Side hop....

[XCR]

Hi guys, I'm experiencing some less than confidence-giving roadholding from my newly acquired '99 V70 T5...
The symptoms seem to be described elsewhere on the 'net as 'side hop', with the back end stepping out slightly when cornering at speed (!) and the rear wheels feeling as if they're 'driving' the car....not nice at all.
I'm certain its an alignment issue and first thing tomorrow morning I'm booking in at a specialist motorsports garage....any recommendations in the North East would be very welcome BTW...
Has anyone else experienced this ?
Tyres are brand new by the way but it behaved similarly on the tyres I replaced.
I recently owned another ('97) V70 T5, so I know how it ought to 'feel'.

[SteveSarre]

Hi XCR

I would guess it is an alignment problem.

But if the alignment is out, then you have to work out why. Has something worn or was the car involved in an accident?

A front wheel alignment may fix the hop, but if you then go on to change various suspension components struts, control arms, wheel bearings, shocks, tie rod ends, rear trailing arm links etc then it would be a good idea to get a 4 wheel alignment which costs a bit more.

Hope that helps,
Steve

[XCR]

Thanks Steve.
Its getting a full four wheel alignment alright.
I'm certain its never had an accident and I'm suspecting component wear/adjustment at the rear, causing a little toe-in. It behaves perfectly when driven in a straight line at any speed but put it into a long corner under power and it feels like the back wants to step out. Its not scary, just subtley noticeable and I suppose if I'd never owned and driven such a similar car up until recently I'd assume thats how it should be.
I'm booking into a motorsport specialist in the morning for the full works.
Cheers,
Mark.

[DaveNP]

You don't say what brand tyres so can we assume something at least decent? although given that I have to push hard deliberately to get any movement in the back they'd have to be really poor to cause a problem. Also as they're new all round, different wear isn't the issue now but best tyres on the back even with front wheel drive.
I'd get the garage to have a good look over all the suspension and steering joints while you're there, the only time I've experienced jumpy steering in the V70 was when a steering ball joint deteriorated rapidly, over just a couple of months, after I'd hit a pothole.

[XCR]

They are decent tyres Dave all brand new this week.
I'm going to have every component inspected while its in. It seems related to toe-in and end links....
Theres a lot of info and discussion on this old thread which is informative and confusing in equal measure.
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showth...und-a-solution

I'll trust the doctors findings once he has had a fumble....

[XCR]

All sorted now with road behaviour as it should be.
Hunter Lazer 4-Wheel alignment carried out.
Offside Front was out.
Rear was well within tolerance.
Happy days.