New boxter, last owner chopped springs- cause fishtail or tail wag at high speeds??

[Kboggs]

Just got my first boxster yesterday. 99 2.5 tip with 87k.

It has been lowered, ride was not firm as with most that are. Coming home at 50-60 mph plus the rear end feels at times like it is skating or on ice is the best way to describe. I already found a used set of oem springs to put back on it as i know that chopping springs is no good? Me and a nearby shop looker underneath and all control arms, bushings, and everything visible looks good? Does this symptom sound like something caused by chopping springs? It has to be lowered close to 2 inches, maybe more? Rides soft with no noises???? Tires are brand new also.

[Starter986]

I don't have the answer, but I have some advice: If you stick with those wheels be sure to get some spacers. Front and rear.

[edc]

Chopping the springs has probably knackered the dampers.

[The Radium King]

lowering (esp 2") without adjustable rear toe control arms will result in out of spec alignment (toe) and the behaviour you describe.

[Kboggs]

Good call on the wheel spacers. Will be top of my to do list!

[78F350]

Those rear wheels just look wrong. Way too far inside the fender for stock. I'm guessing they are front wheels, put on the back. Spacers are good, but verify wheel size and fitment.

[Kboggs]

Well there is something I havent learned, are the front and rear wheels actually different sizes??

[78F350]

Originally Posted by Kboggs

Well there is something I havent learned, are the front and rear wheels actually different sizes??

Get confirmation on the exact size, but I think the stock 17" wheels are 7" wide in front with the rears 8.5".

Here's a site I go to for some wheel info, but it's incomplete and its too dark and cold outside for me to go verify mine.

944racing

[Kboggs]

Yep, confirmed it! Will be sure to check!!

[78F350]

Here's one of mine on M030 (slightly lowered suspension) with stock 17s in a 'mirrored' perspective. See the difference in back? that's more than I'd expect from just cut springs.

[Racer Boy]

My guess is that who ever lowered it didn't use adjustable rear control arms (as The Radium King mentioned), and now you have a lot of toe-out, and that can cause scary wandering. They probably didn't do any kind of alignment at all, so all the camber and toe settings are way out of range.

I hope you didn't pay much for that particular Boxster! You have some work to do to get it driving correctly, and to get the correct rear wheels.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by 78F350

...I think the stock 17" wheels are 7" wide in front with the rears 8.5".

This is the correct size wheels.

Fit the proper springs and correct rear wheels/tires and then see how it handles. Should be about 1000% better.

Where did you buy this car and how much did you pay?

[The Radium King]

probably 996 wheels w 66et rears.

[Kboggs]

I got it from a tiny lot in chesnee SC for $6500 out the door. Looked all over the southeast and was the best for the money I found. He was asking $8995. He lost money and just wanted to clear room. He showed me his reciept that he paid $6k at the dealer auction and put a new convertible motor, tires, and battery. First time I ever left a dealer and didnt feel violated!

[Kboggs]

I am betting the wheels were reversed when putting on tires.

[Chi-Town]

If one rear tire is worn more than the other it will cause this. My car had the same issue.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by Kboggs

It has been lowered, ride was not firm as with most that are.
It has to be lowered close to 2 inches, maybe more? Rides soft with no noises????

How do you know the springs were chopped? You've definitely got something funky going on, but those two statements above don't sound like chopped springs. You chop 2" out of a spring and that spring rate will be out the roof; you'll be bouncing your kidneys around like crazy.
You sure they didn't use a lowering spring? A lowering spring, poorly installed without fixing the geometry will, as others have mentioned, give you substantial toe-out,w which will give the vague feeling in the rear, as you describe.

You've definitely got something wonky going on, as evidenced by the wheels, as well.



Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Kboggs]

No way to know for sure until I get them out of there. But had a shop look and did not see any evidence of any other way other than springs chopped. Its too low and plan on installing factory springs back. I would have thought if they used lowering springs would be stiffer ride also? Had a car before lowered on springs, and the ride doesnt feel like it? I plan on checking wheel sizes tomorrow, betting some front and rears may be reversed?? Will be sure to update!

[thstone]

Its hard to tell, but I don't think that rear tires are on the front. If that was the case, the fronts would stick out more.

This is what 255/40/17 tires on an 8.5" wheel look like on the front (and same size on rear)...

[Kboggs]

Well, i have 3 7 inch wheels and one 8.5! Wth!! Well time to pick up a new wheel, and at least can sell the other. The left rear did have a 7” wheel on it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk