Car Is hydro Planing on dry roads
07-05-12, 01:37 AM
#1
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Car Is hydro Planing on dry roads
98 gs400 all stock with 180k miles. Service unknown, just got car last week. Abs, vsc, vsc off lights on. When I drive the car in dry conditions and hit a bump in the road the car wonders or hydroplanes for a second. But tonight it rained and it got scary where at one moment I had no control and the car was serving side to side and I had to fight it to stay in the lane. Soon down the road a mile from my house the Check engine light came on. Does anyone know what could be the problem? I have work tomorrow and got to drive 80 miles round trip and don't want to be stuck on side of road.
I'm going to take off battery n reset ecu to see if that clears the check light.
Any thoughts? Caster arm bushings? Lower bj? Maybe worse?
Thanks
I'm going to take off battery n reset ecu to see if that clears the check light.
Any thoughts? Caster arm bushings? Lower bj? Maybe worse?
Thanks
07-05-12, 10:08 AM
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The tires have 90% tread left and I don't see how tires would cause my check engine light to turn on soon after the incident. I mean it's pretty darn scary driving the car when it s wet. Lol
07-05-12, 11:10 AM
#7
it sounds like 2 separate, unrelated problems that you have to troubleshoot individually. always start at the absolute bottom of the ladder. get rid of the basic, inexpensive possibilities first. since you just got the car i would suggest an alignment too since its new to you. unless you plan on lowering it or greatly changing wheel/tire size soon,
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07-05-12, 02:01 PM
#8
If the car has a 180k on it and doesn't have new tie rods inners/outters, caster arms, rack bushings, and ball joints then it can defiantly cause wandering and pulling, of course check the obvious alignment, tires, lug torque, and centerbore seating flat.
My car wandered some on bumps when it had worn out caster arms.
My car wandered some on bumps when it had worn out caster arms.
Last edited by 99 GS3; 07-05-12 at 04:22 PM.
07-05-12, 02:07 PM
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ok just to clarify, you cannot hydroplane on dry road. Hydroplaning means the tires are riding on top of the water. I think what you meant to say is fish-tailing, i.e. the rear end swings from side to side. You would have to describe the symptoms with a little bit more detail. For instance when you said you hit a bump, how fast were you going and how big or small was the said bump.
I have had this happen to me on my 91 accord. The rear shocks were worn out and when I hit bumps/pot holes are fairly high speed even on dry roads, the rear of the car would wander. But since the accord is a front wheel drive it wasn't such drastic fish-tail. Now, since the 2GS is a rear wheel drive car this will be more pronounced.
I have had this happen to me on my 91 accord. The rear shocks were worn out and when I hit bumps/pot holes are fairly high speed even on dry roads, the rear of the car would wander. But since the accord is a front wheel drive it wasn't such drastic fish-tail. Now, since the 2GS is a rear wheel drive car this will be more pronounced.
07-05-12, 03:37 PM
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Ok at low speed or high speed the car will wander. Big bump or small bump on the road will cause it when dry. When wet with no bumps following cars in front of me in their tire path the car will just suddenly start to sway back and forth drastically.
Shocks are seemed to good from doing a bounce test and checking for leaks and what not.
Also did a small check by turning the wheels to see hear pop or crackle like the lower bj thread said.
Heard nothing.
Re tighten lugs and made sure they seated well.
Didn't check the caster bushings and tie rods looks good as I tested by jacking up the car and shaking wheel side to side and up and down for play.
It's getting to the point where it's unsafe for my pregnant wife to drive or even ride in. Since its our only vehicle ATM its gonna be hard until I can figure out whats wrong with out
Just throwing money at random parts to see if that did it. Lol
Shocks are seemed to good from doing a bounce test and checking for leaks and what not.
Also did a small check by turning the wheels to see hear pop or crackle like the lower bj thread said.
Heard nothing.
Re tighten lugs and made sure they seated well.
Didn't check the caster bushings and tie rods looks good as I tested by jacking up the car and shaking wheel side to side and up and down for play.
It's getting to the point where it's unsafe for my pregnant wife to drive or even ride in. Since its our only vehicle ATM its gonna be hard until I can figure out whats wrong with out
Just throwing money at random parts to see if that did it. Lol
Last edited by PHML; 07-06-12 at 12:27 PM.
07-05-12, 04:45 PM
#11
I have to admit when I saw the thread title I chuckled and had to take a look at this thread. OP, your car cannot hydroplane on dry pavement. A '98 GS with 180K miles warrants a thorough inspection of the front end suspension and steering components. Getting an alignment is a waste until you first check out those parts and replace if necessary. As for the CEL, check that out to see what the code is.
07-06-12, 03:00 AM
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Had the same problem with low tire pressure and a bad alignment on the rear.
I sometimes wonder how the guys with tucked wheels and 2 digit camber can drive faster than 35mph.
I sometimes wonder how the guys with tucked wheels and 2 digit camber can drive faster than 35mph.
