i always drive with the 10-2 grip. it could be that i'm just not used to such large tire/wheels. but i'll still keep an ieye on it to see if it gets worse and will still have the brakes checked at the service especially the EBD module. thanks for the responses.

 

Steering update: I drove wiyh the salesman who agreed something is definitely wrong. Suggested taking the service guy for a drive (svc dept closed). I have found at low speed coming to a halt at a light, I can control the pull of the wheel by holding it firmly and it actually seems acceptable. If I let go of the wheel the car veers to either the right or left depending of the road. The same test in my X5 yields no aberrations in the steering. Moreover, I continued to pump the brakes which increased the turn of the wheel a full 3/4 turn! That's when my salesman said "something is wrong". At freeway speed, no matter how firmly I grip the wheel, it darts left in the uneven left turn lane requiring steering corection. ?DSC problem vs electric steering. I thought DSC was supposed to REDUCE OVERSTEER not jerk your car into the next lane. hmmmm?


VELOCITY RED,R/B 6SPD GT. OWNER SINCE 8/11 521 MILES

 

The symptoms you describe sound to me like your front end is toeing out. Just a thought, but have you been banging over any kerbs lately? The first thing I'd check would be the alignment.

 

I'll have the alignment checked also -good suggestion. I've been granny driving, only a pothole or two no curbs or Armco, yet to hit 8000rpm, oh but wait until tomorrow I should be at the magic 600 miles.

 

Well guys, I crossed 8500rom today and it was spectacular. I easily heard the beep others have complained about not hearing on other threads. When I drive fast, I turn the radio off and the Valentine one on max volume. Now the steering. No change it the veering on irregular pavement when braking. I have noticed a weird undulation in the wheel at times on smooth pavement while driving. Less so while going fast (go faster a solution? )

Velocity red, R/B,GT 6SPD,6DISC

And the watchman told, for the driving is like the driving of Jehu son of Nimshi for he driveth furously. II Kings 9:20

 

Speaking of exaggeration.
Audi recalled all TT's and added the spoiler after one guy, travelling around 130mph, in the rain, lost control and crashed, resulting in death.
Testing was done and published by Audi stating that there was 148lbs of lift at the rear at high speeds, and they added the spoiler.

Spoilers do not start to do anything on cars until at least 100mph, unless they are ridiculously huge things, like on those short track cars on dirt. And those are the almost the size of a sheet of plywood!

My RX-8 "hunts" a bit at the nose at around 165kmh.
A chin spoiler would likely diminish this..

See:
The actual dealer service bulletin:
http://steve-hall.com/audi-tsb/circ/KX_Cir_CAN.pdf

Press and media reports:
http://www.accidentreconstruction.co...9/102899a.html

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=3523

http://www.autointell-news.com/news-...y-25-00-p8.htm

 

I remember reading in either Autoweek or Automotive News (industry trade journal) that there were SEVERAL high speed accidents due to rear lift in the TT, not just one idiot driving fast in the rain. If any exaggeration occured, the sources are respected journals as mentioned above and the Car and Driver article you were so kind enough to link in your reply. My 8 tracks as if on rails, except as mentioned when braking on irregular pavement. Check engine light came and went twice yesterday. I am beginning to worry a bit.

 

Considering that you aren't supposed to pump the brakes with ABS, is it possible that you are causing the problem by pumping?

 

Considering that you aren't supposed to pump the brakes with ABS, is it possible that you are causing the problem by pumping?
________________________________________________

The only pumping I do is for test purposes. The pumping I describe is when the car is FULLY STOPPED and the wheel continues to turn in the same direction under non pumping braking. This should NEVER happen, not ever in over thirty cars I have owned (even with bad calipers). The defect in braking has been demonstrated to my salesman who agrees something is wrong although I fear the service dept may say it is something I'm doing or "it's the pavement". I'm taking them for a drive this week. We'll see.

