Back end stepping out at low speeds in the wet

[Daveh]

Hi all

I recently introduced myself to the forum and have learned a lot about my Mk5 from the info on here. I've owned the car for a couple of months now and love it, but I've recently lost some confidence in it.

A few weeks ago I went round (over) a mini roundabout in the wet and the back end stepped out quite a lot. I put this down to the painted surface and thought no more off it. Then, yesterday I was again going round a full size roundabout in the wet and the back end broke away and I had to correct the steering to recover. I was going pretty slowly and it was really unexpected. The road did slope which won't have helped but it doesn't seem right.

The car has different tyres front and rear and the rears are 235's and the fronts 225's - the rears have a slightly larger wall so I'm guessing this isn't going to help.

Could this be the only problem ? My speed was slow and the slide was so unexpected I'm wondering if it could be something more ?

I never considered these cars to be tail happy - there could have been something on the road but I would have expected front and rear to slide if this was the case.

Any suggestions (apart from don't go around roundabouts !)

Cheers

[E30Dom]

Could be a numver of things...

Tyre quality and condition..
Geometry set-up...
Diesel spill...

JUst take it steady in the wet...  

[Andy]

Start at the basics and put the right size tyres on the car and put a good make on as well

[Daveh]

The rears are Dunlops so not the best ! What is the stock tyre size ? It's got 18in Monza's.

[RedED30]

Could be a numver of things...

Tyre quality and condition..
Geometry set-up...
Diesel spill...

JUst take it steady in the wet...  

Got it in one. i'll add tyre pressures into that and temperature, i'm guessing ambient is cold at the mo as round here it is.

Also check for the seating of the springs and the spring cups on the damper as a poorly located spring/incorrect/damaged spring can give the same sympthoms.

[Andy]

225-40-18 also get the alignment checked

[homesqueeze]

Get the same tyres all round. Also make sure your stability control (ESP) is turned on, but I'm sure you already know that!

[Coe]

Dunlop tyres aren't bad tyres. How much tread is left on your tyres? How old are they as the compound will harden with age.

I have had 235 width tyres on the back of my 18's. Conti sport 3's and had no issues in the wet whatsoever so I don't think the extra width or higher side wall will make a difference in the wet. Anyway it sounds like you rear tyres are past there best so replace them with a good quality tyre and once they're 'run in' your problems should be sorted.

I have had the exact problem you describe with various cars I've driven over the years and it has always been down to cheap budget tyres or old past there best tyres.

[scottm72]

Dunlop tyres aren't bad tyres. How much tread is left on your tyres? How old are they as the compound will harden with age.

I have had 235 width tyres on the back of my 18's. Conti sport 3's and had no issues in the wet whatsoever so I don't think the extra width or higher side wall will make a difference in the wet. Anyway it sounds like you rear tyres are past there best so replace them with a good quality tyre and once they're 'run in' your problems should be sorted.

I have had the exact problem you describe with various cars I've driven over the years and it has always been down to cheap budget tyres or old past there best tyres.

I will second that, 235 on mine as well, never had this problem but I run eagle 2 tyres which are new,,, sounds like you should start with getting the tyres right,,,, strongest tyres on the rear if you only change 2, as this prevents slip

[apples12]

Tyres and alignment...

I had a pair of bridgestones on the rears that had gotten down to well below 3mm and on a particular roundabout on my regular route the back end would slide above certain speeds... After changing the tyres for a brand new set of pirellis, can now take the same roundabout with zero issues!

[scottm72]

yeah once you get tyres you may need your alignment done, you can test this yourself by going on a straight flat road and letting go of the steering wheel and see if your car drifts to the side, try and get a straight flat road as british roads are designed to pull to the left slightly to encourage rain water to go down drains, if it drifts you need alignment or you will get 50% life out of your new tyres and other issues

[Daveh]

Thanks all. I think I'll change the rears for 225 Pirelli's and get the suspension checked to start with.

[scottm72]

Thanks all. I think I'll change the rears for 225 Pirelli's and get the suspension checked to start with.

before you spend any money on the suspension check change the tyres, unless you use quik fit or something as they will look it over for you foc whilst changing the tyres, might just be them, remember keep your new tyres on the rear

[apples12]

unless you use quik fit or something as they will look it over for you foc whilst changing the tyres, might just be them, remember keep your new tyres on the rear

i'd suggest you take your car to a reputable tyre specialist over sh*t-fit... they'll tell you the entire suspension needs changing if they reckon your gullible enough...

[Andy]

unless you use quik fit or something as they will look it over for you foc whilst changing the tyres, might just be them, remember keep your new tyres on the rear

i'd suggest you take your car to a reputable tyre specialist over sh*t-fit... they'll tell you the entire suspension needs changing if they reckon your gullible enough...

and the brake discs