General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

Need some help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-20-2012, 10:48 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
NotBoostedYet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gainesville, Ga
Posts: 145
Total Cats: 0
Default Need some help

I have a thumping sound come from the front of my car. The thumping sounds almost like a flat tire. I started having this problem after the December NASA event at Road Atlanta where I locked up the brakes and got a little sideways. I stayed on track and didn't hit anything. Right after this happened I started getting the thumping sound. I checked the car out and saw I had a flat spot on each of the left side tires. Recently I bought two new tires hoping that would fix my problem but it didn't. So tonight I swapped out my 6ul's for my stockers and did a test drive and the thumping sound was even worse??
I'm running a RB 1.25 FSB with Koni sports and ground controls. Any ideas what it might be?? Thanks in advance!
NotBoostedYet is offline  
Old 02-21-2012, 03:47 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
bikersam717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sonora, Ca
Posts: 618
Total Cats: 74
Default

Disconnect the sway bar end links up front and drive it around. Report back if sound is gone.
bikersam717 is offline  
Old 02-21-2012, 05:37 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
NotBoostedYet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gainesville, Ga
Posts: 145
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bikersam717
Disconnect the sway bar end links up front and drive it around. Report back if sound is gone.
Ok did the test drive the sound is still there??
NotBoostedYet is offline  
Old 02-21-2012, 07:32 PM
  #4  
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
 
miatauser884's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,959
Total Cats: 11
Default

Check the rubber boots on the steering rack
miatauser884 is offline  
Old 02-22-2012, 01:46 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
bikersam717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sonora, Ca
Posts: 618
Total Cats: 74
Default

Does it seem to be related to how fast you're going? ie: increase with speed?
bikersam717 is offline  
Old 02-22-2012, 07:43 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
NotBoostedYet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gainesville, Ga
Posts: 145
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by bikersam717
Does it seem to be related to how fast you're going? ie: increase with speed?
Yes it does
NotBoostedYet is offline  
Old 02-22-2012, 02:33 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
NotBoostedYet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gainesville, Ga
Posts: 145
Total Cats: 0
Default

Update: Took the car to a local shop I use and they seem to think it's the tires.
NotBoostedYet is offline  
Old 02-22-2012, 02:59 PM
  #8  
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Doppelgänger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6,850
Total Cats: 71
Default

I'm unclear on something, have you changed out all 4 wheels with ones that were NOT used at the track?
Doppelgänger is offline  
Old 02-22-2012, 05:58 PM
  #9  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
NotBoostedYet's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gainesville, Ga
Posts: 145
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Doppelgänger
I'm unclear on something, have you changed out all 4 wheels with ones that were NOT used at the track?
I had two changed out(Rs3's). I thought only two had flat spots. I checked the other two and they each have a VERY small flat spot. I would just replace the other two also but the Rs3's are on national back order. I did a test drive with the stock wheel/tires and the thumping got worse. So I took the stockers to get them balanced and just found out two of the rims are bent wtf. I knew I should've just bought four Rs3's!!!
NotBoostedYet is offline  
Old 02-22-2012, 10:20 PM
  #10  
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Doppelgänger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 6,850
Total Cats: 71
Default

Sounds like you're jumping from one problem to another without having the ability to eliminate variables. Even a flat spot that is barely visible will be felt/heard. If you were sideways and locked up, then all four were locked up. Granted the leading tires have more weight on them, meaning more friction and larger flat spots, the others will suffer as well.

Flatspots suck.
Doppelgänger is offline  




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:10 PM.