 

I don't know if this has anything to do with it but I was looking at various sections of the workshop manual the other day and it mentioned that under certain conditions you may need to re-set the steering centerline recognition. An example given was if the negative battery cable was disconnected. It mentioned that the DSC could malfunction otherwise( potentially causing loss of control)

 

This theory really has possibilities, Thanks. I have no idea if the svc dept knows of this but i'll mention it along with other ideas as dsc module, and alignment.

 

The low speed pulling just before you stop is normal, I have it, and have had it on the other sports cars I've owned... it is driven by different grip form each of the front wheels.

The high speed issue sounds definitely like a problem.

 

I'm bettin' this is your problem. Any chance you may have disconnected the battery, say, to install an electrical mod or something? If so, here's the procedure you need to follow (from the mp3 installation guide):

For what it's worth...

 

I am going to try this, I have not done any mods to discinnect the battery, however I had the dealer install a factory in dash 6 disc unit which could be the culprit. I have turned the dsc off with the button and it seems to turn on ok based on the dash lights.Thanks for the input.

 

I disconnected my battery today, and after re-attaching powr had the same DSC flight flashing as described.
After following the calibration procedure as described above, and in the manual, the light went off and DSC returned to normal state.
Before and after I detect no symptoms like you describe.

I suspect that if it IS a DSC problem, there may be a fault in the DSC or perhaps in one of the wheel sensors.

 

Low profile tires are very sensitive to road change. The sidewalls do not flex much and will pull hard into pavement groves. You should ask the A/T RX-8 drivers W/16" wheels if they have any steering problems. I know the pull on my 8 is about the same as my FD w/ 18" wheels and low profile tires. However, you guys that think it is extreme should have it checked out.

 

What happened, did your problem go away when you followed the steps above or do you still have it? I haven't experienced anything like what was described but it's my wife's daily driver and now you've got me thinking about freeway chutes and stuff. I've only experienced perfect handling on the freeway and the backroads. Hope you find your problem and get it fixed. Let us know.

 

Took the service guy for a ride , Normal behavior for the low profile tires! I don't like that answer. I drove a buddy's Z4 and my brothers Vette which did not demonstrate any steering shenanigins. My 8 only developed this after about 350 miles. I am going to test drive another 8 on the exact road where my wheel pulls and see if it acts the same. Of note, I drove the turn bay from the freeway again at 50mph holding the wheel tight and felt a slight tug toward the crown/irregular pavement but no darting as before. I then turned around at the Wendy's and re ran the same road at the same speed lightly holding the wheel and voila! the front end darted to the left. Perhaps this is normal, if so you better make dang sure you keep a firm grip on the wheel. Still does not explain why the wheel continues to pull while FULLY STOPPED if I pump the brake pedal. I have NEVER seen this in over thirty cars owned and hundreds driven. Sadly, I am planning to return this great car to Mazda and likely buy again in about a year if all the bugs are worked out. Oil light came on and went off , Level still above the mark from day one. This clinched the decision for me. My last drive will be back to the dealer. Hope to rejoin you guys as an owner in in late 04.

 

Low profile tires are more sensitive to the road but not as bad as you you are saying. I think your 8 has bigger problems. Let us know how the other 8 reacts on the same road. If you really want a scare, put some slow speed rated snow tires on those wheels.:D

 

The only times I've ever noticed it is when there's bad ruts in the road. I make sure to have a firm hold on the wheel at those intersections, and everything's good.

 

Try it with wide 275 series tires and 9.5" rims..... The road is the contributing factor...

It is OK with the stock wheels

 

If you want ultra-unresponsive steering, you can always buy a cadilac, or an excursion.

 

The symptom you describe, of having the wheel whip suddenly one direction
when the car is nearly stopped really sounds like a brake caliper is seized or you
have a bubble in the brake fluid.

Not as noticable at high speed, when the motion of the car keeps the wheel
somewhat straight.

Jack up the front end, get both front wheels spinning (by hand works fine),
and have someone slowly depress the brake pedal.
See if one wheel stops before the other. If the system is working correctly,
both wheels should stop nearly simultaneously.