. An example I can give is at the Just Drift events in my mazdaspeed mx-5, I NEVER use the ebrake or kick the clutch, I just lightly tap the primary brakes during turn-in. Because that car is so well balanced it disrupts the rear by transfering weight to the front of the car, and causes the car to drift once power is applied.
Just because you "braked slightly harder" can, and often times will cause an unintentional drift
Also, worn rear suspension components of any type will cause undesirable effects. The bushings and shocks (espescially shocks) all do their part in keeping the rear planted. Fix that stuff and THEN look for advice if it's still happening.
In all reality I was probably doing about 30 MPH through the corner. But something or other upset the car to just the other side of "WTF!" and the rear stepped out.
You also don't need to explain the mechanics of braking drift to me. The issue is that it shouldn't have started drifting at that level, so it's probably a mechanical issue.
#20
Rider of the Sky
What makes you think I was kicking the clutch? I'd actually say I was closer to slipping the clutch on downshifts to keep them smooth.
In all reality I was probably doing about 30 MPH through the corner. But something or other upset the car to just the other side of "WTF!" and the rear stepped out.
You also don't need to explain the mechanics of braking drift to me. The issue is that it shouldn't have started drifting at that level, so it's probably a mechanical issue.
In all reality I was probably doing about 30 MPH through the corner. But something or other upset the car to just the other side of "WTF!" and the rear stepped out.
You also don't need to explain the mechanics of braking drift to me. The issue is that it shouldn't have started drifting at that level, so it's probably a mechanical issue.
In the meantime, disconnect your rear sway bar, it'll help shift the car to an understeer bias.
Edit: Here's a website for basic understeer/oversteer adjustments. It'll also help you to spot some mechanical problems that could be causing your oversteer.
http://www.rallylights.com/other/stuning.htm
Last edited by Delphince; 12-08-07 at 12:54 PM.
#22
Rotary Motoring
iTrader: (9)
First, you should put your car on jackstands and pry gently on all suspension pivots to see if you have any excessive play.
Now, with the DTSS eliminators you want some toe in adjusted into the rear suspension.
Stock alignment w/ DTSS allows +/- 3mm toe because it will start to default to toe in once the load on the DTSS gets to 100kg.
That 3mm toe out allowed will make for a wild ride once you eliminate the DTSS. Go for some toe in.
Also, if you don't already have a limited slip rear end it makes the rear end MUCH more predictable exiting a corner under throttle.
I had a base model and it sucked when the single drive wheel switched in the corner as the weight shifts back and forth.
Now, with the DTSS eliminators you want some toe in adjusted into the rear suspension.
Stock alignment w/ DTSS allows +/- 3mm toe because it will start to default to toe in once the load on the DTSS gets to 100kg.
That 3mm toe out allowed will make for a wild ride once you eliminate the DTSS. Go for some toe in.
Also, if you don't already have a limited slip rear end it makes the rear end MUCH more predictable exiting a corner under throttle.
I had a base model and it sucked when the single drive wheel switched in the corner as the weight shifts back and forth.
#23
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Thread Starter
The point they're trying to make is you should never be downshifting or otherwise slowing your car in the middle of the turn. Doing so means you're still going faster than you would like, and you should have finished all of your deceleration before the turn. Downshifting to accelerate out of a turn is a spirited technique and shouldn't be explored unless you're familiar with double clutching or at the very least correctly stepping up your engine rpms between the shift to properly match the lower gear. Everything you mentioned--increased turn-in, braking mid-turn, and unassisted downshifting (shiftlock)--will cause the car to oversteer if it's near its mechanical limit, whether you're at 20 mph or 200. "Learn to drive" is a rude overstatement, you just need to adjust your driving habits.
In the meantime, disconnect your rear sway bar, it'll help shift the car to an understeer bias.
Edit: Here's a website for basic understeer/oversteer adjustments. It'll also help you to spot some mechanical problems that could be causing your oversteer.
http://www.rallylights.com/other/stuning.htm
In the meantime, disconnect your rear sway bar, it'll help shift the car to an understeer bias.
Edit: Here's a website for basic understeer/oversteer adjustments. It'll also help you to spot some mechanical problems that could be causing your oversteer.
http://www.rallylights.com/other/stuning.htm
I was already done accelerating and downshifting before I actually turned.
Do you honestly think I'd be wondering why my car was so oversteer-happy if I had been mashing the throttle out of the turn?
I don't need to adjust my driving habits, I need to figure out why my car likes to suddenly oversteer when it should be understeering. I don't think I've EVER actually understeered in my car.
#24
Former FC enthusiast
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Delphince: Thanks a lot, thats a great link.
#25
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My car would kick out pretty good when I had a bad rear wheel bearing. The car would also be near impossible to keep in a single lane on the highway if it was windy or if the road was in rough shape.
Any similar symptoms?
Are you kidding me? I do this all the time, especially if im coming off the highway. This should be no means spin the car out if you don't do it violently. I can hit the brakes hard and down shift coming into or while already in a hard 180* turn without the *** end kicking out. Something could easily be wrong with the rear suspension in the car.
Any similar symptoms?
The point they're trying to make is you should never be downshifting or otherwise slowing your car in the middle of the turn. Doing so means you're still going faster than you would like,
Last edited by RotaMan99; 12-08-07 at 05:39 PM.