mr2 steering/front end problem!

[mr2-turbo-gar]

right dont really know where to start with this but here goes!

ill start with a few facts,

-front tires are fine plenty of tread
-both front under trays are missing
-tein superstreet coilovers fitted but not set up

in the last couple of weeks the steering has been very faint, at normal speeds say 40-60mph its fine but anything above it it just feels as if the front end is jus drifting from side to side very slightly. as you can imagine this is very worrying!! the roads have been constantly wet as well which hasnt helped either!

my theory is that it is partly tire related, the suspension needs firming and lowered slightly and i need two front under trays to stop the wind getting under the already light front end as im going along.

any suggestions more than welcome!

thanks!

[Marf]

Revision 5 cars had "speed flaps" fitted to the front arches which are supposed to reduce lift on the front end at speed. Not sure how effective they are but I cant see Toyota putting them on for no reason.

http://www.bradymotorsports.com/speedflaps.html

[MikeyMike]

My MR2 used to be terrible at motorway speeds drifting from side to side etc, I always assumed it was down to the alloys however it was only when I changed the brake discs that the problems stopped (strange I know).
Do you have aftermarket wheels? If so do you have the correct spigot rings fitted?
Bit of a long shot but could it be a power steering problem? I believe the power steering should cut out around 40ish mph, could be that there's a problem with yours causing it to stay on at high speeds which would make it seem quite light at the front because small inputs to the steering at those speeds are exaggerated.

By the way I also have Tein Super Streets fitted and I've had no problems despite not having had the geometry checked and adjusted.

[MrFlibbles]

I think its down to the missing undertray.

I knackered mine on a vicious farm track and the journey back on the motorway was horrific, the front end was VERY floaty.

Sorted once replaced....

[mr2-turbo-gar]

thanks for the fast responses lads,
was thinking the undertrays alright, maybe a warped front disk although she does pulls up in a straight line when braking hard.

it'll be the udertrays for me first id say though!

[mr2-turbo-gar]

im over in ireland and the clocks are still in km's not mph cause we are know using km's not miles

just home from work now, and again the car really does feel all over the place at any reasonable speed, im thinking there could be a fault with the power steering because it does feel very light all the time?

[GhostWKD]

iirc i ran one of my old tubbys without the front undertray and had no probs? could be wrong though but dont remember noticing it being any different to my others

I'd suggest first point of call to get the suspension/geometry setup, was going to be my guess even before you mentioned the unsetup coilovers

[System-G]

1st off Get the wheels pointing in the right direction with a propper geo set-up (not boggo alignment/tracking). You'll need to take it to Elite in Essex, Tyres Northampton or Power Station in cheltenham, I wouldn't trust anyone else other than those three to get it right.

Then take it from there.

I take it there's no excessive play in the steering?

[Herman Toothrot]

System-G said:

1st off Get the wheels pointing in the right direction with a propper geo set-up (not boggo alignment/tracking). You'll need to take it to Elite in Essex, Tyres Northampton or Power Station in cheltenham, I wouldn't trust anyone else other than those three to get it right.

Then take it from there.

I take it there's no excessive play in the steering?

or Wheels in Motion Chesham. I think its geometry, if your running too much neg camber it'll follow all the cambers in the road, particularly the "ruts" lorries cause in motorways etc.

I've had several MR2s and I've not experienced this "floaty front end" ever, all have been tracked and hit high speeds regularly, the current one lost its front under tray mid track day and I noticed no difference before and after.

[mjrc]

System-G said:

You'll need to take it to Elite in Essex, Tyres Northampton or Power Station in cheltenham, I wouldn't trust anyone else other than those three to get it right.

Some distance to go from ireland?!
Dont bother reading the op`s response...
its deffinetly the suspension/ coilovers setup!!