Just after some thoughts guys. I have a 95 V6 TS auto. I do around 1200k's a week in my car and she has always been great to drive, lately though it has been a shocker. The handling of the car has decreased dramatically. The car now loves to over steer, when doing 120 on the F3 freeway this is sometimes very disconcerting. The car even ocassionally lurches with any road level variation and feels as though the front end is running on rails, unfortunatley in the incorrect direction.

I have also had to catch the rear end on three occassions now, in the latest down poors of rain. One of which made me ****e as i was doing 120 in the centre lane of the f3.

Any suggestions on what to look for to help fix this problem. Car has done 50k in the last 7 months. Totally now car is 197k.

Cheers

tyre pressure, tyre condition/wear, suspension, swaybar?,

have you got any large weight in the boot/ back seat.

Tyre pressure around 34-36.

PS Fluid good.

Tyres 70% worn front, 50% worn rears, standard steelies and tyres.

No extra weight in car, only ever me really. Forgot to mention the car is a WAGON

Suspension :stock

I have been driving my daughters TR Sedan up and down the F3 for the past month and have done about 5,000klms in that time.

My initial comment would be if your front tyres are 70% worn (on a FWD) and back only 50% then ROTATE THEM! Having said that maybe it's time to put some new ones on the front .... I guess that's up to the Treasury department!

I have fitted Nankang EX601's and for the money they seem a very good tyre so far in both wet and dry.

Secondly I have just replaced the suspension (all for corners) and it is a different car! Now you may not need to go to these lengths but I'd go to Pedders and pay the $40 odd for a suspension test... I think given your comments it would be $40 well spent!

I replaced both springs and shocks (only because I found them at a great price) and it really has transformed the car... two new tire rod ends on at the same time (cheap as chips) and the thing rides, handles and steers like a dream... (for what it is of course - a gen II Magna!)

I'd definitely be looking at springs (all four corners); front struts and rear shocks...

Good luck with it all...

Cheers, will try

Suspension bushes.

When you do a tight low speed turn, do you have to turn the wheel back a bit because the car wants to oversteer?

At 12 years old and nearly 200K I would suspect that the large inner bushes on the front track control arms at a minimum are shot.
Don't forget that these bushes and the bushes at the rear of the track control arms have to deal with all the turning and braking forces from the front suspension.

Car on ground. Steering locked. Grab hold of the front and rear of of each wheel and try and turn the wheel. If it moves than the likely causes are :-
1) Large inner bushes
2) Rear bushes
3) Steering arm end ball joints.
4) The large ball joint between the brake knuckle and the track control arm.

I would recomment that you spend the money at Pedders and get them to show you exactly what is wrong. Then it your choice about who fixes it.

BTW I had similar problems with a 95 KS Verada wagon. That's why I am pointing the finger at the rubber bushes.
Also fully agree with the worn tyre comment.
On a FWD car the front tyres do almost 80% of the work. You will also find that the outer edges of the front tyres are worn out first as well.
Fix for this is surprisingly a Rear anti roll bar.
Did this is 1999 on the KS wagon. An amazing difference to handling and tyre wear.
Gerry

Thank Gery for your input, much appreciated, will give all this a look at or at least pedders will.

anti-roll bar, is that the rear sway bar?

I agree with spud,
it will be your lower control arm bushes that are causing the steering to wander around.
but on my car they are fluid filled bushes...
if the bush is cracked and leaking its dead... and it needs to be replaced... don't drive to much as it can be very dangerous

(you mentioned having to catch the back end... i do that all the time... mind you thats because i let it go out on purpose :P :) and snap it back in :) helps with car control and knowing your ability (although i would recommend you do this on a skid pan, racetrack, not the freeway or country roads)

thanks adza, will also check that out.

BTW, i am keen for a little sideways movement every now and then..:D

Me think i better spemd some money on the old girl.