ZT-T Handling Problems

FROGGY · 16th May 2008, 19:37

As title.
Just passed French CT (which is now very thorough), but I am not happy with the handling on rough surfaces. The other motors I drive on the same roads give no cause for concern, but the Z seems to be "flighty" at the back end.
I can feel the rear step out of line (OK, only a few inches) when going over rough patches, but it's enough to keep you wide awake at all times. I have driven quite a few cars with firm suspension, but they always stayed on line.
This is the only ZT I have driven, so have no datum point for comparison. I can't find any obvious problems in bushing etc., so anyone else experiencing the same, or any pointers as to what to look for?
Mick

Greeners · 16th May 2008, 19:44

is there any change if you add any weight in the rear?

FROGGY · 16th May 2008, 19:51

Very little.
It is a bit of a "workhorse", so often has a load on board. It just seems as though the shockers are crackered, but the CT showed them as 100%.
Mick

FROGGY · 18th May 2008, 19:29

Anyone else any ideas?

Mick

grossebaby · 18th May 2008, 19:33

I reckon your rear tyres are 60% plus worn, am I right?

My saloon starts to tramline at the back when they wear down a little, might be due to needing laser aligning but it definitely does start to feel a little odd and gets worse as the tyres wear more!

FROGGY · 18th May 2008, 19:44

grossebaby

About 50% worn, but it isn't tramlining. The rear definitely skips out by a few inches hitting rough patches when cornering. Not enough to throw you off line, but enough to ensure that you don't relax too much!

Mick

SKUDman · 18th May 2008, 20:42

hi- had exactly the same problem. If going round a curve and there was a manhole cover, the back end would skip out a few inches. Got so bad, I would avoid them like mad.
Also the rear tyres got really worn on outside edge. Went and got proper laser alignment done and both problems got cured!. Get it done every 6 months and all is ok!

David3807 · 18th May 2008, 20:47

Suppose you have checked the springs. Not Broken ??

FROGGY · 18th May 2008, 22:02

David - springs OK!

Skud - if I can find somewhere over here who can do the alignment correctly will give it a try, but rears are showing no signs of wearing on the outer edges.

Thanks for the suggestions

Mick

grossebaby · 19th May 2008, 07:40

Hmm the tramlining is accompanied by a skittish back end on corners!

I reckon laser aligning is the way to go, mine scuffs tyres just a little unevenly on the back but I don't know anyone here is West Yorks who will align without removing an arm and a leg. I've been quoted from £90 up to £160.

Ok so you should make a tyre saving but the uneven wear is not bad at all.

16th May 2008, 19:37	#1
FROGGY I really should get out more....... MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 17500 REAUX, CHARENTE-MARITIME Posts: 2,749 Thanks: 2 Thanked 133 Times in 90 Posts	ZT-T Handling Problems As title. Just passed French CT (which is now very thorough), but I am not happy with the handling on rough surfaces. The other motors I drive on the same roads give no cause for concern, but the Z seems to be "flighty" at the back end. I can feel the rear step out of line (OK, only a few inches) when going over rough patches, but it's enough to keep you wide awake at all times. I have driven quite a few cars with firm suspension, but they always stayed on line. This is the only ZT I have driven, so have no datum point for comparison. I can't find any obvious problems in bushing etc., so anyone else experiencing the same, or any pointers as to what to look for? Mick __________________ http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps628d4119.jpg IN THE BLACK NOW Last edited by FROGGY; 16th May 2008 at 19:38.. Reason: Can't spell after 6 units

16th May 2008, 19:44	#2
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	is there any change if you add any weight in the rear? __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

16th May 2008, 19:51	#3
FROGGY I really should get out more....... MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 17500 REAUX, CHARENTE-MARITIME Posts: 2,749 Thanks: 2 Thanked 133 Times in 90 Posts	Very little. It is a bit of a "workhorse", so often has a load on board. It just seems as though the shockers are crackered, but the CT showed them as 100%. Mick __________________ http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps628d4119.jpg IN THE BLACK NOW

18th May 2008, 19:29	#4
FROGGY I really should get out more....... MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 17500 REAUX, CHARENTE-MARITIME Posts: 2,749 Thanks: 2 Thanked 133 Times in 90 Posts	Anyone else any ideas? Mick __________________ http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps628d4119.jpg IN THE BLACK NOW

18th May 2008, 19:33	#5
grossebaby Gets stuck in SUBARU LEGACY DIESEL Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Halifax Posts: 508 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	tyres I reckon your rear tyres are 60% plus worn, am I right? My saloon starts to tramline at the back when they wear down a little, might be due to needing laser aligning but it definitely does start to feel a little odd and gets worse as the tyres wear more! Last edited by grossebaby; 18th May 2008 at 19:34.. Reason: spelling

18th May 2008, 19:44	#6
FROGGY I really should get out more....... MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 17500 REAUX, CHARENTE-MARITIME Posts: 2,749 Thanks: 2 Thanked 133 Times in 90 Posts	grossebaby About 50% worn, but it isn't tramlining. The rear definitely skips out by a few inches hitting rough patches when cornering. Not enough to throw you off line, but enough to ensure that you don't relax too much! Mick __________________ http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps628d4119.jpg IN THE BLACK NOW

18th May 2008, 20:42	#7
SKUDman Avid contributor Rover75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 124 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	hi- had exactly the same problem. If going round a curve and there was a manhole cover, the back end would skip out a few inches. Got so bad, I would avoid them like mad. Also the rear tyres got really worn on outside edge. Went and got proper laser alignment done and both problems got cured!. Get it done every 6 months and all is ok!

18th May 2008, 20:47	#8
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Suppose you have checked the springs. Not Broken ??

18th May 2008, 22:02	#9
FROGGY I really should get out more....... MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 17500 REAUX, CHARENTE-MARITIME Posts: 2,749 Thanks: 2 Thanked 133 Times in 90 Posts	David - springs OK! Skud - if I can find somewhere over here who can do the alignment correctly will give it a try, but rears are showing no signs of wearing on the outer edges. Thanks for the suggestions Mick __________________ http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps628d4119.jpg IN THE BLACK NOW

19th May 2008, 07:40	#10
grossebaby Gets stuck in SUBARU LEGACY DIESEL Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Halifax Posts: 508 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hmm the tramlining is accompanied by a skittish back end on corners! I reckon laser aligning is the way to go, mine scuffs tyres just a little unevenly on the back but I don't know anyone here is West Yorks who will align without removing an arm and a leg. I've been quoted from £90 up to £160. Ok so you should make a tyre saving but the uneven wear is not bad at all.