pdexta

I seem to be having some suspension issues with my car. Lifting the throttle, or engaging the clutch while in a turn results in a rear end wiggle. It feels like the back end of the car steps out a couple inches. This doesn't have to occur at or even remotely close to the limit. I can be in a long sweeping turn in 5th gear at 40mph, engage the clutch and the rear end seems to step to the outside. It's certainly not the tires breaking loose or anything, and it definitely isn't normal (I had an S2000 before this one that never did it). The car also seems to be more twitchy than my other S2000 and sits a good half inch or so lower than other stock suspension S2ks.

I'm assuming that my shocks are shot, but maybe the backend wiggle may be a completely unrelated issue? Doesn't seem like bad shocks would do that, but I have no idea. Any suspension guru's out there that have an idea what might be going on? Maybe it's an axle/diff problem? Any questions you might have for diagnosis let me know and I'll see what I can do to answer them as best I can.

Also, are there any decent replacement shocks available that won't set me back $600+? Or is there something else I should be looking to in order to solve my problems? Thanks so much for the help.

jyeung528

1st, you should get the alignment checked out.

westend is good.

is your suspension not stock?

how are your tires? do you have mis-matched front/rear tires? are they worn?

TitusS2k

It could be an asortment of different small issues. Id say it might be a wheel alignment issue. Or maybe even a balace issue. Or you might be possibly loosing traction when driving. I know my rear end shimmys back and forth when im driving in the rain on the highway and im driving over the tar they fill in cracks with... you know what im talkin about!

pdexta

I've had an alignment recently, probably 5000 miles ago, it seemed to help the handling some, but didn't get rid of the wiggle. Tires are Hankook RS2's with good tread, probably 3000 miles on them. I bought the car used, it appears to have stock shock and springs, but the car sits lower than stock. I really don't think the springs were cut, as the previous owner was certainly not cheap with his mods. Cutting springs rather than spending $150 on new ones seems a bit odd when you've already thrown $10,000 into the car. The wiggle definitely isn't a traction issue, although I do have traction issues at times Thanks for the help guys, I'd love to get this worked out.

jyeung528

a stock suspension that sits lower would definitely sound like it could cause a problem.

negcamber

Toe out at the rear can make it feel very twitchy.

A blown shock on one side can do that too. Or if the suspension is not stock, ie if they are adj for rebound, then check to see that they are both adjusted to the same stiffness.

EDIT...one other thing based on your last post...was the suspension put BACK to stock? I wonder if the springs got switched front to back.

BlownAP

start with the easy stuff. tire pressure, than alignment.

jyeung528

tire pressure...thats starting real easy.

BlownAP

have you ever driving your car with one side lower than the other, it drives just like he is explaining...... I know it may seem obvious, but it never hurts to check the easy things first!

SpitfireS

As mentioned I would check & double check tire pressure (with COLD tires) first.

Those Hankook Ventus R-S2 have wide radial grooves.
I had tires like that once and the symptoms you describe, the "wiggle" and "stepping out" are exactly the same.
A frightning experience, the tires were changed 3 days later.
I have to admit I only had those on the rear, which is a huge : mix&match tires on an S2000 (any car really).
I'm assuming you have this type of Hankook tire on all 4 wheels.
What sizes?

I'm so happy now with my S-02's