Skipping/wheel hop when turning left? - LotusTalk

dos531 · 09-11-2009, 01:12 PM

I have a wierd problem with my 06 exige. When making left turns somewhat hard, the rear feels like its skipping or getting wheel hop. This happens both on and off throttle, and ONLY when turning left. I have had the car aligned and installed an RTV brace, and nothing seems to be bent...any ideas?

fpitas · 09-11-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos531

I have a wierd problem with my 06 exige. When making left turns somewhat hard, the rear feels like its skipping or getting wheel hop. This happens both on and off throttle, and ONLY when turning left. I have had the car aligned and installed an RTV brace, and nothing seems to be bent...any ideas?

Sure the shock is good on the rear left side? You might check the shock (coilover) mounting bolts, too.

JLSELISE · 09-11-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpitas

Sure the shock is good on the rear left side? You might check the shock (coilover) mounting bolts, too.

If you are turning left, it's the right side that is under load--so that would be the side to check first, and the shocks are certainly a good place to start.

dos531 · 09-11-2009, 02:15 PM

Ok I'll check those bolts, but I dont know how im going to check the shock without another to replace it with. Any ideas?

JonMD11 · 09-11-2009, 02:35 PM

Try swapping them right to left and see if that makes a difference.

charliex · 09-11-2009, 03:38 PM

is it purely mechanical , ie the traction control isn't kicking in?

dos531 · 09-11-2009, 03:45 PM

It's definitely more than traction control, and it does it when tc is deactivated as well.

fpitas · 09-11-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLSELISE

If you are turning left, it's the right side that is under load--so that would be the side to check first, and the shocks are certainly a good place to start.

True, should have said the right side.

Hello Kitty · 09-11-2009, 03:57 PM

I have the same problem.

It is caused by the open diff.

The inside wheel is spinning faster than normal because your outside wheel is carrying the load.

The car cant go as fast as the inside wheel is spinning, so the inside wheel hops to release some of the energy.

open diff is soo stupid.
Lotus is just being cheap by using them.

dos531 · 09-11-2009, 05:13 PM

Yeah I know the open diff isnt ideal, but this doesnt feel like its simply the inside wheel spinning. It feels like the outside rear wheel is skipping or hopping somehow. Plus, if it was the diff, I think it would happen equally to both sides. I am going to try the shock swap when I have time and see if that helps at all. I guess it would be an excuse to get some nitrons

Pengineer91 · 09-11-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

This happens both on and off throttle

Then it's not inside wheel hop/spin due to an open differential. Under neutral or closed throttle, the open diff would allow the inner and outer wheels to spin at different rates, each matching their respective road speeds. In fact, your description more closely matches what I have experienced in other cars with plate-type LSD's, where the stiction between the plates causes the inner wheel to alternately spin/grip as it tries to match the road speed but can't because it's "tied" to the (faster) outer wheel through the LSD.

If it only occurred when on the throttle, then I would agree that inside wheel spin might be part of the issue, although this does not explain why it only occurs when turning left.

Hello Kitty · 09-12-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pengineer91

Then it's not inside wheel hop/spin due to an open differential. Under neutral or closed throttle, the open diff would allow the inner and outer wheels to spin at different rates, each matching their respective road speeds.

No your wrong. With a open diff, the inside tire spins 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x,... faster than it needs to based on the throttle.

I have a open diff. I hate it!!!!

Lotus is just being cheap!

RoadDad · 09-12-2009, 06:52 PM

holmz · 09-13-2009, 02:51 AM

Put both the left and right side up on stands.
Spin either wheel with the parking brake off and see if it is the diff (LSD).
The other wheel should spin opposite, and spin them both CW and CCW.
If it doesn't spin in either direction, then you have an LSD, which probably needs attention.

While it is up, check the shocks/dampers for obvious leaks...
You would need to check the dampers on a shock dyno, but if it is happening at low speeds then this doesn't sound like a shock issue.

glb · 09-13-2009, 08:59 AM

checking shocks w/o dyno:

This sorta worked for me. Go on road that is equally bumpy on both sides. Drive briskly.

Then, feel if one shock is significantly warmer than the other.

I did this when my 2002tii hit a construction hole at high speed. I knew one of the rear tires had broken, but which?

Felt shock 1, quite warm. Felt shock 2, burned my frigging hand!

holmz · 09-13-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glb

checking shocks w/o dyno:

This sorta worked for me. Go on road that is equally bumpy on both sides. Drive briskly.

Then, feel if one shock is significantly warmer than the other.

I did this when my 2002tii hit a construction hole at high speed. I knew one of the rear tires had broken, but which?

