[Bilkid]

Hey, I've got a question.

I've just got my white sedan and am in the break-in period. Since I'm trying to keep the rpm below 4k, I've been satisfying myself with some spirited driving in the twisties just to get used to the handling characteristics of the car.

I've noticed a tendency for the rear end to feel like is is floating to the outside of the corner when carrying speed in the turn. The tires aren't letting go... the rear of the car just feels light.

Here's the question. Is that normal to this car and is that why so many people suggest a rear sway bar? Hey, now that I mention it, the car does feel like it is swaying...hmmm.

Or could it be caused by the stock tires, which I have heard many people complain about?

I know that if I get better tires/rims and the sway bar, it would probably take care of the issue, but I would like to pinpoint the most exact way to fix this. Besides, I would like to wear out my stock tires a little more before replacing them.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[FUNKED1]

It's a little more neutral than most FWD cars. I.e. tends to understeer less. This is a good thing.

 

[djrez4]

You have discovered the passive rear wheel steering designed into Subaru rear suspension!

 

[MisterX]

Stiffer shocks and a better rear anti-sway bar will help.

misterx

 

[blackshadow]

this is a little off topic, but isn't your avatar copied from someone else's? If i'm not mistaken somebody with a 12 or 13 sec. auto from new mexico, can't remember member name, made that avatar....

 

[Bilkid]

this is a little off topic, but isn't your avatar copied from someone else's? If i'm not mistaken somebody with a 12 or 13 sec. auto from new mexico, can't remember member name, made that avatar....

No, unless your friend works for Peugot If you look at the right corner you can see this Peugot symbol and name.

But, who cares if it was an add for Peugot. It is funny.

 

[SaggioWRX]

When I installed my Eibach springs, this loose feeling coming from the rear was extremly reduced!!!

 

[blackshadow]

oops, sorry. his had a picture of a rosary hanging at that kind of angle. i love the avatar thats why i noticed.

 

[Bilkid]

oops, sorry. his had a picture of a rosary hanging at that kind of angle. i love the avatar thats why i noticed.

No problem. I like it too.

 

[Bilkid]

You have discovered the passive rear wheel steering designed into Subaru rear suspension!

Rez,

Are you serious?! They designed the car with passive rear wheel stearing? I'm sorry to doubt you, but I've not read this anywhere. Do you have any more info you could show me/steer me to (pun intended)?

If you are being funny, forgive me for being slow on the uptake.

I have been experimenting more with the car, and it does feel like the back end is rotating fairly quickly. Now that you mention rear-wheel steering, the car feels like the rear end is traveling on a different line than the front. As I am getting used to the sensation, I feel like the rotation of the rear end allows me to corner better. It feels like the rear of the car is sliding, like after applying the breaks and getting the rear to start to slide around, but without the jerkiness and much more subtlely.

 

[Bilkid]

Stiffer shocks and a better rear anti-sway bar will help.

misterx

Thanks misterx.

That's what I was anticipating. I plan to get a rear sway bar at the very least.

 

[djrez4]

Rez,

Are you serious?! They designed the car with passive rear wheel stearing? I'm sorry to doubt you, but I've not read this anywhere. Do you have any more info you could show me/steer me to (pun intended)?

If you are being funny, forgive me for being slow on the uptake.

I have been experimenting more with the car, and it does feel like the back end is rotating fairly quickly. Now that you mention rear-wheel steering, the car feels like the rear end is traveling on a different line than the front. As I am getting used to the sensation, I feel like the rotation of the rear end allows me to corner better. It feels like the rear of the car is sliding, like after applying the breaks and getting the rear to start to slide around, but without the jerkiness and much more subtlely.

I'm entirely serious. Subaru isn't even the only car that has this kind of feature. I used to notice it a lot more on my Outback. You could feel the rear end coming around a bit on highway cloverleafs. There's a tiny bit if info here if you scroll down to the "suspension" blurb at the bottom. Irvine subaru says pretty much the same thing here if you read through it. And finally, here you can see how the New Zealanders build more informative website than we do.

 

[Bilkid]

Rez, you da man!

Thanks for those links! You're right, the Aussie site was great! I especially liked the option of using the flash media. The more I read about this car, the more pleased I am to be an owner.

Passive rear-wheel steering...hmmm. That makes total sense now. That describes the feeling like the back end is floating around in the turn on a different line than the front. Never had a car with rear-steering (active or passive) so I wasn't used to that feeling. At first impression, it feels like something is loose in the rear. Kind of a weird sensation.

Thanks again rez.

 

[WTypeRogerX]

There's a tiny bit if info here if you scroll down to the "suspension" blurb at the bottom. Irvine subaru says pretty much the same thing here if you read through it. And finally, here you can see how the New Zealanders build more informative website than we do.

Is there a name for our rear suspensions? I know the fronts are McPherson struts, but are the rears considered multi-links?

 

[stilesg57]

When I installed my Eibach springs, this loose feeling coming from the rear was extremly reduced!!!

Second that

Though I don't know if you're talking about the actual 'looseness' in the rear suspension (as it relates to dampening and body roll) or the rear end coming around more than a FWD car, which, as was said before, IS good.

Cheers to more oversteer - it's just so much darned fun!