Dangerous Instability on Wet Roads

[lyons]

I have a 1997 Landcruiser with regular road tires and have encountered very frightening fish tailing in some rainy conditions. Once did an unplanned 180 degree spin on wet road after applying brakes. Immediately went out and bought new tires but this made no difference.

Couple of weeks ago I was on highway in steady rainfall , doing about 80 KPH (50 MPH) and car swerved for no reason - I hadnt braked and there were no obstacles (except for water!) on the road surface.

A Toyota mechanic suggested that the problem might be wheel alignment and/or whell balancing.

Any suggestions from someone who may have had this problem?

Thank you,

Bill Lyons

[instantninja]

learn how to drive

[ej95cobra]

Check your brakes. you may have a caliper that isn't deploying. Check the front caliper on the side the car's tail went; e.g. if the tail went to the passengers side (counter clockwise spin) check the right front calipers. I did have a caliper that was sticking and had to replace it. Re: tires, I've got my second set of Michelin LTS tires tires on the truck and they perform great in all conditions; I got over 100k miles on the first set.

[jhbhatia]

new tires may not have solved your problem dude. For wet roads, you need tires meant for wet-traction. I don't know Jordan weather, if its anything like dubai..then you just stick with reg tires and drive slower for the 1week it really rains!

[84yotapup]

my dad has got a 91 LC and you have to really try to get it to loose control here in texas. it's mainly because of it's weight and how you handle your vehichle i would say.

[greenhills123]

Changing the tyre would be the last thing i would do. Some thing tells me its suspension related.Does you car have independent suspension(wishbone type)? The rear suspension will not be independent in a landcruiser, so im suggesting that a large bush is gone in your suspension. This type of bush would be that which stops the axel as a whole performing lateral movement perpendicular to the cars motion. Check you suspension mate.
Other possibilities may be a brake calliper piston thats become corroded. So when the brakes are applied the piston may have some resistance initially, that is suddenly over come applying a sudden stopping force to a specific wheel. Good luck mate let us know the problem.Can you belive people can write stupid @#$% like "learn to drive" huh learn to reply buddy!

Regards Bruce Appleton, Tanzania