Help!! Spinning TVR

[tapchapman]

I've used my R-plate Chimera as my everyday car for over two years now, in all weathers (including snow) without any mishaps. Until last Thursday, that is, when I executed a 360 on a country road near home. I had already "caught" a couple of slides in the previous 10 miles but there was no warning twitch on this one, just slid straight round. Only damage was the underchin spoiler thingy which got caught on the verge when I stopped. It is now bolted back in place. The local garage also inspected for other damage and did not find anything.

This morning at 0650 (my first drive since Thursday) I reverse out of the drive, engage first, go 50 yards, change to second, the revs shoot up (4k?!) and then I'm pointing backwards again. Only 180 degrees this time, but enough to get the adrenalin off to an early start. It was raining but not icy and there was, again, no warning from the back end at all. Parked the TVR back at home and borrowed my wife's car for the day.

So, I think there must be something wrong ...
My best guess is that there is a problem with the slip diff (locked on or misbehaving in some other way) - any other opinions or advice would be most gratefully received. Hopefully I can get it back on the road for the weekend for the NYTVRCC alternative Xmas do ...

[jonesg1002]

I know its obvious but have you checked the tyres for wear and pressures ?

I found that things got a bit hairy when the S02 non
pole positions got worn down but still legal on a chim500 until they warmed up which took a while in the cold and wet.

[P7ULG]

I've used my R-plate Chimera as my everyday car for over two years now, in all weathers (including snow) without any mishaps. Until last Thursday, that is, when I executed a 360 on a country road near home. I had already "caught" a couple of slides in the previous 10 miles but there was no warning twitch on this one, just slid straight round. Only damage was the underchin spoiler thingy which got caught on the verge when I stopped. It is now bolted back in place. The local garage also inspected for other damage and did not find anything.

This morning at 0650 (my first drive since Thursday) I reverse out of the drive, engage first, go 50 yards, change to second, the revs shoot up (4k?!) and then I'm pointing backwards again. Only 180 degrees this time, but enough to get the adrenalin off to an early start. It was raining but not icy and there was, again, no warning from the back end at all. Parked the TVR back at home and borrowed my wife's car for the day.

So, I think there must be something wrong ...
My best guess is that there is a problem with the slip diff (locked on or misbehaving in some other way) - any other opinions or advice would be most gratefully received. Hopefully I can get it back on the road for the weekend for the NYTVRCC alternative Xmas do ...

I think if you can say hand on heart it was not down to something you did, then you should get the car checked ASAP

[GreenV8S]

I've used my R-plate Chimera as my everyday car for over two years now, in all weathers (including snow) without any mishaps. Until last Thursday, that is, when I executed a 360 on a country road near home. I had already "caught" a couple of slides in the previous 10 miles but there was no warning twitch on this one, just slid straight round. Only damage was the underchin spoiler thingy which got caught on the verge when I stopped. It is now bolted back in place. The local garage also inspected for other damage and did not find anything.

This morning at 0650 (my first drive since Thursday) I reverse out of the drive, engage first, go 50 yards, change to second, the revs shoot up (4k?!) and then I'm pointing backwards again. Only 180 degrees this time, but enough to get the adrenalin off to an early start. It was raining but not icy and there was, again, no warning from the back end at all. Parked the TVR back at home and borrowed my wife's car for the day.

So, I think there must be something wrong ...
My best guess is that there is a problem with the slip diff (locked on or misbehaving in some other way) - any other opinions or advice would be most gratefully received. Hopefully I can get it back on the road for the weekend for the NYTVRCC alternative Xmas do ...

Check for a broken spring too - if the corner weights are out it will be more prone to wheelspin and locking up under braking. But it could just be slippery conditions, at low revs with moderate throttle the engine torque increases quite quickly as the revs pick up so if it starts to slide, it can spin the wheels up quite violently. Better to stay in a lower gear and use more revs.

[tapchapman]

Thanks for the comments. The tyres are about 2k miles old, replaced with SO3s all round recently. Not checked the tyre pressures for a fortnight or more so will do that as a simple first check.

Hand on heart it was nothing I did - I've driven the car 36k miles now and am used to its little quirks. Hopefully it will be being inspected later today or tomorrow morning.

[tripps]

jonesg1002 said: I know its obvious but have you checked the tyres for wear and pressures ?

I found that things got a bit hairy when the S02 non
pole positions got worn down but still legal on a chim500 until they warmed up which took a while in the cold and wet.

Would agree with that, my farming expedition took place on cold, still legal SO2's.

Otherwise fantastic tyres though.