R5_GTT_Steve

iTrader: (7)

First of ive done a search on these forums and not found an answer.

My problem is that if im going round a roundabout then take an exit at 30mph i loose the backend only slightly. The first time it happend i had`nt had the car long and put it down to me not having a 4-wheel drive car before.Tonight its happend again,i set off from a roundabout junction driving normally and again the backend twitched,so at the next roundabout i tryed to do it on purpose,as i exited the roundabout i put my foot down slightly and indeed the backend went.I have got 4x new tyres on the car which are Falcon Zeix ZE512 ,205x40x17 ( I dont know what these are like on Subaru`s plz advise) and all the suspention is standard apart from a front strut brace.

Steve

Jamesemt

Sounds like really ****e tires to me, mate. Have you checked the pressures? Is this on a Scoob?

R5_GTT_Steve

iTrader: (7)

Yes ive got a MY99 wagon , and the psi is 28 all round

Jamesemt

Also depends how much power you are running - if you are gunning it coming off the roundabout with a lot of power...

Isn't there a big Scooby scene in Sheffield? My advice would be to take someone out in it...although it does sound like the tyres.

My fronts have a 1cm smooth shoulder and feel so much different - understeer like mad in the wet, and generally not pleasant...Never underestimate tyres - they are your only contact with the road...

AvalancheS8

It'll be the tyres, I almost guarantee it.

dazc

Falken ZE512


Pressures a bit low, try 33f and 31r. Still wont help with jelly tyres though.
Daz

highlander

What model Impreza is it? Is it a Type R or Type RA?

I have 2 Impreza's one is a STi 5 Type R and the other is a JDM WRX.

I have had the ZE512 tyres on the WRX and they gave reasonably good grip in the wet, it doesn't display the characteristics you mention in your post.

The Type R on the other hand with the DCCD gearbox allowing more power to be transmitted through the rear wheels will behave exactly as you describe coming off a wet roundabout under power.

If its not a Type R or Type RA and hasn't been fitted with a different diff it would be worthwhile getting a full 4 wheel geometry alignment done. If the tyres were old i would suspect them but having used these tyres I know they grip quite well in the wet.

Have you tested to see if it still lets go when cornering the other way?

Ken

StickyMicky

them tyres are not to grippy in the wet

there average in the dry and slippy in the wet, good for drifting tho
there also pretty cheap........

i ran them on my last wheels and liked the slidey behaviour, while it lasted lol

R5_GTT_Steve

iTrader: (7)

Its just a Turbo 2000 wagon and it does it when going round a left or right hand corner,i will have the 4 wheel geometry alignment done and if that doesnt sort it i'll put it down to the tyres

StickyMicky

it is the tyres

alignment cant hurt tho

andy97

iTrader: (1)

You want Goodyear F1 GDS3, best all round tyre

dazc

Anyone tried Falken ZE512 tires?

Yep, they're still sh1te.
Daz

highlander

Assuming the suspension is all in order the tyre pressures can have quite a marked effect. I used to use higher tyre pressures at the rear to try and encourage the ZE512's I had to break loose (Just to suit the way I like the car to handle).

I have found that on the same car with the same suspension setup I use different tyre pressures depending on what tyre is fitted.

I also just realised that this is a different tyre to the ones I had on my WRX - I had the original ZE512 not the Ziex and I liked the handling characteristics of that tyre which was great for "enthusiastic" driving as it did not break away suddenly but was quite progressive in its nature.

Reading reviews of this tyre it appears that they may have a soft sidewall although many people say the grip is quite good in the wet.
http://www.1010tires.com/Falken_Ziex_ZE-512_tires.html

Personally I would be happier with a tyre that has a stiff sidewall as it will feel more precise on the road. Which is one reason I moved away from the old ZE512 - it became quite soft on the tyrewall after a several thousand miles.

See if you can arrange to try out another set of wheels n tyres on your car and assess if you prefer them. Tyres and handling are very personal things and what one person may think is great another will absolutely detest. Your driving style will also affect which tyre suits you best. To a large extent what I think and what anyone else thinks will be irrelevant to you - you need to find a setup of tyres and suspension that suits you.

Scooby Roo

Try changing the pressures 28 is too low IMHO.

I run with Goodyear F1's 36 front 33 rear. Not that good to have the same all round either as it's not suited to the dynamics.

Have heard that Falcon's are a bit wild for wet driving, take it easy....

If your thinking of changing then try Skudos [Stunnas].........try 'em in the wet then tell me what there like I want a set but have no idea about wet handling [though had them on my mates Caterham last night at Brands....dry....nice and sticky when warm, not as nice as the R32's though].


Roo

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Ken : wagon = WAGON. Five door jobbie.
Try tyre pressures around 33 front and 31 rear. Remember garage guages are not always accurate. Use your own from Halfords. Good, reliable, cost effective guage.
Find someone competant to do your geometry locally. No need to spend silly money or travel too far.
The following settings work well for me, on a WRX Wagon.
Front toe in. 1.5-2mm each side. Camber -1deg 30mins each side.
Rear toe in. .75-1mm each side. Camber -1deg 30 mins each side.
On a standard car you may not achieve these camber figures so aim for maximum equal negative at the front and ditto at the rear. Typically 1 deg to 1 deg15mins.

