Very Light Front End

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:59 am

I had a very nasty experience tonight....

Driving down our local dual carrigeway @ around 60-70mph.....taking it steady as the road was " Midly Moist ", and all of a sudden, the front end felt extremley light, I SHAT MYSELF.....

Any idea's what might of caused it ? The car has never done it before, The only thing that has recently been changed is new tyres on the rear and rear springs from an IS fitted.

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:31 am

Can you clarify what you mean by "light"? Was it in the suspension or steering?

After I replaced my CABs, mine went light in the front, but not suddenly. It was consistent post install, so I jacked the front back up, and tightened them while the front was still lifted, and that fixed my problem.

Point is, you need to just look at your front steering/suspension setup. Check your tie-rods, control arms and control arm bushings. Check your struts, springs, etc.

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 5:20 am

If it was the steering that went light was it just for a while or is it still like that? If it was just for a second or two it might have just been a patch of oil of something and the front end washed out or aquaplaned. The oil can be put on the road in the dry and then when the road gets "mildly moist" it can be very slippery but after a bit more rain it usually washes away. Would be hard to see at night too.

A similar thing: I don't know a lot about the UK but isn't it winter and snowing over there? Could it have been ice?

That isn't related to the tyres or springs but maybe that was just a coincidence.

If the whole front went light did the car tilt backwards or something? Maybe an improperly seated rear spring fell out but I think you would have realised if that had happened and it would stay that way until the spring was put back in.

Otherwise check your suspension, steering and wheel nuts like has already been said.

Aston

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 7:42 am

Aqua-planing?? (sp?)

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 8:58 am

PeteE30Tourer wrote:Aqua-planing?? (sp?)

this sounds most likely, as, assuming that the car isnt sitting "funny" e.g snapped spring.

what tyres/width are they at the front ? wider tires (eg 205/215 ) tend to aquaplane more frequently than narrower ones (175/185).

This is because the narrower tyres "cut" through the standing water better.

If you feel your car doing it again, GENTLY reduce the pressure of the accelerator, so the car slows, and HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS!!

you'll feel the car "sink" as the tyres begin to regain traction, and cut throught the water, and all will be well

I get this far too often up here, so much so I'm running 195's all round, instead of 205's

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:37 am

320Touring wrote:
PeteE30Tourer wrote:Aqua-planing?? (sp?)
this sounds most likely, as, assuming that the car isnt sitting "funny" e.g snapped spring.

what tyres/width are they at the front ? wider tires (eg 205/215 ) tend to aquaplane more frequently than narrower ones (175/185).

This is because the narrower tyres "cut" through the standing water better.

If you feel your car doing it again, GENTLY reduce the pressure of the accelerator, so the car slows, and HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS!!

you'll feel the car "sink" as the tyres begin to regain traction, and cut throught the water, and all will be well

I get this far too often up here, so much so I'm running 195's all round, instead of 205's

It was not aquaplaning, as it did not happen as i drove thrun standing water, but might of been some oil.

I was thinking about the tyre size myself, going back to 195 on the front as i do suffer from trammlining with the 205's.

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:45 am

sweet,sweet dude!

just as long as it aint a gubbed bit of suspension

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:50 am

320Touring wrote:sweet,sweet dude!

just as long as it aint a gubbed bit of suspension

I will still check the suspension thou, better to be safe than sorry...

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:58 am

kam-325i wrote:
320Touring wrote:sweet,sweet dude!

just as long as it aint a gubbed bit of suspension
I will still check the suspension thou, better to be safe than sorry...

yup! just trying to think what would cause the "lightness" as most suspension failures make it heavier....

Springs, wishbones/balljoints and dampers would be a good start, then anti rool bar etc....

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:57 am

kam-325i wrote:I was thinking about the tyre size myself, going back to 195 on the front as i do suffer from trammlining with the 205's.

My 205/50/16's tramline a bit but I haven't noticed any aquaplaning. I am sure it would on a patch of oil though.

Aston

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:09 am

astondg wrote:
kam-325i wrote:I was thinking about the tyre size myself, going back to 195 on the front as i do suffer from trammlining with the 205's.
My 205/50/16's tramline a bit but I haven't noticed any aquaplaning. I am sure it would on a patch of oil though.

Aston

Aquaplaning is generaly a result of: 1, Poor tyre design. 2, Lack of tyre tread. 3, Worn shock absorbers. 4, Worn suspension bushes.

Post Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:35 pm

Well for the condtions anyway. A car with good tyre design, plenty of tread, good shock absorbers and good bushes in dry or normal wet weather conditions could Aquaplane on a patch of standing water because suddenly the good tyre design with enough tread (in other conditions) is now unable to cope with the extra water.

My 323i has what seem to be good tyres. They are semi-race tyres (they are sometimes used for targa type events) and give good grip in the dry but they don't seem to aquaplane in the wet, although I haven't driven through much standing water at speed.

Aston