LCR Handling - Oversteer without lift-off

[cuprajim]

Has anyone else experienced a feeling in their LCR that the back end wants to come round on you when taking a high speed (60+) corner.

It feels like the car turns in, tracks the line but at a certain speed it feels like the back end squats (or shifts weight) suddenly and makes the car feel like it is going to break into oversteer.

Any possible issues that could cause this feeling? I am guessing Rear Arm bushes but these were checked recently and are ok.

Car is 2005 LCR with 60k.

 

[Feel]

Consider a rear ARB...

 

[mat564]

or taking the beer keg out of the boot

 

[cuprajim]

Consider a rear ARB...

I have considered the Neuspeed rear.

Will this really make the difference?

 

[Feel]

Without needing to go too "big" or change from standard suspension, the 25mm Neuspeed rear was cracking on mine. Felt like stock, but without the back end "wagging about".

 

[DannyC87]

I've found since fitted my Neuspeed Rear ARB mine is more stable in general driving, but with some provaction the back will come out rear spacers helped massively with keeping the back wheels following the front too.

 

[stewbie55]

I've found since fitted my Neuspeed Rear ARB mine is more stable in general driving, but with some provaction the back will come out rear spacers helped massively with keeping the back wheels following the front too.

Seconded - 10mm spacers on the back was a massive improvement

I also noticed when playing around with my adjustsable KW's that a softer damper setting was bad for over steer, so could also be sign of rear dampers having seen better days.

 

[karlosR]

rear ARB and spacers help no end but i still had a "moment" the other day where car tried to swap ends going round a bend. there was a lesson to be learnt from that........... leave the TCS/ESP on when the roads are slippery!

 

[Ruddmeister]

The biggest single factor I found was my mistake of putting better tyres on the front rather than the rear. I now know to my cost that had I put the better tyres on the rear it would have stopped the understeer followed by snap to oversteer.

Of course we 'should' all change all 4 tyres together but in practice it's usually pairs IMO.

After than I'd advocate a 'pair' of ARB's front and rear

 

[Lodgey180]

either i drive like a wimp or im just a hell of a driver coz ive never experianced any poor handling issues..
ive heard the ARB's are a good buy though..

 

[cuprajim]

Tyres are brand new Falkens (not assymetrics).

What are the average life span of LCR standard dampers? With 60k on the clock maybe it is time for the Koni's.

May also try the spacer route as mentioned.

 

[Ruddmeister]

What are the average life span of LCR standard dampers? With 60k on the clock maybe it is time for the Koni's.

One of mine failed after 30K but I guess it's a lottery I suppose your dampers are 3.5 years old now......Decent quality aftermarket dampers help no end.

I'd recommend just doing the ARB's first and seeing what you think, well worth the money. Along with a remap, dog bone engine mount and short shifter the ARB's were amongst the best value mod's I tried.

 

[andycupra]

can you confirm your current set up?

i agree the rear beam bushes are a potential cause.
as above
spacers
ensuring the rear tyres are no worse than the fronts. (the current weather doesnt help).
over-agressive turn in or lift off, (by driver or incorrect suspension set up)
ARBs are an option.
shocks ok?
tyres pressyres ok?

 

[Feel]

ARB over spacers, any day. At 60k, shocks might be past their best.

 

[ajoellew]

I sometimes find the back end starts to lose grip when cornering at speed but that's part of the fun!

 

[Ruddmeister]

ARB over spacers, any day. At 60k, shocks might be past their best.

x2

 

[cuprajim]

Current setup is:

Standard Shocks
Eibach Springs
Neuspeed ARB front only
New Falkens all round
33 psi

Regular 2 and 4 wheel track day lunatic driver

 

[jonjay]

Things that ill help the rear end from my experience in order of effectiveness

1) Rear ARB 25mm or 28mm. For Coilovers I'd recommend no bigger than 25mm to avoid the back being too stiff
2) Rear Beam bushes
3) Rear strut brace
4) 10mm spacers. I found that it made the car more balanced. They cause more understeer to counter the oversteer.

 

[Feel]

Current setup is:

Standard Shocks
Eibach Springs
Neuspeed ARB front only
New Falkens all round
33 psi

Regular 2 and 4 wheel track day lunatic driver

You have front ARB and no rear? That would make the back end worse, would it not?

 

[Nautilus]

1. Usually harder front via a harder ARB would push the car into understeer, since in the battle for grip the front gives up first...

2. You would be surprised to find out a 10mm track increase via front spacers helped my LFR to get rid of understeer, but now the steering is so light at speed that lanes can be changed even with a single finger

~Nautilus