Body roll in my Esteem

[toretto]

Hi everyone,

I am a newbie in this forum. I have been reading the threads in this forum for a long time but this is the first time I am creating a thread. You guys are doing a wonderful job helping each other. I really learned a lot from this forum.

I own a 2000 model Maruti Esteem VX MPFI which has done around 90k kms. I have purchased this car second hand 6 months back.

Let me get to the problem which i feel is regarding the suspension of the car. The suspension of the car is not bottoming out or anything but the car seems to be sliding around while taking corners (maybe bodyroll). It also feels like the car is rocking like a boat when there are slight undulations in the road.

What could be the problem? What can i do to fix this? Please help.

[akshay1234]

take it to an authorized maruti service centre and have them look a the suspension. it might need an overhaul.

[toretto]

I have showed the car to around 3 or 4 authorised service centres in Bangalore including RNS and Mandovi. But they are not able to identify the problem. (They are of the view that suspension is good).

[akshay1234]

well then maybe its normal. ill let the gurus sort this out for you. i dont think it makes much sense getting an after market suspension in a 90k esteem.


mods - can you plz move this to the technical section.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

1. Drive a different esteem (if you have not driven another esteem before) and check that it is not a car handling problem.
2. Take the vehicle to a water servicing station, get the underbody washed, and look for gaps between suspension and the body. There may be gaps / cracks someplace.

[kpzen]

Is it running on 155/80-13 tyres??

[esteem_lover]

It is most probably something to do with your tyres, if not the suspension. how old are your tyres & what size are they ?

[nitrous]

I have one word for U.
Pedders!

[n_aditya]

Hi Toretto,

Esteems generally have some amount of body roll. To figure out if the body roll on your car is more, drive another esteem and you will know if the suspensions are due for replacement.

At what speeds (during turns) do u feel that the body roll is high? If there is too much rocking even with normal potholes then the suspension may have gone kaput.

If all is fine and the body roll needs to be reduced, invest in a good set of strut braces.

P.S. Since you are from blore, consider consulting our member psycho. He will be able to give u correct advice.

[toretto]

Thanks for the replies.

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

1. Drive a different esteem (if you have not driven another esteem before) and check that it is not a car handling problem.
2. Take the vehicle to a water servicing station, get the underbody washed, and look for gaps between suspension and the body. There may be gaps / cracks someplace.

1> I have driven other esteem and found it to better in this issue
2> I regularly service it from MASS, but havent checked the gaps. But shouldnt the service engineers find it out?

Originally Posted by kpzen

Is it running on 155/80-13 tyres??

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

It is most probably something to do with your tyres, if not the suspension. how old are your tyres & what size are they ?

I have changed the tyres after buying the car to 175/70-13 Bridgestone Turanzas.

Originally Posted by nitrous

I have one word for U.
Pedders!

What is Pedders? Is it suspension? How much does it cost?

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Hi Toretto,

Esteems generally have some amount of body roll. To figure out if the body roll on your car is more, drive another esteem and you will know if the suspensions are due for replacement.

At what speeds (during turns) do u feel that the body roll is high? If there is too much rocking even with normal potholes then the suspension may have gone kaput.

If all is fine and the body roll needs to be reduced, invest in a good set of strut braces.

P.S. Since you are from blore, consider consulting our member psycho. He will be able to give u correct advice.

I am feeling body roll around 60-70 kph while taking turns. What are strut braces? Can u please shed some light on this?

I will PM psycho regarding this.

[yakkundi]

Hi,
Check with Motorsmiths in bangalore-in JP nagar. they good job on esteems. u can give it a try.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by toretto

1. What is Pedders? Is it suspension? How much does it cost?

2. What are strut braces? Can u please shed some light on this?

Hey Toretto,

Below links will help you understand how suspensions and strut braces work.

Car Bibles : The Car Suspension Bible

Howstuffworks "Dampers: Struts and Anti-sway Bars"

Link to pedders : Pedders Suspension - Straight advice, specialists you understand and... No Bull The pedders suspensions are imported by Electra Automotive in Chennai.

[toretto]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Hey Toretto,

Below links will help you understand how suspensions and strut braces work.

Car Bibles : The Car Suspension Bible

Howstuffworks "Dampers: Struts and Anti-sway Bars"

Link to pedders : Pedders Suspension - Straight advice, specialists you understand and... No Bull The pedders suspensions are imported by Electra Automotive in Chennai.

Thanks Aditya. That is a whole lot of information regarding suspension systems.

Strut braces are used to connect the struts so that lateral movement is reduced, right? That will definitely help.

I called Psycho today and he has agreed to look at the car next week.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by toretto

I called Psycho today and he has agreed to look at the car next week.

Glad to be of help toretto. All the best. Keep us posted on the developments.

[Shardul]

Strut braces are not going to reduce body roll, check you sway bar links they might be worn out.
Strut braces are used to reduce body flex and make the unibody more stiffness. Strut braces help when you auto cross the car.