ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Gents...
I drove the RX up to Watkins Glen two weeks ago to run a trackmasters event. I had noticed the car starting to "hunt and seek" over uneven road surfaces. Seemed OK on track, but i only got three damp sessions in.

The rest of the week driving around country roads and uneven PA highway required both hands on the wheel at all times as the car would practically steer itself.

I had it checked out by a repudable RX7 mechanic, who tells me all bushings and such are solid. I do have very worn front RE71s, and they are basically bald on the inner 1/3.

Last night i swapped out for a friends Fikse's w/ S02s, same sizes as mine. They had been sitting for a while, since his car won't run. i drove mine home last night, and the good news is i believe the directional stability is back. The bad news is, the car has a pronounced pull to the right under power that snaps back if you let off sharply. When i got home, i checked the pressures, and they were 22 psi front, 24 rear hot. It was late and i couldn't do anymore. I am due to leave for MADS tommorow morning, and w/ Isabele in the area, I won't be able to further test the car.

My question:
What could be wrong?? Could those low pressures cause the under-power pull? I'm not sure if i should cancel my MADS trip...

DamonB

I would suspect your tires. When they get worn down to the wear bars they start doing weird things, especially when running negative camber. I notice this because my tires get rotated a couple times a month at the track and my street tires are also due for replacement. I can make the car wander slightly just by which tire I put on which corner even though they all "look" the same by comparison. I waws initially worried as well until I noticed I could change the "problem" by just moving tires to different corners.

My alignment is fine and the car has no weirdness on the race tires, the street tires are just shot. I bet your case is the same;I wouldn't worry if you are certain the suspension is sound. I would not however actually track on those tires. Swap 'em and be on your merry way.

As for the pull under power, even with low tire pressure there should be no pull as long as both sides are the same. I would strongly suspect a bushing or alignment issue in the rear if the *** end tries to go other directions every time you get on the power.

redrotorR1

First off, 22 psi and 24 psi is REALLY low pressure for street tires!!!! I was unaware that one of my rear tires had been 'tampered' with and noticed a weird pull on acceleration. Turns out that the tire was rolling over and causing the car to pull. The tire was trashed .... big bubble on the sidewall. I hope your friend's S02's are ok .... 'dems some expensive tires to replace!

And Damon (as usual) is spot on about the bald tires. When I wore my AVSi's down to the wear bars, the car followed every little groove in the road. I also run a lot of toe out .... but nevertheless, the car became near effortless to drive after I put some new shoes on her.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Upon further review:
*one* of the rear tires on my friends wheels is a new-ish firestone FZ 50. The other is a worn S03. I didn't actually notice in the pitch dark @ midnight last night when i swapped 'em. He tells me he had noticed the pull on his car, but chalked it up to a bad bushing.

Since my car has equally bad but different characteristics with mine or his wheels, i believe that tires are the culprit in both cases.

BUT, it also means i shouldn't run VIR, because I don't have the time to fit new tires... SUX!!!