BRZ not stable at highway speeds - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

unplugged · 04-02-2016, 03:22 PM

I recently bought a '16 BRZ Limited in early March. Today was one of the first days I really got to drive it more than 20 miles on open highway and not to the dealership.

At 500 miles, my alignment was out, they fixed the rear toe and everything now is in spec. Now at 628 miles, cruising around 70-75mph (yes within speed limits) my car will literally shift left or right and it doesn't matter which lance since I know the road crown can give a slight pull.

Around a slight right bend on the highway, the car literally went half way into another lane.

Had the alignment checked elsewhere, still in spec. I even looked under the car and found nothing out of the ordinary.

Now I know the car is light and it was a bit windy, but I never felt unsafe driving a new car. My C5 vette will handle these slight bends like nothing even in tornado storm weather. Granted it has a much lower COG, wider tires, and beefier suspension.

I'm wondering if this is normal for the BRZ, or if lowering it and having wider tires will help. Or is there something actually wrong with the vehicle.

ryoma · 04-02-2016, 03:29 PM

what is "within spec" that the alignment people are telling you? do you know the numbers? sounds like you have a problem with the toe to me. I'm assuming your car is stock, and the "stock" alignment has a wide range that can be considered within spec.

N1rve · 04-02-2016, 03:42 PM

Show the alignment print out. Within spec may still have variances. Example the spec can be -.08 and .08 and you can be sitting at both extreme ranges per side.

justatroll · 04-02-2016, 03:43 PM

Been to 127mph and it felt very solid. I suspect misalignment. I would have it checked by a different shop.

nvus_frs · 04-02-2016, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justatroll

Been to 127mph and it felt very solid. I suspect misalignment. I would have it checked by a different shop.

makes two of us. even after I slammed my twin running around -5 to -6 camber all the way around it felt stable at 120mph and i was driving without an alignment at the time. Just put the coils lcas and all that and drove around till the next paycheck. never had my car pull to a side unless its windy out

OP sounds like a one off issue or whoever did your alignment missed something.

Tcoat · 04-02-2016, 05:55 PM

14 hours a week spent on the highway and it takes curves like it is on rails. There is something not right.

rookie · 04-02-2016, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1rve

Show the alignment print out. Within spec may still have variances. Example the spec can be -.08 and .08 and you can be sitting at both extreme ranges per side.

^Yup, get the exact specs from them.

gravitylover · 04-02-2016, 06:48 PM

I did over 600 miles yesterday from the northern NY 'burbs to within 75 miles of the Canuckistanian border in northern NH and back, interstates and back roads in all sorts of weather at all sorts of speeds and not a problem with stock tires that have ~40,000 miles on them. There is something not right with your car.

ps: ooh I had my best mpg tank ever at 34 with an avg speed a little over 70mph

mav1178 · 04-02-2016, 07:35 PM

misalignment or defective tires.

themadscientist · 04-02-2016, 07:59 PM

They screwed something up or something is defective on your car. I routinely cruise at 100mph+ and my BRZ is laser straight and stable. I have wide sticky tires too so I'm putting more load on the steering and suspension.

Hood starts to wiggle, sure, but tracks perfect.

Atropine · 04-02-2016, 08:47 PM

I am curious if it was extreme wind (but sounds like you took that into account).

Were there grooves in the pavement? I know on my motorcycles that can make my bike shake.

And the obvious most likely answer...something is just wrong with suspension bits (all the stuff people above me mentioned).

I am not super-mechanic or anything...could it be something wrong with the steering wheel/column and that set up?

EAGLE5 · 04-02-2016, 09:54 PM

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/307

gravitylover · 04-03-2016, 03:00 AM

^^ One thing in that article bugs me. It says new tires always go on the rear. I've always done exactly the opposite, if I'm only replacing two they go on the front.

shattered_memory · 04-03-2016, 03:58 AM

Our cars are sensitive to the wind at highway speeds.....well mine is anyway. However, I honestly don't mind it or feel unsafe. I love the feel and handling of this car. I am sorry if you are not satisfied with your purchase.

