Hard Drive

Archives of Posts to the NZ MX5 List back in 2001
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Dr Chris Westinghouse

Hard Drive

Post by Dr Chris Westinghouse » Thu Nov 08, 2001 10:48 pm

Hi

I recently purchased a Japanese import 1991 Eunos Roadster 1600 and love
it!

But, there are two things that bother me : First, the drive is very very
hard indeed, and I feel even the tiniest bumps in the road. There is zero
springiness. Second, I feel as if I am going to lose control every time I
turn a corner - I have already spun the car on a tight bend, driving at a
completely sensible speed with good tyres.

I took the car for a shock absorber test and the fellow took less than ten
seconds to bounce the car by hand and tell me that the shocks were fine. I
had the wheel alignment done. I replaced worn tyres. I took the car for
a major service - just to be sure.

None of the above has convinced me that all is as it should be. I am
particularly concerned about safe cornering.

Any suggestions?

Regards,

Chris
From --------------------
Dr Chris Westinghouse
37 Sarsfield Street
Herne Bay
Auckland 1001
New Zealand
Tel : (09) 376 8924
Mobile : 025 220 9125

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Hi there

An interesting situation you have. How fast is "a completely senisble
speed" , and how sharp was the corner. The reason I ask is this. I have
taken sharp corners at completely unsafe speeds with tyre that have left
much to be desired and have never spun. Quite often I'll take a 90
degree turn and get some back-end movement , but then again that's not
altogether disturbing , in fact it's just what the doctor ordered.

Try some driver training , and if your worried slow down. Just don't
come driving with us.


Don't worry be happy.

cheers

MADMXV

P.S - The hardness of the suspension stops body roll. If your after a
softer suspension I've got an 84 corona . Wanna swap ???

Lou Girardin

Hard Drive

Post by Lou Girardin » Fri Nov 09, 2001 8:09 am

Hi Chris,
It all depends what you've been used to. The MX5 is a sports car with all
that entails, hard ride, resonsive handling, etc. It's possible that it has
stiff aftermarket springs and/or shocks fitted.
It shouldn't snap oversteer like you've described though. I see you've had
the alignment done, but was it done right? Incorrect rear alignment is the
usually cause of this problem.
Get a suspension specialist with experience in MX 5's to check it out.

Lou Girardin

Hard Drive

Post by Lou Girardin » Fri Nov 09, 2001 8:12 am

P.S Call Pete at Marshall Tyres, Newmarket. 5245500

Don Warrington

Hard Drive

Post by Don Warrington » Fri Nov 09, 2001 8:13 am

Hi Chris,

I would have thought the first thing would be to find someone local and
knowledgeable with a similar MX5 and either have them drive yours, or you
drive theirs, or both, to see whether there really is something non-standard
about the feel of your car. You'd be welcome to try mine, but I'm in Dunedin ...

Good luck!
Don
-------------------------------------

At 10:48 PM 11/8/01 +1300, you wrote:
[...]

darryl

Hard Drive

Post by darryl » Fri Nov 09, 2001 9:41 am

Try having a look at the suspension and see whats there. You find a nice set
of Tein Coil overs or something like that. If it has got aftermarket
suspension put in it in Japan then thats your, umm, well to you its a
problem. Japanese aftermarket suspension kits are usually very stiff due to
the fact they have roads to drive on. unlike us here in NZ, our goat tracks
require softer set ups.

Gary Morrison
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 100
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 3:24 pm
Location: Wellington

Hard Drive

Post by Gary Morrison » Fri Nov 09, 2001 10:25 am

Chris,

Ray here has suggested Rotary Power over on the North Shore as a good place
to take your car to have things like this diagnosed. They helped sort out
another member's suspension problem a few months ago. The car shouldn't snap
oversteer, and unless the suspension is very modified it should have some
compliance in it. Rotary Power would be able to tell you exactly what sort
of suspension you have, and confirm the alignment is appropriate.

I don't think you can accurately diagnose shock absorder condition by
"bouncing the car by hand" either.

Are you out there Ray?

Gary

Dr Chris Westinghouse

Hard Drive

Post by Dr Chris Westinghouse » Fri Nov 09, 2001 6:28 pm

Hi All

Many thanks for the advice received so far - some of it clearly
tongue-in-cheek, but all very helpful. I would like to take you up on your
offer of assistance Ray. Can I reach you telephonically at Rotary Power???

Once again, many thanks

Chris Westinghouse


On Friday, November 09, 2001 6:50 PM, Ray [SMTP:ray.yp@zfree.co.nz] wrote:
Hi Chris,
Gary is quite correct, we have a lot of members running Koni shocks,
stiffer springs
with stiffer sway bars, and the ride is still reasonable, Lou is also
correct, there's
some bad MX5 wheel aligners out there,
Once again we need to have a look at your car, maybe you have a set of
springs that
are reversed this gives you the ride and handling of a truck that you
describe apart
from the fact your car will be very low at the front, without a visual we
are only
guessing, Rotary power (north shore) will check your car any time you
wish to call
in on week days, if you need someone to look at your car this weekend i
will take
time out to have a look and a drive if you wish, sat afternoon after 2 or
sometime
sunday, i can come to you or you can come to me on the north shore, or we
can meet
somewhere, i dont like to hear of people with poor handling MX5's :-(
get back me on this list as it keeps the gang informed, if your new to
this list
you'll get a lot of good info here,
Ray :-)


Chris,

Ray here has suggested Rotary Power over on the North Shore as a good
place
to take your car to have things like this diagnosed. They helped sort out
another member's suspension problem a few months ago. The car shouldn't
snap
[...]

Ray

Hard Drive

Post by Ray » Fri Nov 09, 2001 6:50 pm

Hi Chris,
Gary is quite correct, we have a lot of members running Koni shocks, stiffer springs
with stiffer sway bars, and the ride is still reasonable, Lou is also correct, there's
some bad MX5 wheel aligners out there,
Once again we need to have a look at your car, maybe you have a set of springs that
are reversed this gives you the ride and handling of a truck that you describe apart
from the fact your car will be very low at the front, without a visual we are only
guessing, Rotary power (north shore) will check your car any time you wish to call
in on week days, if you need someone to look at your car this weekend i will take
time out to have a look and a drive if you wish, sat afternoon after 2 or sometime
sunday, i can come to you or you can come to me on the north shore, or we can meet
somewhere, i dont like to hear of people with poor handling MX5's :-(
get back me on this list as it keeps the gang informed, if your new to this list
you'll get a lot of good info here,
Ray :-)


[...]

Ray

Hard Drive

Post by Ray » Fri Nov 09, 2001 7:55 pm

Chris,
No problem, i always call in at
Rotary Power (443-5762)Mon,Tues.
I will call you at home now (7-00) if your online.
Ray :-)


[...]

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