Queries from a test drive

davamb · Postby **davamb** » Sat May 20, 2006 6:52 pm

Hey guys,

Test drove a 1.6L yesterday (dunno the formal model designation). Cosmetically spot on, but looks like it needs a bit of work:

It did a bit of a 'funny' when lifting off the gas suddenly. Hard to explain, but the rear end squirmed or lurched a bit on lift-off. Dodgy rebound on the dampers? Any ideas?

Also the steering was _very_ heavy - is there no PAS on this model? Asked the owner to check the tyre pressures before I drive it again. Liked the handling though - very flat through the corners.

Bit of a low-frequency groan coming from somewhere towards the front under power - gearbox? Wheel bearing? Crank end-bearings?

Windows very slow to wind up and down, can these be rebuilt or do they have to be replaced? Power quite adequate, but nothing to take your breath away. Engine felt strong and pulled well. Can live with that.

Andrew · Postby **Andrew** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:17 pm

Where was it located?

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:18 pm

Was it a sort of twitch at the back when you lifted off? Mine does that, feels similar, though not as exagerated, to what Triumph saloons do.

Even if it doesnt have power steering the steering should be quite light... Mine is anyway

red63sprint · Postby **red63sprint** » Sat May 20, 2006 10:09 pm

If its heavy - its probably no power steer.
Much nicer (i think) than the power steer (which was an option on the early models).
Pumping up or new tyres helps!

Mr_Q · Postby **Mr_Q** » Sun May 21, 2006 12:00 am

davamb wrote:Also the steering was _very_ heavy - is there no PAS on this model? Asked the owner to check the tyre pressures before I drive it again.

No standard power steering on the early models. It may have been tyre pressure, but if you're not used to non-powered steering you may just need to get the car rolling slightly before trying to turn the wheel. Either way, the non-assisted steering shouldn't be too heavy.

davamb wrote:Windows very slow to wind up and down, can these be rebuilt or do they have to be replaced?

That's normal. It can often be fixed cheaply by cleaning the switch contacts (there's at least one thread on this forum about it). Only slightly more expensive (around $80 per side) is a new set of cables. The cables stretch after a number of years and slow it down.

kitkat · Postby **kitkat** » Sun May 21, 2006 2:39 am

do you know if it was an import model? Eunos Roadster or Mazda MX-5 badged?

Im not sure but does anyone know if they run different steering ratios between the Aus no Power steer and Jap power steer equiped?
Maybe it may have been an import with Power steer removed? i noticed on our jap mx-5 when we removed the power steering belt it was very very hard to turn.

About the power windows... if your coming from a newer cars where the power windows go up like lightning then you will think they are very slow. Its just how they are, some can be cleaned up to get that little extra speed back out of it though

davamb · Postby **davamb** » Sun May 21, 2006 11:27 am

Hmm, thanks guys.

Didn't think to check whether it was an import Eunos. Don't think the owner would know. Is there a simple way to check (compliance plate or something or only with a VIN check)? There are also some NZ imports I believe that don't have ADR compliance?

For someone bought up on front-drivers without PAS (try a Beta sometime!) I still thought the steering heavy, sure it would be something you would adjust to pretty easily though, and at least it was direct.

The \"lift-off lurch\" has me a little worried though. Seemed like something a bit screwy in the rear end somewhere. Dunno, might be typical. Need to drive some more examples before I pass judgement. No comparison to a swing-spring Triumph (Spitfire or GT6) though - they were bleedin' diabolical!

Window winders look like something I could tackle myself then, that only leaves the funny groan from up front somewhere. Clutch bearing? Crank float? Wheel bearing? Need to have another drive to see if I can narrow this down a bit.

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Sun May 21, 2006 2:50 pm

No, its not like a Spitfire or GT6 (you have to be cornering when you lift off to discover that 'fun' trait), its like the twitch that the Mk1 & 2 saloons have when you come off the throttle where it feels like something gets twisted up then untwists itself as you lift off.

My NA8 does it a bit sometimes, not very much but I can just feel it sometimes