Felt shock 1, quite warm. Felt shock 2, burned my frigging hand!

So which one was the broken one? (It could be either...)

You only know that they are not the same, which would tell you that one of them is hosed, and that you need a shock dyno.
Makes sense though for a quick "is it a shock" test.

Mr. Know · 09-14-2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos531

I have a wierd problem with my 06 exige. When making left turns somewhat hard, the rear feels like its skipping or getting wheel hop. This happens both on and off throttle, and ONLY when turning left. I have had the car aligned and installed an RTV brace, and nothing seems to be bent...any ideas?

Any chance a plate LSD was installed by a previous owner? That sounds like a posi rear end in an older car.
Or maybe a Quaife Helical?

dos531 · 09-14-2009, 02:16 PM

I highly doubt it has an aftermarket differential, but I guess I cant be sure. Everything else on the car was stock.

holmz · 09-14-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos531

I highly doubt it has an aftermarket differential, but I guess I cant be sure. Everything else on the car was stock.

Well I'll bet it has an LSD in one direction.

dos531 · 09-14-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holmz

Well I'll bet it has an LSD in one direction.

im not sure how that would work

09-11-2009, 01:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
dos531 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13	Skipping/wheel hop when turning left? I have a wierd problem with my 06 exige. When making left turns somewhat hard, the rear feels like its skipping or getting wheel hop. This happens both on and off throttle, and ONLY when turning left. I have had the car aligned and installed an RTV brace, and nothing seems to be bent...any ideas? __________________ 2006 Exige Aubergine Purple

09-11-2009, 02:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
dos531 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13	Ok I'll check those bolts, but I dont know how im going to check the shock without another to replace it with. Any ideas? __________________ 2006 Exige Aubergine Purple

09-11-2009, 02:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
JonMD11 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 56	Try swapping them right to left and see if that makes a difference. __________________ '06 Storm Ti Elise, Touring, Stage II, Cup Car Air box/K&N, Manly's Motor Mount Inserts, LETSLA

09-11-2009, 03:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
charliex OSX Black hat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 9,935	is it purely mechanical , ie the traction control isn't kicking in? __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100.ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660 West Coast Lotus Meet - Las Vegas - November 6-9 2009 http://www.westcoastlotus.com/

09-11-2009, 03:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
dos531 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13	It's definitely more than traction control, and it does it when tc is deactivated as well. __________________ 2006 Exige Aubergine Purple

09-11-2009, 03:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hello Kitty Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 562	Me Too I have the same problem. It is caused by the open diff. The inside wheel is spinning faster than normal because your outside wheel is carrying the load. The car cant go as fast as the inside wheel is spinning, so the inside wheel hops to release some of the energy. open diff is soo stupid. Lotus is just being cheap by using them.

09-11-2009, 05:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
dos531 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13	Yeah I know the open diff isnt ideal, but this doesnt feel like its simply the inside wheel spinning. It feels like the outside rear wheel is skipping or hopping somehow. Plus, if it was the diff, I think it would happen equally to both sides. I am going to try the shock swap when I have time and see if that helps at all. I guess it would be an excuse to get some nitrons __________________ 2006 Exige Aubergine Purple

09-12-2009, 06:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,019	__________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

09-13-2009, 02:51 AM	#14 (permalink)
holmz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antipodes Posts: 622 Images: 5	Put both the left and right side up on stands. Spin either wheel with the parking brake off and see if it is the diff (LSD). The other wheel should spin opposite, and spin them both CW and CCW. If it doesn't spin in either direction, then you have an LSD, which probably needs attention. While it is up, check the shocks/dampers for obvious leaks... You would need to check the dampers on a shock dyno, but if it is happening at low speeds then this doesn't sound like a shock issue.

09-13-2009, 08:59 AM	#15 (permalink)
glb Unattractive Nuisance Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chester, NJ Posts: 4,516	checking shocks w/o dyno: This sorta worked for me. Go on road that is equally bumpy on both sides. Drive briskly. Then, feel if one shock is significantly warmer than the other. I did this when my 2002tii hit a construction hole at high speed. I knew one of the rear tires had broken, but which? Felt shock 1, quite warm. Felt shock 2, burned my frigging hand! __________________ 05 elise (PES chip, SSRs, shift tower mods, Multivex; HID low beams); 05 Corolla XRS; 72 Elan Sprint, 170 hp (Sold) "Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable." G. Orwell. 6. "A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company." - Gian Vincenzo Gravina

09-14-2009, 02:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
dos531 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13	I highly doubt it has an aftermarket differential, but I guess I cant be sure. Everything else on the car was stock. __________________ 2006 Exige Aubergine Purple

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