newbie issues with steering

[Anonymous]

Hi folks Im new to this and could use some of your experience and advice. I have purchased an RCZ 2.0 hdi 4 weeks ago and have had nothing but issues with its steering. Firstly It slides alot and back end swings out going around roundabouts. I have had it back to the garage 2 or 3 times and they assure me there are no issues with the car. When I am going slow around 20 to 30mph the steering feels very light and juddery. The front tyres are conti 235/40 19 and the back are budget with ok rubber. The garage has balances front and back but I am still having all steering issues. Not sure what to do? I was thinking about getting another 2 conti tyres but dont want to waste money if this isn't going to fix the issue. I absolutley love the car but this is starting to make me want to trade it in

 

[tianorth]

Sounds like there might be low fluid in the power steering.
For the back to be swinging out either you might be going to fast for the grip of the tyres, or the grip of the rears is not very good in the first place.


Have you tried swapping fronts to rear?
If you start to slide the fronts then, you know it's the tyres, but if everything works properly it would look like the tyres need to be worked which on the front would mean they drive, corner and brake to get heat into them and provide more grip.

 

[renegade79]

some of those traits are inherent with a car that has 19 inch wheels. the hdi is a heavy lump and the steering is heavy anyway so its not an easy brut to move about. you will just have to get used to this. have you ever driven a car with 19" wheels before?

however, i would be pointing the finger at those cheapo tyres on the rears and replacing them with a better brand. they are expensive but michelin pilot super sports are what I used and they were magnificent. there should never be skimping in tyres n my opinion. even if you were to swap the fronts for the rears (as tianorth suggests) as an experiment to see if the problem persists or desists.

 

[DKZ5745]

I agree with the above comments.
On my last car, I put 2 Wanli (or something non description like that) on the rear, and almost lost it going round a fairly tight bend at @ 30mph. If I hadn't had skid pan training I would have been in the wall.
I would definitely try a swap front to rear, but.......
1. Be very careful jacking up the car (see thread on this forum) viewtopic.php?f=28&t=6328
2. Be careful with the locking nuts (ditto)
3. Be careful driving once swapped, if it is the tyres, you might get massive understeer.

 

[DKZ5745]

Btw :greetings-wavingblue: Welcome :text-welcomewave: once you have these issues sorted you are in for a real treat :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

I guess is the tyres. When bought my RCZ, the front had Accelera, the back Continental. Doesn't matter how many times I was annoying the garage for balance and still vibrating when over 60-70mph. No grip either. Swapped the front/back and same problem, slightly better, but was mediocre. When decided to brake the bank and ordered 4 Michelin Pilot Super Sport, I finally was able to enjoy driving the car. Many would say it's a specific tyre for summer but I had not a single problem during the whole year. Sure Cambridge doesn't get the worst of the winter, comparing with many other places, but driving to Scotland on icy roads in January and still fairly safe. Not going crazy, obviously, but was safe enough.
In most weather/conditions, just replacing the tyres gave me a whole different and more pleasant experience with the car.
As mentioned before, 19" are naturally "heavy" and the RCZ has a pretty accurate handling.
Just now driving my Sportage I can notice how fast I used to drive with the RCZ, corners, roundabouts. The car is fantastic, but on the wrong shoes, the experience will never be as it should be.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your advice. You have all settled my thoughts. The garage has already swapped front to rears and I had an over steering issue so have been swapped back. I'm going to purchase a pair of continentals. Still a bit disheartened that malkin motors haven't agreed to cover the cost. I have been in with this issue 3 times now and they assure me that the tred is sufficient. The master tech does say new tyres should resolve. Time to break the bank balance. Thanks again guys. I'll feedback once new tyres are fitted. Hopefully this weekend.

 

[tianorth]

Who ever fits the new tyres make sure they know about the jacking point problem.
If you have a search on here you will be prepared.

I have a 2013 diesel and still on the original tyres, no juddering or loss of grip yet, but I've had the jacking point issue.

 

[renegade79]

In most weather/conditions, just replacing the tyres gave me a whole different and more pleasant experience with the car.
As mentioned before, 19" are naturally "heavy" and the RCZ has a pretty accurate handling.
Just now driving my Sportage I can notice how fast I used to drive with the RCZ, corners, roundabouts. The car is fantastic, but on the wrong shoes, the experience will never be as it should be.

The cornering speed of the RCZ is very impressive!! I often could take roundabouts at 50mph and the car was stuck to the road.

Back to OP, even with continentals the handling of the RCZ should greatly improve and so too will the smile factor

 

[frankvdb]

Still Michelin will always be the best! I've got MPSS 19" for summer and Alpin 18" for winter.
The MPSS were even cheaper than the Conti's (of course this depends on your channel).