Handling on uneven roads (self steering)

[Howard]

Z3 tram lining seems to a common concern with some Z3. My Z3 was terrible when I got it. I changed the rear front suspension bushes 1st(minor improvement) tried different tyre pressures(no different), fitted new wheels 16inch(original size) & tyres..problem 85% gone, have now also replaced the lower arms & top strut mountings as they were still original(no effect) ...So conclusion yes these car do suffer with tram lining but the driving experience
can be vastly improved by going back to original sized wheels & tyres as specified by the Manufacture.
I fully understand why folk put larger wheels/tyres on as they look awesome with the whole wheel arch filled, we all have to make compromises.

Interestingly haven driven my Z3 yesterday am and then drove my 61 year old MGA In the afternoon, the MGA has better manners over the same rough road.
Both brilliant cars to drive but in a very different way..
Howard

 

[Bumpa]

can be vastly improved by going back to original sized wheels & tyres as specified by the Manufacture.

On my 2.2 Sport, the 17" wheels are standard, as fitted by the manufacturer. I intend to change the control arm rear bushes to poly bushes (when I get a moment), but I am most suspicious of the unmatched front tyres, one Bridgestone, one Firestone.

Your comments about the MGA are interesting. At the moment my 48 year old MGB GTV8 is a MUCH nicer car to drive than the Z3, with much better road manners, which is disappointing to say the least.

 

[Momo77]

On my 2.2 Sport, the 17" wheels are standard, as fitted by the manufacturer. I intend to change the control arm rear bushes to poly bushes (when I get a moment), but I am most suspicious of the unmatched front tyres, one Bridgestone, one Firestone.

Your comments about the MGA are interesting. At the moment my 48 year old MGB GTV8 is a MUCH nicer car to drive than the Z3, with much better road manners, which is disappointing to say the least.

Let me know what's the outcome when you change to poly or when you change tyres... I'm going to change the rear springs and shocks and mounts all together as my shocks are old and not in great condition. I'll post here once I have done all that to update everyone who is interested.

 

[Momo77]

On my 2.2 Sport, the 17" wheels are standard, as fitted by the manufacturer. I intend to change the control arm rear bushes to poly bushes (when I get a moment), but I am most suspicious of the unmatched front tyres, one Bridgestone, one Firestone.

Your comments about the MGA are interesting. At the moment my 48 year old MGB GTV8 is a MUCH nicer car to drive than the Z3, with much better road manners, which is disappointing to say the least.

Yes I have 17" as standard. As it's sport model

 

[Bumpa]

Let me know what's the outcome when you change to poly or when you change tyres... I'm going to change the rear springs and shocks and mounts all together as my shocks are old and not in great condition. I'll post here once I have done all that to update everyone who is interested.

Well, I've changed the rear control arm bushes on the front suspension for poly ones. The job wasn't too hard following Mike Fishwick's article and I got it done in a day. Just took the car out in the sunshine, hood down to try it at town and motorway speeds. All I can say is that the poly bushes have transformed the car. It is now like a sports car should be, and goes where I want it to go with none of the fight-back I had from the steering wheel before. Also at 70 - 80 mph (gosh, the speedo must over-read ) the tremor I had through the steering wheel has disappeared.

The car still has mis-matched front tyres, but from this experience that doesn't seem to be an issue, at least not with my car. Here's the before and after shots.

Old knackered bush.

Smart new poly bush.

 

[Howard]

Well worth doing. Enjoy
H

 

[Bumpa]

Looking at my "before" photo, It's no wonder that bush couldn't control the suspension arm. I could move the arm side to side with a good push from my hand. Goodness knows what was happening while driving. I wonder why they used a design with big spaces at the side? My first impression is that the poly bushes haven't increased the harshness of the ride. With the Sport 17" wheels and tyres the ride is pretty firm anyway.

 

[Sean d]

Looking at my "before" photo, It's no wonder that bush couldn't control the suspension arm. I could move the arm side to side with a good push from my hand. Goodness knows what was happening while driving. I wonder why they used a design with big spaces at the side? My first impression is that the poly bushes haven't increased the harshness of the ride. With the Sport 17" wheels and tyres the ride is pretty firm anyway.

I have ordered the M style lolly pops as they are solid with no gaps in the rubber, I think a lot of the tram lining issues with our Zeds is that so much of the running gear is worn out, I have just replaced drop links, track rod ends and shocks all round and the car now drives a treat and is much tighter all round, I am doing the wishbones as soon as I get the lolly pops.

 

[mwpe]

[, I am doing the wishbones as soon as I get the lolly pops.[/QUOTE]

You don't need to replace the whole wishbone, you can replace both bearings for a fraction o the cost.

 

[Sean d]

[, I am doing the wishbones as soon as I get the lolly pops.

You don't need to replace the whole wishbone, you can replace both bearings for a fraction o the cost.[/QUOTE]

I have nice new shiny ones now Mike, I am aware you can press new ball joints in but took the easy option.

 

[mwpe]

You don't need to replace the whole wishbone, you can replace both bearings for a fraction o the cost.

I have nice new shiny ones now Mike, I am aware you can press new ball joints in but took the easy option.[/QUOTE]

That is probably easier.

 

[Howard]

All of the Z3's are now 15 years old at least and I suspect many of the suspension parts are starting to show wear & tear.
Iv gradually replaced most of the front suspension parts (apart from the struts,no leaks or wear) and I went down the route of replacing the complete arms, not exspensive + no access to a press. Do most folk start with replacing the front suspension parts 1st?
The rear suspension will be this winters project. Will probably have to take the rear suspension frame to a local garage to press in the new bushes.
H