Rear end sliding out?

tres · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:24

Hi Motors,

I have a slight problem. Yesterday, whilst going around a round about at a normal speed, the rear end of the car slid around and scared the bajesus out of me. I wasn't going fast. It was a damp road, but it's the first time it's happened. The tyres all look fairly decent. Since that time, some corners that I go around, it feels like the rear end wants to slide out, like it is sliding a tiny bit.

Any ideas what this could be? If it was just the roundabout incident, I would have thought it was just aquaplaning or fuel on the road. But as I feel it fairly regularly, I'm a bit worried - especially as I have a 5 hour motorway journey to do in a few days.

Mk1 focus, 1999

Thanks

Stormster · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:36

Sometimes it can just happen. Happened to me not long ago.

Could get your tracking and alignment checked but I'd not worry too much, don't lift off mid corner etc

[TW]Fox · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:40

Stormster said:
Sometimes it can just happen.

No, it cannot. There is absolutely no reason why the rear end of an FWD car driven completely normally in normal non-extreme conditions with quality tyres all round and good condition suspension should 'sometimes just' step out.

There must be some sort of issue with the car - I'm going for crappy tyres on the rear.

Defcon5 · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:40

As above, check tyre pressures and suspension alignment.

It is likely you are lifting off the throttle mid corner, due to your corner entry speed being too high. Slow in fast out.

What tyres do you actually have. Its been cold lately, and your description of the tyres 'looking fairly decent' doesn't fill me with confidence

Juggy1985 · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:44

Cold slippery roads, cold tyres and cornering too fast for the conditions. Take your time when its this cold, cant drive like its the summer now.

tres · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:45

Thanks all, much appreciated. I guess I might have slowed a little in the corner, would that cause it?

A friend mentioned a scary word - "bushings" - might this be a cause, or is he talking rubbish like usual?

rodenal · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:45

Of its that noticeable and you have low profile tyres you'll probably find one is particularly low - check pressures in the first instance, also as above what make are your tyres?

Bushes can make the back end feel saggy but if it actually steps out they are unlikely to be the root cause

Jamous · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:45

Roundabouts can often have deposits of diesel on them from cornering trucks which have been carelessly filled or poor sealing tanks, combined with a throttle lift could be the reason.
If tyres/pressures are ok then it may just be that particular roundabout, is there a fuel station nearby?

tres · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:50

I did the tyre pressures to within a couple PSI of the max a few weeks ago (they were about 14psi from the max before that, and certainly haven't gone down as far as a visual check can tell) so I think the tyre pressures are fine. Especially as I didn't have this problem before the air pressure increase, or the month after..

acemastr · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:51

'from the max' ????

slap them to 32psi.

Liampope · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:53

What 'max' are you referring to? You didn't pump them up to the maximum pressure rating printed on the side of the tyre did you?!

Scania · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:56

As already said, diesel on the road combined with damp conditions makes this entirely possible, Christ I've experienced the same thing in both car and truck (which isn't particularly prone to stepping out!)

tres · 5 Jan 2014 at 18:58

Liampope said:
What 'max' are you referring to? You didn't pump them up to the maximum pressure rating printed on the side of the tyre did you?!

I think they said 42psi max, I did them up to about 37-38. Did I do bad?

Freefaller · 5 Jan 2014 at 19:01

Lifting off and braking can cause the rear to lighten up and come round, but sounds in your situation that either the tyres are naff or the geo is badly set up.

Getting the rear out is fun though

tres · 5 Jan 2014 at 19:02

I shall go let them down to 32psi, as I have just discovered I should listen to the car manufacturer's recommendation, and not just pump them right up. Thanks guys.

As for the rest, I shall be careful around corners. I have a long trip to do tomorrow. I might go for a "free tyre check" at kwik fit first thing tomorrow morning?

Iamzod · 5 Jan 2014 at 19:04

What tyres do you have fitted?

CaptainRAVE · 5 Jan 2014 at 19:09

Mine did that when the tread was getting low. Nearly lost it when coming off a roundabout. Changed them the next day.

tres · 5 Jan 2014 at 19:20

Well the rear tyres look like they have loads of tread on them

So I have deflated to around 32ish (as best I can with the compressor here), and will ensure I drive better (slow in, fast out).

Shouldn't worry about anything else until I notice more problems?

rodenal · 5 Jan 2014 at 19:20

Do you know the tyre size? I'm guessing something like 195/55/15 if it's a boggo focus. In which case 37/38 will be pretty high (though it shouldn't make the car behave all that skittish....42 might though) - somewhere around 30-32 feels about right but you'll have a sticker either on your drivers door B pillar or sometimes in the fuel filler cover to tell you what they should be.

What brand of tyre are they? The tread itself is fine, a good 6/7mm+ on them from the photos

Scuzi · 5 Jan 2014 at 19:22

Are those Pirelli P6000? There's your problem!