C 8HEP

depending on ur steering technique and speed. dont expect too much in the wet. my RA is crap in the wet! also with the power it is like an on off switch.

rigga

iTrader: (4)

i found myself drifting across the road on opposite lock yesterday after pulling out of a junction and giving it a bit to clear traffic..... a bit suprised to say the least,fun at the time but can see where this type of poor traction in the wet could get me into some serious trouble,tyres are kuhmo and nearly new,on the wheels already when i purchased them second hand,had these before on a mgzr and knew they were ok in the dry but slightly suspect in the wet,first time with a 4 wheel drive car and obviously easily overpowered...jap spec wrx wagon by the way

would have woke the white van man behind me anyways at least

T.Rev

I agree with earlier posts..tyre choice and inflation is important. I run GS1D3s on my 99 STI wagon at 36 front and 32 rear with whiteline rear swaybar and strutbrace and it sticks like glue on the road and track...powering out of corners is what the rex was designed for!

stabb

im running p zero's all round at 30's and i really have to chuck it to make her step out which only sometimes happen's at asda on a wet evening tut tut.

Sideways, the way forward

My scoob is a uk non-dccd 2 door p1 and i have the same issues... i am not bothered though, i find it quite good fun actually. Any blip of power through a tight roundabout in the wet results in sideways action. The tyres are toyo proxes t1R's (supposed to be good in the wet) however unsure of the pressures. I am not entirely sure of this but it might be to do with AWD cars being prodominantly rear wheel drive. i know for certain that the escort cosworth for example is more RWD than FWD. With a lot of power on tap this will make the car act more like a RWD car in the wet...hence sideways under throttle.

leonpoole

My car is sometimes naughty in the wet. If i put my foot down on a bend all wheels start spinning and it slides a bit. Do all scoobs do this? In the dry its a different matter. Could i have **** tyres too (toyo proxes)?

Buzz Blaber

i had a long chat at a show the other week with a rep from toyo

toyo recomendation on tyre pres are 36 front 32 rear on 17 & 18in rims

as for grip in the wet any tyre that has done several 1000 miles loses grip his words were,

in the wet
new tyres 100% grip
few 1000 miles 95% grip
with only 1 to 2mm above legal limit 50 to 60% grip

his words were all tyres that thay compare show dramatic drop when half way through there life

just saying what was said to me hope this helps

scoobfan

I also have a WRX Wagon and they can be tail happy in the wet.
My car runs on Toyo T1-R's so no ****e tyres.

The wagons have a higher/heavier back end and it's also lacks a rear
bulk head which loses it points in the stifness dept.

I'm looking at a Whiteline ARB, solid droplinks and poly bushes to tighten it up.

Also considering a front and rear strut brace.

Rob

theotherphil

I am running Toyo T1-R's on my Classic Saloon. It's pretty easy to get the back to step out in the wet just as the turbo kicks in. I can do it in a straight line but it's easier on a bend. Running KYB Gas shocks, Eibach springs, whiteline adjustable rear sway bar with solid droplinks and a strut brace....pretty stiff tbh. I am running approx 280bhp.

Hakon

Don't rule out road surface, some of the older surfaces around mine are like pebbles pushed into tarmac and with time they get polished and very very slippy in the wet, damp and are like ice when its greasy !

Napedog

there crap i got em on mine and the **** wet or dry.U would be better using RE-MOLDS

gotmashed

ive got an ra and it does just what you say now im used to it im happy but the first time i shat my pants you say your is a wagon is it an (sa) i think there called ? the lightweight wagon like the ra ?

Foot_Tapper

Used to happen to me, back would step out occasionally on a roundabout.
MY97 JDM rex
First time scared meself a bit, but got used to the "break" point on wet surfaces, then if u fancied fun just gave it a tad more or back off for a steadier course.

As said tyre make arguably most important, but so is having correct pressure in them for the occasion. Wrong pressure, might as well use slicks in the wet (well almost).
JDM classic will have a stiffer suspension than uk 2000 (well saloon wise deffo)

I found 32 front 30 rear suited to my driving style, from what I have seen posted, most seem around the same give or take.
28 deffo too low, it is possible ( tho not sure) with tyres with that pressure, you're upsetting the balance, maybe shift the weight too much forward, back end becoming light, hence drifting out.
well thats my theory ( feckin hell , did i just say all that)

I think you will notice a marked improvement with 32-30 or 34-32.
Try a setting or two for yourself, i'll bet you'll think your driving a different car.

Asymmetry

As mentioned before tyres

I run Kuhmo Ku-15 on my 03wagon, great water speaders, large water channels in the tread. its like driving a heavy 4x4 in the wet, still get road noise and can feel the road in standing water on highway speeds. Great all round tyre IMO, except they are noisy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...1/WRX/tyre.jpg

MY99SW

I have a standard (power wise) MY99 UK Wagon fitted with 17" ST2's and 205/45 P-Zeros... when I bought it 3 years ago the traction in the wet was shocking.... both front and rear!... I've since fitted solid (alloy) rear droplinks and had the geometry set up properly, and now it's fantastic... even when the P-Zeros get down to 3mm of tread left on them...

P-Zero's at 34 front, 33 rear BTW...

AC

PS does anyone know where to buy a genuine STi6 front lip, now I know they are black ABS plastic (like sills and rear corners) underneath the colour coding? Cheers...