zx handling

chris998 · Post by **chris998** » 10 Jul 2004, 21:26

hi all, just bought a zx volcane td, which is great but the handling doesn't seem right, i've got a lot of oversteer in the wet, it basically feels like the rears steering the front and as u turn in it initially feels like its going to swap ends before recovering again, in the dry its ok but still feels a bit odd, i've heard of subframe bushes but i've done a quick check and they seem ok so i'm looking at the tyres, its got goodyears upfront but some budget "goodrides" on the rear, i've checked tyre pressures and they're ok so i'm guessing its the tyre itself, has anyone had a similar problem?
cheers
chris

Dave1 · Post by **Dave1** » 10 Jul 2004, 21:37

Thought you may be interested in this.
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... =zx,escort

rossnunn · Post by **rossnunn** » 10 Jul 2004, 23:35

The ZX is one of the best handling car's out of the box there is.
When you throw it into a bend, it feels like the back steps out, it doesn't of course, it just the rear beam doing its thing, the best way to 'feel' this is to enter a roundabout and exit it on the 3rd exit, half way round putting your foot to the floor, it feels odd to start with, but once you get used to it its sooo much fun!

wrinklet1 · Post by **wrinklet1** » 11 Jul 2004, 23:40

Chris998,
The ZX does have passive rear steering as does the Xantia, when you turn into a bend or corner especially at speed the rear subframe bushes allow the subframe to 'steer'the rear of the car. This in fact gives the car better road holding.
PAul

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 12 Jul 2004, 02:11

rossnunn, this is true but you can induce a lot of actual oversteer if you wish in the zx which can be fun/scary depending on if you meant it or not

from personal experience, when I got my 16v it had budget tyres all round which were just simply scary, vague grip at the front and so much oversteer it was a joke. Now I have 4 newish evenly matched pirelli p7000's all around its a totally different car and I havent touched the rear suspension etc. Really have to work it to get it to the point where you need to apply opposite lock now

I have an airfield based sprint coming up in 3 weeks that im doing in it as the Visa is still in bits so looking forward to that. Got 2nd out of 9 in it last year in class behind a civic type r however it looks like 2 are entering this time, will just have to drive quicker heh

arry_b · Post by **arry_b** » 12 Jul 2004, 02:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by chris998

its got goodyears upfront but some budget "goodrides" on the rear<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No, No, No!
Best tyres on the back, or the back end will let go first and the car will turn round in the wet.
As you've found out ....
If the fronts let go, the car slides wide and you may be able to recover it once you've lost a bit of speed. Once the rears let go, you've no chance!

rossnunn · Post by **rossnunn** » 12 Jul 2004, 02:50

I'm running Michelins, and they seem fine, wet or dry.
I went out today in the ZX, going through some open country roads (not hanging about) when I suddenly remebered the bend that was looming up was actually a very tight right hairpin. I'm off the throttle but he roads are damp so I'm not gonna touch the brakes and thinking, mmm gonna have to cut the corner here. Just as I start to move across there is a car comming round the bend. It was funny looking back because it all went very carm behind the wheel, as I thought, well its got two options really. 1) Go round the bend or 2) straight on ito the feild.
Needless to say the ZX scampered round this bend with a little squeal, and some skipping of the backend. I just wonder if I was in anything else weather it would have made it round.
Moral of the story? Always use that 'other' route home, at lease once a week, you'll remember all the bends then!!

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 12 Jul 2004, 13:24

yer as arry says, if you cant afford some new tyres for now, put the rubbish ones on the front, at least it will be safer to drive for now.
My journey to work is normally 7 miles down a tight twisty country lane which I know so well I can say what gear I should be in at any point. Used to go straight down there if it had snowed to play in the car as no one else would be down it. Unfortunatly its shut for another week as they are doing major roadworks so I have the joy of the main road stop/start in 1st gear

oscarloco · Post by **oscarloco** » 12 Jul 2004, 23:09

ZX handle really really well but as you all know, it's an acquired taste. I know this because I had a '91 Civic before and when I switched to the ZX, it was scary. Scary because the handling was so much different that the Civic. The Civic liked to be tossed around and you had to brake late to keep the momentum. The ZX likes finnesse and doesn't like an abrupt brake pedal release.
And of course, the rear steering feel. It turns really well but gives the senseation that the tail wants to step out.
But the horspower and torque of the ZX's 2.0 vs the Civic's 1.5 are like comparing Swiss Chocolate and Hersheys Chocolate, they are both good chocolate but Swiss is a very refined taste.
Long live the ZX!

davethewheel · Post by **davethewheel** » 13 Jul 2004, 03:06

the car chris is talking about was mine i just sold it to him, I've had the car for about 3 years and has always felt a bit tail happy, it had Goodyear nct 5 tyres all round but i recently replaced the rears with some cheapo's, i hadn't driven the car for a long while but my missus complained about sliding around in the wet my first thoughts were you must be going to fast or maybe diesel on the road, but then i drove it in the wet and what a fright i got it just felt like someone else was sitting in the boot trying to catch you out by steering the opposite way not a very nice feeling , Ive had all sorts of cars with all sorts of tyres but have never experienced anything like this [:)][:)]

tudor · Post by **tudor** » 17 Jul 2004, 03:57

As Arry says,allways put your good tyres on the back and your "good rides" on the front..!
That way you will be a lot safer when driving.
Good luck
Tudor, XM Est Deisil turbo automatic 95

Simon Canfer · Post by **Simon Canfer** » 18 Jul 2004, 02:17

I've driven ZXs for 6 years now, and love the handling: one thing about handling I've learned is that they work well on Michelins - new Michelins, not those 5-year old -still-original ones on the back. ZXs don't work well on Pirellis (or probably many other makes but I haven't tried). Recently my car started to feel very odd and had a mix of ages of Michelins (due to punctures) so I replaced them all and it's been fantastic since.
Simon

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 18 Jul 2004, 04:53

I am happy with the p7000's all round on my 16v. Never driven one with michelins however, but for an old car with shot suspension bushes it still handles nicely if a bit clattery

Simon Canfer · Post by **Simon Canfer** » 19 Jul 2004, 02:40

I was suspecting suspension bushes etc until I changed to new Michelins

Simon

Dave1 · Post by **Dave1** » 19 Jul 2004, 04:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Simon Canfer

I've driven ZXs for 6 years now, and love the handling: one thing about handling I've learned is that they work well on Michelins - new Michelins, not those 5-year old -still-original ones on the back. ZXs don't work well on Pirellis (or probably many other makes but I haven't tried). Recently my car started to feel very odd and had a mix of ages of Michelins (due to punctures) so I replaced them all and it's been fantastic since.
Simon
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
When you refer to Michelins, which ones have you got, there are various permutations are there not? I am about to buy tyres all round.