North American Turbocoupe Organization



Car seems to ride funny
MartyPA Offline
Senior Member
#1
When I'm driving on a major highway the car seems to float horizontally.I thought it might be the grroves in the highway from tractor trailers leave over time from their weight.I took it to monroe to get a free look at what the problem might be suspension -wise but they said they didn't see nothing wrong.I know I have a weak front left spring.Would this cause this?Well it's getting inspected now so mabye we'll see.How hard is it to replace the springs or do you recommend getting it done somewhere?(don't like playing with high compressed things).Thanks to any replies!
1988 TurboCoupe Automatic Black-Maroon Cloth interior--
No mods yet but someday when everything else is right.
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Scott Evil Offline
Senior Member
#2
Ball joints or tie rods. Mine did the same thing. Almost felt like the steering wheel was not connected to the front wheels.
1986 SVO 1D <19,000 miles
2001 Audi S4 Silver (the fastest color)
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MartyPA Offline
Senior Member
#3
Well it passed inspection.Hmm kinda makes me wonder.I thought they check ball joints and tie rods for the safety inspection.Is the weak coil spring still a guess?
1988 TurboCoupe Automatic Black-Maroon Cloth interior--
No mods yet but someday when everything else is right.
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#4
Marty, most TC seem to sit lower on the left side. Is that whay you are basing the weak spring on?

I had the drifting problem also and it was tie rod ends. I don't know PA inspections but I doubt they check those kinds of things. I would have somebody specifically check the tie rods ends

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm
Pete Dunham


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Turbofan Offline
Member
#5
Kind of a dumb thing... but check the tires. I had the same problem when I first got my TC. It just felt "floaty", like steering a boat. It rode weird. I had the suspension looked at... of course they told me I needed $700 worth of work done. I got a second and a third opinion.... turns out the V rating for the tires that were on the car was all screwed up. I had too soft of tires on it. I replaced them, problems solved.

[This message has been edited by Turbofan (edited 11-15-2002).]
I just want my Bird back!
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segfaultxr7 Offline
Posting Freak
#6
A lot of garages don't know how to check the ball joints on these cars. They are always under tension, so they don't really feel loose no matter how bad they get. Instead, there is a wear indicator on the underside of the joint. It is a round thing, about 1/2" in diameter, that should be protruding slightly (1-2mm or so). If it is flush or recessed, the joints need to be replaced.

Also, make sure your tires are inflated properly. I ran mine 5-6 psi low for a while, when I inflated them to what they should be, the difference in steering response on the highway was astounding.
88 TC 5-speed
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MartyPA Offline
Senior Member
#7
Thanks for the replies.I'll have the tie rods and ball joints checked out Asap.I do have the V-rated tire on the front but not rear.Long story.Thanks again.
1988 TurboCoupe Automatic Black-Maroon Cloth interior--
No mods yet but someday when everything else is right.
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