Fiat X19 instability
Discussion
My elderly neighbour has asked me for some help with her '83 X19 Verso that she's had from new. It''s done 25 k miles but she's lost confidence saying it pulls to the left and is unstable. Initially I thought it was because the front near side tyre loses a bit of pressure over time but today I pumped the fronts to 27psi and the rears to 28.5psi and took it down the motorway with her. All was well up to 60 but then if overtaken it gets pushed around a bit by overtaking traffic. At 70 it starts to get a bit unstable and when you take your foot off the gas the back end seems to want to wander. I'd say the front is ok, the back end not right and I really didn't 'want to go any faster.
It had an mot about 2 months ago and they advised the front tyres were getting a bit perished, which is true but they are Yokohamas with loads of tread. The backs are relatively new but some type of Indian budget tyre. I couldn't find anything wrong with the suspension bushes so guess it needs a pair of decent rear tyres. Does anyone have any other ideas and can anyone suggest some tyres which would suit it?
It had an mot about 2 months ago and they advised the front tyres were getting a bit perished, which is true but they are Yokohamas with loads of tread. The backs are relatively new but some type of Indian budget tyre. I couldn't find anything wrong with the suspension bushes so guess it needs a pair of decent rear tyres. Does anyone have any other ideas and can anyone suggest some tyres which would suit it?
You might get the alignment checked -- not sure of what adjustment there is on them, but wander with lift off might be the suspension going from toe in to toe out, which can get your attention pretty quickly! I'd also check the shocks.
At that age -- the car, not your friend! -- just about any rubber component will be at. or close to, end of life.
Don't know what's available in X19 sizes, but right size is going to be important. Yokos, Toyos, Rainsports? Camskills will have something.
Avoid cheapo tyres on anything mid engined -- they all bite!
At that age -- the car, not your friend! -- just about any rubber component will be at. or close to, end of life.
Don't know what's available in X19 sizes, but right size is going to be important. Yokos, Toyos, Rainsports? Camskills will have something.
Avoid cheapo tyres on anything mid engined -- they all bite!
Sounds like the sort of problem you get with Trailing arm bushes on rear some suspension set ups. It allows the rear axle to turn slightly causing a tiny amount of rear wheel steer.
Don't know how an X19 is set up, but I expect it will have something in the bushing to all some compliance in the rear alignment, which with wear will exaggerate and create the problem described.
Don't know how an X19 is set up, but I expect it will have something in the bushing to all some compliance in the rear alignment, which with wear will exaggerate and create the problem described.
TheRealFingers99 said:
Avoid cheapo tyres on anything mid engined -- they all bite!
But they wouldn't have been my first choice, I just kept them on due to having to endure 2 years of motorway driving, soon to be replaced with some lovely Yokohama AD08Rs!
Sounds like something worn or loose. Wheel bearings, suspension or tie bar bushes or rear ball joint. I run my x/19 tyre pressures at 22 Front 30 rear. The front is very light remember. The bushes will be perished or worn to some degree if they have never been changed. The fronts are sraight forward. the rear inners need to be pressed out and in. The rear ball joints are part of the wishbone and VERY expansive. But plenty of second hand ones around circa £75 or less. Even if your friend's ball joints are good I would repack them with grease with new boots to ensure they dont wear out. Genuine parts from Italy at good prices are available from from Euro Sport the X/19 spcialist. They have almost everything. For advise from ethusiastic experts go onto the X/19 section of the Fiat Forum.
We're in Bracknell but I haven't had a chance to look at it again and won't have this weekend either. I expected the MOT to show anything bad and rocking the car only appears to show movement in the sidewalks of the tyres which have the same rating as the fronts, 79T if I remember correctly.
If the front tyres look perished, they need to go in the bin, however much tread they have...
So four new tyres for a kick off.
The X1/9 runs Fiat Strada front suspension on the back so it's a first generation FWD front end with the steering arms swapped for a pair of fixed tie rods. Not much to go wrong there and not beyond the wit of the average MOT tester to spot if it is.
My guess is something out of alignment at the front or rear, crap tyres and a tiny old car that's going to get blown about a lot on the motorway.
So four new tyres for a kick off.
The X1/9 runs Fiat Strada front suspension on the back so it's a first generation FWD front end with the steering arms swapped for a pair of fixed tie rods. Not much to go wrong there and not beyond the wit of the average MOT tester to spot if it is.
My guess is something out of alignment at the front or rear, crap tyres and a tiny old car that's going to get blown about a lot on the motorway.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271541816099?ssPageName=...
You're welcome to these from my watch list. I'm after a decent set to sand blast and polish for my car.
You're welcome to these from my watch list. I'm after a decent set to sand blast and polish for my car.
Liquid Knight said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271541816099?ssPageName=...
You're welcome to these from my watch list. I'm after a decent set to sand blast and polish for my car.
Dam, just returned from a weekend away and missed the end. Would have been good at that price to test it out.You're welcome to these from my watch list. I'm after a decent set to sand blast and polish for my car.
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