Four handling questions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

msanford · 09-02-2008, 06:51 PM

Anyway, since I'm relatively new to the Matrix, I'm still trying to sort out which handling experiences are mechanical problems, and which are "just the Matrix".

First off (and especially for 3 and 4) my Goodyear Eagles are at the end of their last season, and will be retired. The treadwear indicator hasn't popped yet, but it's close. I have a manual transmission, front-wheel drive, with correctly-inflated nitrogen-pressurized tires and rear drum brakes.

1. I noticed that while braking and coming to a stop, sometimes, the car will turn to one side or the other. Not so much pull, but the wheel turns as much as 1/3 rotation. Is this simply the camber of the road, or is it an alignment problem? It doesn't always happen, and it seems only to happen when braking relatively hard.

2. I'm getting a vibration in the steering wheel at 110 km/h. Wheel balance? (I had assumed this would be done by the dealer when I purchased the car 2 months ago!

)

3. When accelerating spiritedly from a stop on a less than ideal road surface (somewhat wet or a little sandy) I get a bit of grip, but then one of the wheels will start pounding hard (it sounds like a sledgehammer hitting the axle). Obviously I'm accelerating too hard in that instance, but what causes that pounding? I've never had that on the other 4 cars I've previously driven regularly (none of them Toyotas).

4. When accelerating spiritedly at WOT, shifting at redline (not power shifting) from a stop on an ideal road surface, the vehicle wanders from side to side. Normal, or alignment issue? We're talking city roads, not a track, so could it just be a not perfectly even surface?

Thanks for indulging me!

TRXR4KDS · 09-03-2008, 10:13 AM

1. Could likely be the rotors are warped, possibly the dealer just put new pads on to sell it.

2. Again, normal as tires get close to the end of their life. Uneven tread wear, inside to outside, etc. ever so slight will cause this.

3. LSD differential will fix that but I doubt you're going to do that, big $$$$. Just need good grip tires and don't push it past the limit.

4. A little bit of torque steer, I believe.

msanford · 09-03-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRXR4KDS

1. Could likely be the rotors are warped, possibly the dealer just put new pads on to sell it.

Wouldn't surprise me, I'll have that looked at when I swap my wheels for winter (or maybe sooner if I feel bored and my friend with a lift isn't busy).

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRXR4KDS

2. Again, normal as tires get close to the end of their life. Uneven tread wear, inside to outside, etc. ever so slight will cause this.

I always park with my wheel dead centre, but last night I was lazy and didn't, and had a chance to inspect my tread wear: you're right, inside to outside is at least 30 % different (more remains on the inside).

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRXR4KDS

3. LSD differential will fix that but I doubt you're going to do that, big $$$$. Just need good grip tires and don't push it past the limit.

Yeah, probably won't bother with that

I was just curious what causes the pounding (it sounds the same as hitting a deep pothole, but repeatedly). Is it actually the wheel jumping? (I will be getting Nitto tires for next summer, too.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRXR4KDS

4. A little bit of torque steer, I believe

So, basically, it's normal operation and I need to get used to it. Not too surprising.

Thanks!

***mistamatrix*** · 09-03-2008, 01:47 PM

1. Turning while braking sometimes happens to me but usually I rule it out as rolling over uneven pavement. Especially at intersections the pavement has contoured to the shape of wheel path.

2. First thought was wheel balance. Next, alignment.

3. That's called wheelhop. Aftermarket motor mounts is a cheaper solution.

4. See TRXR4KDS.

msanford · 09-03-2008, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the terms; I found some (seemingly good) info goggling "wheel hop" and "torque steer".

If I get any of this under control with modifications (mechanical or operator

I'll update...

TRXR4KDS · 09-04-2008, 07:56 AM

Hey, msanford, a little off topic but we (MO, 9thgen & newcelica) are having an Ottawa meet Sunday, Sept. 21st, starting at 11:00 AM at IKEA at Pinecrest.

And on the Nitto tires, I think you can do better for less $$.

msanford · 09-04-2008, 09:53 AM

If I'm in town (which I likely will be), I'm there.

I'm open to recommendations on tires, like everything else

They just struck me as pretty good.

msanford · 10-22-2008, 05:43 PM

Regarding #2 – I've just installed my winter tires on new steel rims, which has obliterate the vibration.

For others' reference, I am pretty sure that it is uneven tire wear that caused the vibration, and not wheel balance, since:
1) The wheels had been balanced twice by two independent garages, and
2) There were odd handling characteristics even at lower speeds (wheel tipping from side to side, for example, at 60 km/h).

***mistamatrix*** · 10-22-2008, 10:24 PM

Well if you replace those Goodyear's come spring and the vibrations are gone then you'll finally know for sure they were the culprit!

msanford · 10-22-2008, 10:53 PM

And I didn't realize that Goodyear Eagle came in F1 slicks.

Oh, no, there's just no tread left.

Actually, I'm kind of afraid that it might be my wheel. If so, I'll only know when I've already bought new tires to fit these wheels. If I need to chuck them, I'll probably replace them with 17"s... Dilemma.