Discussion
I've been lurking around this site for a few weeks now, reading up before I bought my first wedge!
Anyway, I got a 1986 350i convertable, in reasonable nick, good chassis, good engine, new mot - handles like a bag of shite - my vectra is better!!
The problem is the front end wallowing about - turns out the front bushes are shot, so I've got some new ones and new ball joints on the way I'm hoping that this will improve things as the shocks are good and everything else looks OK.
Once that's done I'm gonna get the wheels balanced and the tracking done properly, also I'm not really sure what the tire pressures are supposed to be - the fronts are at 36!psi and the back is 25psi - this is how it was when i picked it up.
If anyone can give my any pointers or suggestions on any of this - I would welcome it - also just saying allo and thanks for all the help over the last few weeks even though you didn't know it!!
Anyway, I got a 1986 350i convertable, in reasonable nick, good chassis, good engine, new mot - handles like a bag of shite - my vectra is better!!
The problem is the front end wallowing about - turns out the front bushes are shot, so I've got some new ones and new ball joints on the way I'm hoping that this will improve things as the shocks are good and everything else looks OK.
Once that's done I'm gonna get the wheels balanced and the tracking done properly, also I'm not really sure what the tire pressures are supposed to be - the fronts are at 36!psi and the back is 25psi - this is how it was when i picked it up.
If anyone can give my any pointers or suggestions on any of this - I would welcome it - also just saying allo and thanks for all the help over the last few weeks even though you didn't know it!!
36 PSI front seems mighty high to me, do you have power steering? If not maybee the last owner pumped up the tyre pressures to pretend it had light steering.
I run 24 front 26 back on Toyo's with no problems, any higher and the centre of the tread will wear out ahead of the rest of the tread.
Of course a Vectra will handle better than a Wedge its got proper modern suspension!!!
I run 24 front 26 back on Toyo's with no problems, any higher and the centre of the tread will wear out ahead of the rest of the tread.
Of course a Vectra will handle better than a Wedge its got proper modern suspension!!!
I run 24 front and 26psi rear on my wedge, while you've got the front end in bits you might want to change the antiroll bar bushes on the chassis at the same time, also check the brackets for the bar as well as mine are only held in with one bolt and a tag which can pop out if it isn't located properly.
Matt
Matt
Gotta agree with 350matt on the antirollbar bracket - it's a crap design. I ended up welding a little spot on my 'tab' just to ensure that it didn't pop out.
I have changed them once prior to this as well when they snapped!. Last time I also changed the bush to a synthetic hard compound and not the rubber type.
Mike
I have changed them once prior to this as well when they snapped!. Last time I also changed the bush to a synthetic hard compound and not the rubber type.
Mike
You sure it's not the front dampers? There's a fair bit of weight on the front sussies and it's not always obvious from a bounce test that the dampers are shot. Once underway, though, it would show up.
To be fair, though, the more mundane wedges don't have a wondrous ride; often I find that I can take certain corners/ curves faster in my company Combo van than my 390!
W.
To be fair, though, the more mundane wedges don't have a wondrous ride; often I find that I can take certain corners/ curves faster in my company Combo van than my 390!
W.
I changed the front springs on my 350 and it made a massive difference, mine used to wallow so much i smashed the front comming off a speed ramp - slowly. springs (uprated) are about £25 each from wedge automotive and are well worth the money, specially if you are doing any othe work.
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