04-02-2016, 03:22 PM	#1
unplugged Master Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: Subaru BRZ Location: Homeless Posts: 35 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	BRZ not stable at highway speeds I recently bought a '16 BRZ Limited in early March. Today was one of the first days I really got to drive it more than 20 miles on open highway and not to the dealership. At 500 miles, my alignment was out, they fixed the rear toe and everything now is in spec. Now at 628 miles, cruising around 70-75mph (yes within speed limits) my car will literally shift left or right and it doesn't matter which lance since I know the road crown can give a slight pull. Around a slight right bend on the highway, the car literally went half way into another lane. Had the alignment checked elsewhere, still in spec. I even looked under the car and found nothing out of the ordinary. Now I know the car is light and it was a bit windy, but I never felt unsafe driving a new car. My C5 vette will handle these slight bends like nothing even in tornado storm weather. Granted it has a much lower COG, wider tires, and beefier suspension. I'm wondering if this is normal for the BRZ, or if lowering it and having wider tires will help. Or is there something actually wrong with the vehicle.

04-02-2016, 03:29 PM	#2
ryoma Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Drives: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited CWP Location: SoCal Posts: 1,561 Thanks: 34 Thanked 669 Times in 469 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	what is "within spec" that the alignment people are telling you? do you know the numbers? sounds like you have a problem with the toe to me. I'm assuming your car is stock, and the "stock" alignment has a wide range that can be considered within spec. __________________ My 2015 CWP BRZ Build

04-02-2016, 03:42 PM	#3
N1rve Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2019 BMW ///M4 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,332 Thanks: 102 Thanked 1,167 Times in 714 Posts Mentioned: 28 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Show the alignment print out. Within spec may still have variances. Example the spec can be -.08 and .08 and you can be sitting at both extreme ranges per side. __________________ N1rve 2019 BMW ///M4 - Alpine White \| Sakhir Orange/Black Leather \| M-DCT \| Executive Package \| 19" Black 437M Wheels \| Carbon Fiber Trim \| Sunroof \| Active Blind Spot \| Heated Steering Wheel \| Adaptive M Suspension

04-02-2016, 05:55 PM	#6
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	14 hours a week spent on the highway and it takes curves like it is on rails. There is something not right. __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

04-02-2016, 06:48 PM	#8
gravitylover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Drives: 2013 BRZ Premium 6MT White Location: SE NY Posts: 1,503 Thanks: 1,218 Thanked 669 Times in 474 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I did over 600 miles yesterday from the northern NY 'burbs to within 75 miles of the Canuckistanian border in northern NH and back, interstates and back roads in all sorts of weather at all sorts of speeds and not a problem with stock tires that have ~40,000 miles on them. There is something not right with your car. ps: ooh I had my best mpg tank ever at 34 with an avg speed a little over 70mph __________________

04-02-2016, 03:43 PM	#4
justatroll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Drives: Full race 4cyl boxer Location: CO, USA Posts: 587 Thanks: 310 Thanked 510 Times in 269 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Been to 127mph and it felt very solid. I suspect misalignment. I would have it checked by a different shop.

04-02-2016, 07:35 PM	#9
mav1178 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 2005 Toyota Camry Location: 91745 Posts: 6,562 Thanks: 493 Thanked 6,093 Times in 3,029 Posts Mentioned: 95 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	misalignment or defective tires.

04-02-2016, 08:47 PM	#11
Atropine Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2021 Toyota Supra 2020 4Runner Location: New Plymouth, ID Posts: 701 Thanks: 1,396 Thanked 829 Times in 346 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I am curious if it was extreme wind (but sounds like you took that into account). Were there grooves in the pavement? I know on my motorcycles that can make my bike shake. And the obvious most likely answer...something is just wrong with suspension bits (all the stuff people above me mentioned). I am not super-mechanic or anything...could it be something wrong with the steering wheel/column and that set up?

04-03-2016, 03:00 AM	#13
gravitylover Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Drives: 2013 BRZ Premium 6MT White Location: SE NY Posts: 1,503 Thanks: 1,218 Thanked 669 Times in 474 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	^^ One thing in that article bugs me. It says new tires always go on the rear. I've always done exactly the opposite, if I'm only replacing two they go on the front. __________________

04-03-2016, 03:58 AM	#14
shattered_memory Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Drives: Satin White BRZ Limited Location: SOCAL Posts: 182 Thanks: 59 Thanked 60 Times in 40 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Our cars are sensitive to the wind at highway speeds.....well mine is anyway. However, I honestly don't mind it or feel unsafe. I love the feel and handling of this car. I am sorry if you are not satisfied with your purchase.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Stock pads dangerous in cold/wet @ highway speeds?	SloS14	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	14	03-09-2014 03:26 AM
Average speeds on the highway?	Yamajee	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	67	09-29-2013 12:41 AM
Wind/road noise at highway speeds?	Kieranz	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics	20	06-13-2013 10:11 AM
RPM at Highway Speeds	sparis45	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	21	05-26-2013 02:41 PM

User Name		Remember Me?
Password