Roadster suspension

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  • stephenlilley
    club member
    Club Member
    • Nov 2011
    • 102

    #1

    Roadster suspension

    My Marina based roadster's steering seems loose when you go over bumps. I have put poly bushes on the tie rods. I cant see or feel anything that may be loose and has just sailed though its Mot. Any ideas? There is no banging or rattling at all just a loose feeling through the steering wheel.
    Thanks.
    Steve Lilley
  • David
    • Nov 2011
    • 1598

    #2
    Re: Roadster suspension

    By loose do you mean the steering is vague? If so then it's probably geometry, have you checked alignment etc?

    Comment

    • stevejgreen
      • Nov 2011
      • 3480

      #3
      Re: Roadster suspension

      Is this something new, or has it always been like it?

      Comment

      • stephenlilley
        club member
        Club Member
        • Nov 2011
        • 102

        #4
        Re: Roadster suspension

        Hi Dave, It feels like the wheel bearings are shot or loose track rod ends. It has a new steering rack and new track rod ends fitted last year. I will check the geometry though, it's a thought.
        Thanks for your reply
        Steve Lilley

        Comment

        • stephenlilley
          club member
          Club Member
          • Nov 2011
          • 102

          #5
          Re: Roadster suspension

          Hi Steve, Its always been there, To try to cure it I replaced the steering rack and fitted new track rod ends but its just the same.
          Thanks for your reply
          Steve Lilley

          Comment

          • stevejgreen
            • Nov 2011
            • 3480

            #6
            Re: Roadster suspension

            Which torsion bars do you have fitted? Two variants 19mm and 20.6mm, the larger ones were HD and will be too stiff.
            Have you changed tyres or pressures?

            Comment

            • cameronfurnival
              • Nov 2011
              • 2142

              #7
              Re: Roadster suspension

              wheel bearings +1

              Comment

              • Gareth
                club member
                Club Member
                • Nov 2011
                • 498

                #8
                Re: Roadster suspension

                Might be stating the obvious, but have you checked tyre pressures? Dropped mine to 18 psi all round and now handles brilliantly. It used to step out alarmingly when going over bumps on bends before.
                Gareth.

                Comment

                • stephenlilley
                  club member
                  Club Member
                  • Nov 2011
                  • 102

                  #9
                  Re: Roadster suspension

                  Definitely worth a try Gareth. They are 26 psi at the moment.
                  Thanks
                  Steve

                  Comment

                  • Gareth
                    club member
                    Club Member
                    • Nov 2011
                    • 498

                    #10
                    Re: Roadster suspension

                    Try 22 psi then go down bit by bit, driving over the same bit of road until you're happy. The car is so light, I would say 26 is far too high...
                    Good luck!

                    Comment

                    • stephenlilley
                      club member
                      Club Member
                      • Nov 2011
                      • 102

                      #11
                      Re: Roadster suspension

                      Hi Steve, I seem to have the 20.6mm torsion bar. I will try all the other suggestions first, if all fails I will look out for a 19mm one. (Are they easy to get hold of ?)
                      Never entered my head that one. Great advice, thanks.
                      Steve Lilley

                      Comment

                      • stevejgreen
                        • Nov 2011
                        • 3480

                        #12
                        Re: Roadster suspension

                        Try tyre pressures first 26psi would be considered high, cars have run on 18psi but it depends on tyre profile and sidewall stiffness. The springiness of the tyre has a great effect on handling.
                        19mm torsion bars are the most common so should be readily available. Some say that the bars become handed with use, perhaps noticeable on a new Marina but on an old Marlin, take what you can get.

                        Comment