Rear breaks loose..

[AxtellZ]

Hi Everyone,

Well, as winter approaches in NY, I am getting the most out of my Z (260) before it goes into hibernation.

I have noticed this week, that i am losing traction & sliding the rear around corners more than usual- specifically, i go around a 90 degree corner near my house- in 2nd gear at about 30mph (3000rpm). I accelerate through the bend, and the tires really begin to squeal the back starts to come around if i keep the pedal down. I also noticed that on the offramp from the expressway- about a 210 degree loop- the same happens in 3rd at 55-60mph (but that road surface just changed from blacktop to concrete).

The tires are Firestone F570's 195/70/14 the PO mounted and have only about 4000 miles on them. Maybe i should move to 205 or 215's?? (more rubber on the road) Or change to a "stickier" street tire?

It's not like i just dropped in a V8, i did pull the smog pump & remove the emmisions and manifold coolant lines last week & went to the early balance tube, but i can't believe that would lose enough weight or gain HP to cause these symptoms!

Maybe i'm just driving like an idiot:cross-eye !

Well, thanks for any input, and cross your fingers that it doesn't snow in NY this year....

Jeremiah

[2ManyZs]

About your driving.....:devious:

Just kidding. How much air pressure are you running in the rear? Try dropping a couple pounds out and then see what happens. You might just be running too high a pressure and the tires are loosing their grip because of it.

Of course a wee bit wider tire won't hurt anything. Especially when you are playing "road racer" on the on-ramps...

Seriously though, try playing with your pressures a little. It might make a big difference.

I'd go with about 32 to 34 so if you are running any more than that it might be half the problem...

[AxtellZ]

Well, gotta be honest ....the tires "look" okay, but i couldn't begin to tell you the actual pressure:stupid:

I also wondered if i may have lost some swaybar mount or somesuch- heard some of us have torn those loose when driving these cars the way they like it:classic:

My 73 had 205/60's (or was it 215/60?) That would squeal if you really really tried, but nothing like this..

Oh well- nothing like an excuse to go putter / test drive over and over. It'll beat stripping kitchen cabinets this weekend. Would one of you talk to my wife about this...?

JA