1500 TC Turn in Oversteer

[storeyn]

No that I have started to drive my 1500 TC as a daily, I have notice some quite severe oversteer on Left hand turns.

Once you are aware its not too bad but can catch you out. Doesn't happen (well I've not noticed) on right hand turns.

I am running sprint alloys with 30 psi all round. I am assuming i need to change the suspension bushes on the rear, they all look in reasonable condition and have just passed an MOT so thinking they should be acceptable?

I may be spoilt with my sprint which is polybushed and corners exceptionally well (I can't take any credit for that though as it was built by MadMart)

It has a rear anti-roll bar which I assume wasn't standard fit when new... (the 1500 TC that is)

Anybody thoughts on what best to do?

Thanks in advance

Nigel

[cleverusername]

The fact it happens one you turn one way and not the other suggests a fault. My first guess is bushes, I wouldn't rely on the MOT man. Saying that, the bushes on the rear of a Dolly don't seem to wear that much.

Are you running the same tyres on every corner? Do you have a directional tyre on the wrong way?

I assume if you are turning left, the weight is being transferred onto the left hand rear wheel and that is letting go. Whereas when you turn right, the right hand rear wheel is where most of the grip is. Though I am no suspension expert, so I could have that completely wrong.

So maybe one of the components at the left hand rear is worn or bent?

Anyway I am sure someone who knows more than me will be by in a minute.

[Carledo]

The fact it happens one you turn one way and not the other suggests a fault. My first guess is bushes, I wouldn't rely on the MOT man. Saying that, the bushes on the rear of a Dolly don't seem to wear that much.

Are you running the same tyres on every corner? Do you have a directional tyre on the wrong way?

I assume if you are turning left, the weight is being transferred onto the left hand rear wheel and that is letting go. Whereas when you turn right, the right hand rear wheel is where most of the grip is. Though I am no suspension expert, so I could have that completely wrong.

So maybe one of the components at the left hand rear is worn or bent?

Anyway I am sure someone who knows more than me will be by in a minute.

Not quite right, when turning left, the load is on the right side suspension and particularly if oversteer is resulting, the right rear wheel is the one breaking away.

i'd be looking hard at that particular right rear tyre, and also the shocker in the same corner. I'm not inclined to blame the bushes at this stage, i've run some pretty bad ones in my time without drastic results. One other and slightly counterintuitive thing to check is the front inner TCA bushes, if original to the TC it will have for real bushes not the semi rose joint of a Dolomite. These can and do wear quite badly and can cause all sorts of strange handling characteristics. Chris Witor does a dedicated Toledo poly kit for this.

I'm also a little distubed by the presence of a rear A R bar, it's my understanding that the 1500TC didn't even have a front one from new! (like the Toledo) If it's had a front one retrofitted as well then fair enough, if it hasn't, then the car's balance will have been seriously disturbed by the rear one!

I'd also regard 30 psi as a tad hard for a Dolomite rear tyre, 26-28 is nearer the mark IMO even with a Sprint size low profile tyre.

Oh, and check the tracking!!!!

Steve

[cleverusername]

The fact it happens one you turn one way and not the other suggests a fault. My first guess is bushes, I wouldn't rely on the MOT man. Saying that, the bushes on the rear of a Dolly don't seem to wear that much.

Are you running the same tyres on every corner? Do you have a directional tyre on the wrong way?

I assume if you are turning left, the weight is being transferred onto the left hand rear wheel and that is letting go. Whereas when you turn right, the right hand rear wheel is where most of the grip is. Though I am no suspension expert, so I could have that completely wrong.

So maybe one of the components at the left hand rear is worn or bent?

Anyway I am sure someone who knows more than me will be by in a minute.

Not quite right, when turning left, the load is on the right side suspension and particularly if oversteer is resulting, the right rear wheel is the one breaking away.

i'd be looking hard at that particular right rear tyre, and also the shocker in the same corner. I'm not inclined to blame the bushes at this stage, i've run some pretty bad ones in my time without drastic results. One other and slightly counterintuitive thing to check is the front inner TCA bushes, if original to the TC it will have for real bushes not the semi rose joint of a Dolomite. These can and do wear quite badly and can cause all sorts of strange handling characteristics. Chris Witor does a dedicated Toledo poly kit for this.

I'm also a little distubed by the presence of a rear A R bar, it's my understanding that the 1500TC didn't even have a front one from new! (like the Toledo) If it's had a front one retrofitted as well then fair enough, if it hasn't, then the car's balance will have been seriously disturbed by the rear one!

I'd also regard 30 psi as a tad hard for a Dolomite rear tyre, 26-28 is nearer the mark IMO even with a Sprint size low profile tyre.

Oh, and check the tracking!!!!

Steve

The fault is on the rightside because the weight is transferred to the left, so the left side has more grip. Meaning the right side breaks away first?

I did think about the front suspension but I wasn't sure how it would affect the rear of the car. Suspension is a bit of a dark art, i don't really understand it. I leave it how the factory set it up and don't fiddle with it.

[storeyn]

Hi All

Thank you for info... Had a quick look at the car this morning and it has a front and rear anti roll bar fitted. Even though it is badged as 1500TC I think it has some mods over the years. It more resembles a 1500HL now.

I will at the weekend check the axle number to see if it is from a later car, which i am suspecting it is as speedo calibration is about 5/6mph slow so suspect a different ratio? It has overdrive fitted too which i am not sure whether 1500TC had these as an option or not.

I have new tyres all round F590 Firestones 185/70's just a thought I am assuming the rolling radius is the same as the standard fit tyre, which may be the cause of my speedo error..

Anyway I also had a quick check of the shocks on the back and they both seem to damp at a similar rate and come to rest in half a bounce but I will have a closer look at the weekend along with the TCA bushes too

I'll adjust the tyre pressures also to see if that improves the situation. I had the tracking checked and adjusted when I had it MOT''d the values for toe and camber now look good, although slightly more camber on the right hand side but well within the tolerance.

There doesn't seem to be any uneven wear on the rear tyres and they don't have any direction marks on them...

The investigation continues...

[cliftyhanger]

I have new tyres all round F590 Firestones 185/70's just a thought I am assuming the rolling radius is the same as the standard fit tyre, which may be the cause of my speedo error..

185/70 is a bit bigger by 11mm/2% but you are doing well, my speedo underreads by 20%, which is licence loosing if I forget.

Do they still make those firestones?? Not seen them for years.

[Bumpa]

I put Sprint wheels on my 1850HL with 175/70 x 13 tyres and the speedo is just about accurate compared with the sat nav. I would certainly use lower tyre pressures. On my car I have 22 front and 24 rear. I'm sure some will say that's too low, but it gives a comfortable ride and the handling seems fine to me. I'm not one for cornering on the door handles!

[Triumph1300]

Have a look at the drag link bushes at the front.........

[storeyn]

Hi All

I have checked the back of the car out and all seems ok, new bushes were fitted by the previous owner and all look pretty good.

There is no obvious wear on any of the tyres, so far but will keep an eye on them

No obvious problems with the dampers and springs, so have ordered a set of TCA and drag link bushed for the front. So I will change them over next weekend.

Have adjusted the tyre pressures which seems to have made some improvement, although it may be me getting used to it.

[cliftyhanger]

I had horrendous wobblyness on the Toledo. Turned out the 18 month old axle tie-rod bushes were falling apart. Not pleased, fitted poly and normality resumed.

[storeyn]

I have replaced, lower wishbone, drag arm and anti roll bar bushes on the front and one ball joint that had a lot of play in it...

All now good... steering is much more positive and no dive off to the left during a turn... happy days...