Bad Handling, could it be tyres?

[Rachel]

Hello all, ,
Please can I ask if anyone has advice for me on the handling of my Terrano 2.7TD Sport 2001. I have only recently purchased it and I am struggling with a few problems, hence why I thought I would take advantage of the knowledge out there with you guys.

The handling is not as I expected, I actually feel very nervous driving it in poor conditions. There is a marked improvement when the road is dry and flat, but on wet / snowy conditions the bumpy back road proves quite a problem. Despite taking it easy the truck feels like it is going to skid and every now and again it skips out to the left for no reason (you can feel it pull). I have had it checked and was told that there is nothing obvious wrong, a bit of play in the steering box but nothing to be worried about. I am begining to think that it could be the tyres, any thoughts?? The fronts are a bit worn, especially on the outside edge, they are Goodyear. The backs look new, but they are a cheap make. I cannot afford to replace all four at once, would it be worth changing the fronts first to see if it makes a difference? Any makes of tyres that are recommended?

That's the first on the list, then I need to tackle the alarm and the pixilated dashboard problems.

I so want to bond with my new truck as it has taken me several years to save up to buy it, but I need help to get me on the right track.

Thanks, Rachel

 

[jims-terrano]

Hi Rachel and welcome aboard and don't worry you'll love the truck.

First of all it isn't a hatchback, so you must expect it to feel different but I'm sure your aware of that.

What's you tyres like? they may be more off road type tyres such as "AT" or "MT", it should say this on the side walls.

Are you using 4wd? you should only use 4wd on soft or slippery surfaces. If used on harder surfaces you can get transmission wind up which can cause damage or a skipping type effect as the tension is released.

Also a must is to get your rear diff oil changed, ensure the garage or you use genuine LSD oil. This is Limited Slip Diff oil, some garages may use ordinary gear oil and sometimes stick an additive in which is wrong. When the oil is incorrect or old this cuases the rear end to slip out very easily. Get this done ASAP as I'm pretty sure you'll notice a huge difference.

Jim T

PS look out for Willow on here or send her a PM as she lives down your way and will be more than happy to chat about the motors.

PPS Look out for previous threads regading your readout problems.

 

[clivvy]

Hi Rachel!
I'm with Jim, get that LSD checked. Also, and really sorry if this sounds funny, have you driven a 4x4 before? I only ask because when I got my first 4x4 2 year ago, a Fourtrak, I had the same experiences as you. There was nothing wrong with the truck apart from age and poor tyres, but I percervered and found I can trust how these 4x4's drive, which is totally different to cars. Other than that, tyres will make a huge difference, but ideally change all four. I did mine very cheap, somethinglike £30 per tyre, fitted and balanced for a tenner. They are cheap kingpings, 50/50 tyres, and despite being cheap, they are superb and a copy of I think colway tyres. On the road it feels solid, and sticky, in this snow, again very sticky when in 4wd, but of course poor if I try to use 2wd in the snow...

 

[zippy656]

if you can get hole od willow, shell tell you in "woman" speek what its like.

shes also in your area i think.. so might be able to meet her and show her what yuou mean. if nothing else shell tell you who to talk to on here.. for the right info your after..


Zippy

 

[extreme-4x4]

ok it sounds as though your using 4wd . now unless your going into wet field like conditions you wont need 4wd because you have a limited slip dif on the rear. this means you will have both rear wheels driving all the time . unlike a landrover that only has one wheel at a time .

another thing that jumps out at me , is your tyres . now on a 4wd it is vital all 4 wheels / tyres are the same - the reason for this is tyres vary in size from brand to brand. irrespective of what they say on the side walls. sizes could match but the actual sizes could vary greatly . this will give you wind up and cause the wheels to skip about.

you need to check the rear diff has new limited slip dif oil in it . nothing else will do . therefore buy it yourself and put it in . 3litres is all you need . make sure you can undo the filler plug before removing the drain plug fully

hope this helps

 

[Rachel]

Thanks very much for all your advice, I will get on to that straight away. I have driven a 4x4 before, I had a Fourtrak and a SWB older Terrano but this one feels different and will take some getting used to. I need to feel confident driving it as I will be using it to tow my horse. Thanks again.

 

[vatco]

Not to repeat what has already been said as it is all good

But underline the tyres

All 4 wheels really need good and matching tyres on a 4x4

It also has to be said that tyre choice is very important Brand as well as type makes a difference.

I don't drive a Terrano - Mines a Patrol but the Terrano guys will advise on best

The All Teraine tyres on my Troll are useless on wet tarmac and I have to be really careful. Give em snow slush mud or a dry road and they are fine. I'd change them but theres still plenty tread and I'm 2 much of a skinflint. Point is different brands will behave different on different vehicles

Get your tryes and diffs sorted and it's a whole different ball game

Have fun

 

[sidsid06]

Thanks very much for all your advice, I will get on to that straight away. I have driven a 4x4 before, I had a Fourtrak and a SWB older Terrano but this one feels different and will take some getting used to. I need to feel confident driving it as I will be using it to tow my horse. Thanks again.

hi rachel well come to this great site sure your find lots of help here:clap i would do as all the other chaps have said on here! also have you checked the tyre pressures? if too low the truck could tend to follow tje humps and bums in the road!! horse box? you have a big horse hunter ect? how many hands? could not afford a horse so i have a pet donkey

 

[Timbo_1975]

Hello all, ,
Please can I ask if anyone has advice for me on the handling of my Terrano 2.7TD Sport 2001. I have only recently purchased it and I am struggling with a few problems, hence why I thought I would take advantage of the knowledge out there with you guys.

