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MG MGF Technical - Replaced rear Tyres - Now car does not handle.

Any ideas...

I have 2001 Trophy.

Replaced rear tyres with the same Goodyear E F1 GSD2, as was on the car.

Now the car does not handle very well at speeds over 45 MPH. Its very hard to explain. If you sit on the motorway doing 60+ MPH and the do a sharp short left or right turn, once the front of the car has stoped moving its feels like the back is sliding aswell.

Had the car back to the tyres fitters and with the aid of the MGF Centre on the phone, got the tyre fitter to have a look at my rear bushes. There does seem to be a little movement there (3-5 mill on each side) Would this cause thus affect on driving??? Do they wear out that quick?? The MGF Centre have recomended I replace them with PU Bushes? Will this stop the problem - any ideas??

Regards

Steve
Steve Marsh

My trophy has GSD3 XL all around, same problem as you, with PU bushes. The Problem was correct Tracking, now it is rock stable even at higher speeds.
T

Steve

loads of posts on this in the archives.. i had exactly the same as you a few months ago.. nightmare for the first 500 miles then slowly settle down and will be back to norm after about 1500ish miles..

It will calm down, it's just now you have very grippy tyres on the front and not so grippy on the back because of the shiny outer layer on the tyre.

This seems to show itself in massive oversteer, the back feels all over the place...

Take it easy for a few weeks and all will be fine..

Stu
Stu

Steve, Indeed PU rear tie bushes can rectify a loose rear end, however in your case it is a matter of having new tyres on the rear and not all round. When new F1's are fitted they have a releasing compound on them which first needs to be worn off and then for a tyre to achieve it's real perfomance it needs to go through a number of heating and cooling cycles. What you are experiencing is a set of tyres which are give less grip on the back compared with the front (v scary). I suspect that you have narrower front tyre, If however you have the same size all round you might benefit from swapping them around (BUT ONLY IF THEY ARE THE SAME SIZE!!!). Otherwise the option are to a) replace the front tyres as well (expensive option), b) go on a 1st Lotus driving day, this will bed the tyres in beautifully, or c) drive very carefully for a few days until you have a few humdred miles on them.

I had a similar situation on my car however i had replace the front tyres and the symptoms I had was very light steering. ie little grip, after a couple of week the tyres were great.

I believe that Bridgestone do not use a releasing compound so the problem doesn't seem to occur when changing. Just make sure you always change like for like or if not change all four at once.

Please report back and tell us what happens over the next few days/weeks.


Tim
tim woolcott

Thanks for you ideas... I had the tyres changed a week ago, I driven to cornwall and back the last few days and have put about 800 miles on the tyres, the problem does seem to still be there. Im having the bushes fitted friday, and also have the tracking looked at. I guess Ill have to wait and see. I should be driving down to the MGF Centre with Andy on sunday, so See how it is then.

Thanks Again..

Steve
Steve Marsh

Steve

As i said in my earlier post, it took mine about 1500 miles to bed in properly again.

Now its fine..

If it handled okay before you put the new tyres on its most likely to be the tyres..

Mine was really awful.. that was fitting replacement GSD2 205 15"s on the back, i've got 195's on the front so couldn,t swap them over..

I have the full Techspeed suspension package and poly bushes all around and mine still felt awful...

But now they are superb again

Stu
Stu

would it be better to replace all four?
stu

Steve

I replaced all four GS-D2's last year and had no problems at all from the start... problem was 18000miles later the front are fine and the backs needed changing..

I think this is only noticeable when putting new on the back only, just the front or all four don't seem to be a problem

I plan to go for 205's all around when the fronts are due for change, then if neccessary i can swap front to back in future.

Stu
Stu

Whenever I change rear tyres I've always needed to re-track. Once done its back to normal again.

Gaz
Gaz R

Hi,

Had the Pu Bushes fitted had all wheels tracked (Which were some what wrong!) However problem is still there. So Ill go with you Stu and give it some more miles B4 i look at anything else. Do you have the same problem if you buy a new F?? Or do you not notice it as much as all the tyres are new??

Regards

Steve
Steve Marsh

Steve,

If all four tyres are new you'll have neutralish handling but the grip will improve with more milage.

Tim
tim woolcott

Steve - what tyre sizes are you using front and rear? If they are the same, then try swapping the front wheels to the rear and vice versa.

Interestingly, Dave Livingstone had a similar problem to you when he replaced his rear Bridgestone S-02s. At Castle Coombe, his car simply didn't seem to want to handle, and inspired no confidence whatsoever.

However, having swapped the front pair of wheels to the rear, the car was transformed...

Just a thought...
Rob Bell

Rob,

You got bored reading through the thread then......! :o)
tim woolcott

Nope ;o) It was such a good point that it was worth repeating Tim - especially as I don't know what tyres sizes Steve is using (Steve?)
Rob Bell

Rob

original posting said........

>> I have 2001 Trophy.

Replaced rear tyres with the same Goodyear E F1 GSD2, as was on the car. <<

Suggest visit to optician !

Ps. Maybe i won't follow you around next week!!! LOL

Stu


Stu

Rob

O bugger ! NOW i've read your post properly.

looks like detention for me!!

oops sorreeeeeee...

hehehe

Stu
Stu

No problem Mr Magoo ;o) ROFL
Rob Bell

For those who don't know Mr Magoo - http://www.toontracker.com/magoo/magoo.htm

8o)
Rob Bell

Steve

I had exactly the same problem when I replaced the rears on my 2001 Trophy. Trust the comments above that say let the tyres bed in. I put GSD2s on the back because I heard nightmare stories about GSD3s. At first it felt like the steering was connected to the rear wheels! After 1500 miles it was back to normal!

However, I'm still treating my car to a full Techspeed setup next month - can't wait!!!!!!

Cheers

Paul
Paul

Ahh, back on topic.
tim woolcott

Hi all

I think I just need to listen to you guys and wait..have done about 1200 miles, and the problem is still there. Made a visit to tescos car park and spun a few dougnuts in both direction see if that might help...propbably not, but smoke looked good!!

Out of interest, I had the PU bushes fitted, do they actually make any odds as I dont seem to feel anything different???

Thanks again

Steve
Steve Marsh

This thread was discussed between 13/08/2003 and 23/08/2003

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