My 01 Sport is too Squirrely Please Help

[TEdwards]

Hey guys, nice board you have here.

I have a 2001 Sport with the 3.73 Limited Slip axle, and if it is raining, I can barely go around corners without spinning out of control. What, if anything can I do to remedy this? I don't tow, so can I swap the Diff out for an open unit? Or has there been another solution?

Thanks for the help!

Tom

 

[JDraper]

You can swap out the l/s rear for an open rear, but you will need to change the carrier. I haven't dug into a Ford traction lok rear yet, but you might be able to get away with just removing the clutch packs inside.

 

[jasonb]

how fast are you rounding corners? maybe you just need new tires. how old are the ones on there?

also.. it won't help in rain i wouldn' think, but a new sway bar would help the handling. there is a group buy in the group purchases right now.

i wouldn't think the LS is main cause of this though.

 

[Black Magic]

Like Jeff asked above Tires? Also Jason is correct about the Swaybars. The swaybar from Explorer Express will help your truck everyday and makes a world of difference!

Check out my home page for more information on O1+ Sports.

 

[TEdwards]

I have the original General Ameri*550's with 36k miles on them. I rotate them regularly, and they have nice tread depth, and are not wearing unevenly.

I am not going fast at all, I can be stopped at a red light behind traffic, and simply accelerate with them around a corner, and if I am not careful, I will slide out (wet road only).

I am planning on lowering it, and installing different tires and wheels, so maybe that will help. I might try better sway bars too, that is a good idea.


Matt I E-mailed you yesterday about your site, that is a great looking truck.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Tom

 

[SteveVB]

driving habits, tires

You need to match the throttle to the traction available. Less if the traction is less. Limited slips are more prone to side slip when both tires lose traction. If you are spining your tires away from a stop sign while turning you are using too much pedal. Both of your rear tires are spinning- keep them from spinning- control the throttle better.
AND/OR the tires you are running dont have good wet traction. Tires inflated correcty? Not over inflated are they?
It could be that the clutch packs are tight so they dont unlock like they should, you could take it to a dealer to have them check the break away torque. You can do it with a torque wrench.

I would bet though that its just a torquey engine- relativly low gears, and driving habits.

Good Luck.

 

[SiLenZe]

mine will do that also even with toyo proxys...but i just switch it into 4x4.

 

[TEdwards]

SiLenZe, your truck looks great as well. I really can't wait to get started on mine now.

-Tom

 

[JOHN V.]

I think tires would be the first place to start for improved wet weather traction. The original tires are only adequate for your vehicle. There are a lot better choices available. For improved cornering definitely goe with our X-Spec rear sway bar upgrade. The front is ok as is. But our rear sway bar will improve handling and decrease body roll. There is currently a group buy going on for the ZD5622 Sway Bar for $159.95. See the group buy section for details. Your handling will only improve when you lower it and replace the shocks. Your Sport has a lot of potential.

 

[IAmTodd]

I'd suggest backing off the gas if you're fishtailing. Tires would be the next place to look. I'm runng BFG A/Ts and I can barely do it when wet. I have same axle ratio and L/S. Only I have the OHV. But still it can't be anyworse.

 

[Texan01]

Back of the gas a little when it's wet, as my '95 OHV with 3.73 LS and Goodyear Wrangler RT/S's will spin the tires if I stand on the gas from a stop, and it'll step out sideways of you aren't careful. I've lowered my X 1" and that has improved the handling, but #1 solution is to slow down a bit on wet streets.

The torque that is available at low engine speed is what'll do you in.

I had a '76 Chevy Malibu, 305ci V-8 (slightly modified from stock) and a 3.08 open rear axle and it'd spin the right rear EVERY time when the street was wet, I'd wind up letting it idle across the intersection and then give it some gas.

 

[ERIK2173]

When I had General tires on my 01 sport I had the same problem. Sometimes it seemed like it didn't matter how careful I was with the throttle. I switched to Michellins and haven't had a bit of trouble since then.

 

[Soundguy01tx]

Interesting Ive never had that problem... Maybe I just drive slower or have better tires.. .OH, or it could be that I live in Houston where IT DOESNT EVER RAIN!!! AGHHH!!! Please please rian this week!
--Bryan

 

[Byrd91]

I wish I had a problem spinning the tires. Even with 4.56s and 33s to spin them I basically have to be tipping over to unload the suspension. Man I want a new engine.

 

[CodePoet]

I'm kinda thinking along the same lines as Erik. I'm sure that the EE swaybars are great but I think it might have something to do with the tire compount. My little S-10 had uniroyal tires on it when I got it, they were extremely long wearing but they would break loose extrememly easliy , especially in wet weather, and squeel everytime I went around a corner (even very slowly). I switched to Mastercraft Avengers and never had a problem. My theory was that the Uniroyals had a harder compound so they would last long but, but traction was effected. The mastercraft had a softer compound, wouldn't last quite as long but would stick to the road better. My idea was based on my R/C cars, my oval track car has a hard tire and I can't control it but a softer tire would provide more traction. I'm probably wrong but that's my opinon.

Later
CP

 

[Black Magic]

Oh, another thing...

My O1 Sport was all over the road. I used to slide out the side all the time. Couldn't get it to hook up ever! Then I got the Saleen wing, that really helped. And now with the ExplorerExpress.com Airdam along with the Saleen Wing. I have about the same down force as an F-1 Race Car! I think I could stick to the roof of a tunnel as long as I was up to speed!
.
..
...
..
.

J/K, Too Much Coffie is my excuse!

 

[TEdwards]

Well, I think once I get Bigger and Wider wheels with lower profile rubber, and do some suspension work, I will be a lot better off.

Thanks again for all your help on this one Guys!

Tom

 

[section525]

I miss the days of having a 2wd v8 with 235 firestones. I could light them up for days across intersections in the rain.

I need a 2wd option again.

 

[Black Magic]

No remarks on my stupid bable? LOL You guys are getting too good for your own good!

 

[section525]

Originally posted by Black Magic
No remarks on my stupid bable? LOL You guys are getting too good for your own good!

I thought the F-1 thing was a little overboard. But I can see the rest. I mean, sure the Saleen wing is going to help traction. Why else would Saleen make it?!

That airdam and wing will change a brick into a bullet.