Rear end seems light
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Lewisburg PA
Rear end seems light
I've only had the '89 for several months so maybe I just haven't readjusted to rear-wheel drive yet, but to me the rear end seems much too ready to hop on bumps and to slide sideways on any surface. The car does have Bridgestone RE71's on it and I realize that these aren't much for traction, but this wouldn't account for hopping. The shocks appear newish and pass the cycle-and-a-half test. Is this normal or are there suspension problems that could cause behaviour like this? Thanks in advance...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Rear end seems light (rmurcek)
Welcome aboard!!!
I know what you mean... is your car a Z51?
I beleive that the transverse leaf spring in the rear causes that behaviour you are describing. Converting to coil over is supposed to clear that up.
Also, these cars are noted for a certain aerodynamic limitation at high speed - they get light in the rear!!!
[Modified by bogus, 9:14 PM 9/2/2001]
I know what you mean... is your car a Z51?
I beleive that the transverse leaf spring in the rear causes that behaviour you are describing. Converting to coil over is supposed to clear that up.
Also, these cars are noted for a certain aerodynamic limitation at high speed - they get light in the rear!!!
[Modified by bogus, 9:14 PM 9/2/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: walled lake MI
Re: Rear end seems light (rmurcek)
yeah, i know what you mean. until last month i was driving a 99 v6 camaro, and THAT car has a light rear end. there's a bumpy on-ramp on my way home from work and the camaro's rear would feel like it would slide sideways on the bumps. it almost felt my 88 accord i used to drive had more traction in corners.
my 92 vette still hops around, but is much more controllable since the front-rear weight distribution is closer to 50-50. like bogus said, the hopping is partially due to the hard suspension, although i'm not entirely convinced it's the leaf spring. with a harder suspension, there are more chances the tire actually loses contact with the ground on bumpy roads. no contact = no traction. what's important, especially in real sports cars, is how the vehicle behaves when it regains traction. the vette does quite well, in my opinion.
if you are experiencing the sliding on smooth roads, check out your alignment. a positive camber can cause the car to lose some mad grip on the twisties.
oh, and when you do start to feel your rear start to slide, be careful not to let the throttle out too quickly. this can lead your car to snap back suddenly and lead you in the nearest ditch.
my 92 vette still hops around, but is much more controllable since the front-rear weight distribution is closer to 50-50. like bogus said, the hopping is partially due to the hard suspension, although i'm not entirely convinced it's the leaf spring. with a harder suspension, there are more chances the tire actually loses contact with the ground on bumpy roads. no contact = no traction. what's important, especially in real sports cars, is how the vehicle behaves when it regains traction. the vette does quite well, in my opinion.
if you are experiencing the sliding on smooth roads, check out your alignment. a positive camber can cause the car to lose some mad grip on the twisties.
oh, and when you do start to feel your rear start to slide, be careful not to let the throttle out too quickly. this can lead your car to snap back suddenly and lead you in the nearest ditch.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Lewisburg PA
Re: Rear end seems light (bogus)
Thanks! I've wanted a vette for 35 years and I love the thing.
Glad to hear it isn't just me. Nope, not a Z51. Actually the other extreme, the code list says it has the FE1 soft ride suspension. (Hard to believe considering my Firehawk-owning coworker jokes that he can feel the tar strips when he rides in my vette.)
Thanks for the spring tip, I'll search on that.
Glad to hear it isn't just me. Nope, not a Z51. Actually the other extreme, the code list says it has the FE1 soft ride suspension. (Hard to believe considering my Firehawk-owning coworker jokes that he can feel the tar strips when he rides in my vette.)
Thanks for the spring tip, I'll search on that.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha Wisc.
Re: Rear end seems light (bogus)
I beleive that the transverse leaf spring in the rear causes that behaviour you are describing. Converting to coil over is supposed to clear that up
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Lewisburg PA
Re: Rear end seems light (tempest)
I really agree with your comment about how a real sports car recovers. The first week I had it I turned onto a wet highway under too much acceleration and the rear slid a couple of feet. I was totally amazed that the car just plain didn't care that this had happened, it just kept going where it was pointed. I looked out the rear view mirror and the scene reminded me of what happens when you drop a little wind-up car onto the floor with the wheels already spinning - the back end skitters around but the car keeps going in the right direction.
The alignment thought is interesting; I'll have this checked.
Thanks for the tip about backing off. In the case of that first slide I was too surprised to back off. Since then I've been wary of sliding and I think I've felt the snap back; now I know why.
The alignment thought is interesting; I'll have this checked.
Thanks for the tip about backing off. In the case of that first slide I was too surprised to back off. Since then I've been wary of sliding and I think I've felt the snap back; now I know why.