The handling is not as I expected, I actually feel very nervous driving it in poor conditions. There is a marked improvement when the road is dry and flat, but on wet / snowy conditions the bumpy back road proves quite a problem. Despite taking it easy the truck feels like it is going to skid and every now and again it skips out to the left for no reason (you can feel it pull). Thanks, Rachel

In this order:

Tyre pressures all around, Tracking on the front, front ride height, shocks and bushes on the front, LSD oil in the back axle.

Get them all checked by someone who is familliar with the Terrano.

 

[Rachel]

I have checked the tyre pressures online (forgotten which site) and they were the correct pressures, however this was different to what it said inside the door which is 26 psi. That seemed low, also what is stated in the door is the same on front and back, is that right?

I have a 15.1hh Irish Cob that I plan to take to local dressage events this year. I work at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, so plenty of long eared friends there (donkeys that is and not staff!)

I am really pleased with the advice and I now have a game plan to work with to getting things sorted.

Rachel

 

[sidsid06]

I have checked the tyre pressures online (forgotten which site) and they were the correct pressures, however this was different to what it said inside the door which is 26 psi. That seemed low, also what is stated in the door is the same on front and back, is that right?

I have a 15.1hh Irish Cob that I plan to take to local dressage events this year. I work at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, so plenty of long eared friends there (donkeys that is and not staff!)

I am really pleased with the advice and I now have a game plan to work with to getting things sorted.

Rachel

i would put more in the back of your truck as your be pulling a horse box!! and may be a couple more psi in the front lovely horse should do well at dressage how old is your horse? my donkey is 24 and still as stubbern as when i had him 10 years ago!!!

 

[DEE]

Welcome rachel

Check them there shocks Had a friend who had gas shocks on his truck and he had bad handleing. It was the shocks Only 2 years old but begggggggerrrrrrrd Fitted a new standard set it was like a new truck. Stuck to the road

 

[lacroupade]

I have checked the tyre pressures online (forgotten which site) and they were the correct pressures, however this was different to what it said inside the door which is 26 psi. That seemed low, also what is stated in the door is the same on front and back, is that right?

I have a 15.1hh Irish Cob that I plan to take to local dressage events this year. I work at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, so plenty of long eared friends there (donkeys that is and not staff!)

I am really pleased with the advice and I now have a game plan to work with to getting things sorted.

Rachel

The pressures on the door sticker are the correct ones Rachel - they might seem low but they aren't.

This kind of behaviour is not characteristic of a Terrano in good working nick, I throw mine around like a hatchback and it never lets me down.

I'd definitely get the LSD oil changed (and only use the correct LSD oil as mentioned - just shut if you need specifics but Comma do a good one).

What make of tyres have you got fitted Rachel - and are they exactly the same size front and back?

Re the 4WD, unlike your older Terrano, this truck will have fixed hubs, that means you can engage 4WD at any speed and you don't reverse to disengage it, like your old SWB.

And having driven a Terrano before, you'll be familiar with transmission windup I assume - its most obvious when driving backwards or forwards on full lock, when your wheels really will start to 'skip as they try to unload the tension. If you are getting that in 2WD, with your left hand stick right forward, it means that 4WD is not disengaging.

Good luck and let us know how you get on....

 

[mav]

only 16 to go Zippy656,

6000 posts, lol

 

[Rachel]

Thanks again everyone, even though I haven't been able to do anything yet I already feel so much better and calmer about things. Without your help I was thinking of selling on and starting again, but like most people I live on a shoestring and couldn't afford the financial loss. I have written everything down so that I can go armed with the information.

The downside is that as you were also so helpful, when I get time I will type up my next problem / thread!!

Keep up the good work with helping people
Rachel x

 

[zippy656]

you mean theres more to come??

sounds like another Willow ........



10 now Mav...

is there a prize Bat..

for beeing a sad old "BEEP" and getting to 6000 posts??

 

[danielj]

Rachel, all good advice above I think. Just an observation on my part. I have a 2.7 TDI, 00 plate. I find it very comfortable and smooth on the road. However, when compared with another 4x4 truck that I drive, the T2 steering feels very light on the road. There is nothing wrong with it that I can tell but for a heavy truck it can be surprising how lightly it handles compared to other vehicles.

 

[lacroupade]

Rachel, all good advice above I think. Just an observation on my part. I have a 2.7 TDI, 00 plate. I find it very comfortable and smooth on the road. However, when compared with another 4x4 truck that I drive, the T2 steering feels very light on the road. There is nothing wrong with it that I can tell but for a heavy truck it can be surprising how lightly it handles compared to other vehicles.

Indeed; the car-like handling compared to other 4x4s is marked. I do stuff to my truck that would have a Disco in the ditch :augie

 

[Liam]

.The pressures on the door sticker are the correct ones Rachel - they might seem low but they aren't..

26 psi? I have 40 in mine,on 235/70/15's. Should I deflate a little,then?

 

[danielj]

26 psi? I have 40 in mine,on 235/70/15's. Should I deflate a little,then?

Have about 36psi in mine I think. I thought the sticker on the door was for the original stock tyres or something because the markings on the tyres I have on say 36psi. 26psi sounded very low.