Handing not clever !

[midlife crisis]

Being the relatively recent purchaser of a Tuscan (3 months in) I must say that despite a couple of minor issues I am thoroughly loving the experience.

I am however rather concerned with way the thing handles, as it is very twitchy. I expected a handful round corners / in the wet etc but was not expecting the sorts of problems I’m getting in a straight line.

Is this normal ?

If it’s not normal what could the problem be..........

Am I running the incorrect tyre pressures ? - What would you suggest

Do I need to invest in a set of Nitron shocks and if so how do I check I haven't already got them?

Do I need to accept I can't drive, buy a porsche and let it drive for me?

Any opinions gratefully received

P

Edited by midlife crisis on Tuesday 3rd July 16:18

[yzf1070]

midlife crisis said:

Being the relatively recent purchaser of a Tuscan (3 months in) I must say that despite a couple of minor issues I am thoroughly loving the experience.

I am however rather concerned with way the thing handles, as it is very twitchy. I expected a handful round corners / in the wet etc but was not expecting the sorts of problems I’m getting in a straight line.

Is this normal ?

If it’s not normal what could the problem be..........

Am I running the incorrect tyre pressures ? - What would you suggest

Do I need to invest in a set of Nitron shocks and if so how do I check I haven't already got them?

Do I need to accept I can't drive, buy a porsche and let it drive for me?

Any opinions gratefully received

P

Edited by midlife crisis on Tuesday 3rd July 16:18

Nitrons made a tremendous difference to mine. But I would suggest you also get the tracking set up properly as well. Its money well spent in my opinion.

Regrads
G

[so called]

They are renowned for the tramlining problem. I have got used to it but
There is a lot of info on here as to what reduces the problem.
Also there is a lot of info about getting your geometry set up which also makes a lot of difference.
Even if your cars relatively new, i've seen comments on here that most Tuscans were miles out when they left the factory.
Mine is fine in a straight line until I get into relatively minor truck tracks.

[midlife crisis]

So my first point of call would be to get a geometry check done and see what difference that makes....

I'm assuming my local (coughs) kwik fit/ats etc will be next to useless, so can anyone recommend a decent place for a geometry check in the Cheshire / Manchester area

[tuscany]

I have had the same problems and found tweaking the geometry made such a difference. When cornering in the dry the back end felt like it was rolling on the tyre walls and in a straight line the front end would wander and change direction far too easy.

I ended up reducing the negative camber on the back from 2 to 1 degree. And the reduced the toe-in at the front.
I still feel like the P.A.S has too much pressure and its little vague at 90 mph + but its much better. I have considered reducing the front camber it appears easy enough

[jvr]

Yep the steering is on a too short a rack,but is actually fine for the 'Ring' to my surprise.I've got the standard setup on my S and its fine for most work ,goes in a straight line and no tramlinig,however push it on narrow country lanes where the surface has been dug up for cables etc and relaid by Murfy&Murfey it will tend to buck and weave and make life interesting.Best to slow down.
Paul

[Tuska]

Hate to repeat the posts above but tramlining is a known Tuscan fault. The factory suspension is just NOT up to the job.
Get Nitrons fitted and get a proper geometry set up done at the same time including corner weighting.
It cost me £1200+VAT (all in inc. parts) and transformed the handling.
I no longer have to travel with a spare set of underpants in the boot!!

[goon1001]

Mine felt the same when I got the car in feb. Just seemed a little too twitchy. Since then have :

Changed tyre pressures 24 from 26 rear,
Change tyres from 225/35 18 to 235/40 18 and this made a huge difference.
Set up the nitrons a little bit more than they were and adjusted the dampening rates.

Easy to see if you have nitrons, just get under and look for threaded tubes on the shock absorbers and thumb screw knobs on the top of dampners for adjusting the rates.

[so called]

For geometry, you could try Torque RVT in Middlewich.
Very good indi.
Ask to speak to Derek.

[timmybob]

And, depending on your budget and requirements, you could always look at a cheaper set of shocks. The Gaz ones on mine (combined with a geometry set up) have transformed the handling!

[timmybob]

And, depending on your budget and requirements, you could always look at a cheaper set of shocks. The Gaz ones on mine (combined with a geometry set up) have transformed the handling!

[midlife crisis]

I've booked her in at RVT on the 18th for a geometry check.

I'll let you all know if it makes any difference, if not I'll be back on asking about which kind of shocks !!!!

thanks everyone

[dumbfunk]

Can I ask what tyres you have on there?
I have a Griff but I've driven plenty of Tuscans and the matching/quality of tyres made a huge difference!


dumbfunk

[midlife crisis]

I have 235/40 18s fron 245/40 rear

Matched all round Bridgestone Potenza S-02

[dumbfunk]

midlife crisis said:

I have 235/40 18s fron 245/40 rear

Matched all round Bridgestone Potenza S-02

All good stuff! Get yourself down to Ian's for a geometry setup before you spend any real money on dampers and the like. Worn bushes and ball joints can make a huge difference too so make sure they all get checked out.

Remember to report back eh?



df

[midlife crisis]

Well heres the update......

After a little bit of back and forth from RVT and Derek, the upshot was the geo was not even close and the shocks and bushes were in need of attention...

The geo is now sorted, the shocks gone and replaced by a set of gaz golds and the bushes are on the list of things to be done when she goes in for a service in 1000 miles (should take me about a month)

Has it made a difference, oh my god yes........

My twitchy bouncy car that felt like it was determined to throw me over the nearest hedge, now goes where you point it and feels "tight". It's still not exactly easy to drive and requires some concentration, but my confidence in the handling is growing and as you get a bit quicker the "this is scary" and "the close your eyes and pray" stages are all but gone.

I reckon with the bushes done, i'll have a car that is fun to drive and which you can push close to the limit without constantly checking that the grim reaper isn't sat next to you smiling in the passenger seat, which would make it the car I thought I was buying.

I love my tuscan and wouldn't swap it for the world, but it should've come with better shocks as standard. Anyone out there with the same problem should take my advice, visit Derek or someone else similar and get them sorted, the best £900 i've spent in a long time.

P

[so called]

Hi Midlife,

RVT and Derek did mine on the 30th July. I then loaded the car and set of for France for my holidays with the better half.
On the way down I had arranged to call in to Silverstone Performance and get my 16"'s changed for 18" SP12's.
Also went from Toyo's to F1's
Wow what a difference, no more tramlining, no problems in the wet. Drove through some heavy down pours no problems.
Its hard to explain but like you I am enjoying driving even more than before. Fantastic.

[Mustang Baz]

midlife crisis said:

The geo is now sorted, the shocks gone and replaced by a set of gaz golds and the bushes are on the list of things to be done when she goes in for a service in 1000 miles (should take me about a month)

Midlife - interested to learn whether the upgrade/replacement bushes have made another marked difference? I have Nitrons currently and at 30k, am keen on ensuring the driving experience is as good as it can be ongoing.

[Bonedoc]

Just had top ball joints done at Leven, an amazing difference, tracking also set up, no change to the standard suspension.