off topic suspension problem

sethwas · Jan 22nd, 2003, 12:13 PM

Well,
I mean Off topic in terms of not nissan. My family is probably going to give my wife their old '88 Acura Integra when she gets her license. They just bought a '99 Maxima SE for my sister and have this as an 'extra'. From what my dad told me it eats up the front tires and the front end just has a bad 'feel'. Short of me going and examining the car (since I'm in Canada, and the car is in Florida) what would this be?
The car just got new tires and new struts. THe suspension is a strut, torsion bar setup. That means no springs. You can raise and lower the car just by turning nuts to preload the torsion bar. The tighter the nut the stiffer the bar and the lower the front of the car and vice versa. Just two bars that twist and that is the spring. With new struts what would cause premature tire wear?
Toe, alignment, etc. A screw tightened incorrectly leaving the tire at an angle. Let me know what to go out and look for when I see the car.

Seth

HKS20DET · Jan 22nd, 2003, 05:57 PM

well u could have it aligned. or check the air pressure. but i dont think to much air would eat a tire up that bad

sethwas · Jan 23rd, 2003, 06:20 PM

Hmm,
I'm bending towards the alignment thing, and its definately not air pressure. Something tells me the whole front end needs to be looked at.

Seth

Skinny G · Jan 23rd, 2003, 09:17 PM

The Integra is based on the 84-87 Honda Civic platform, a very capable autocrosser.

The rear is a straight axle, with no adjustment. The front has toe adjustable only. Toe seems to have a huge effect on the "feel" of these cars. Unless something is very loose/worn, I would also suggest an alignment.

The torsion bar adjustment is relatively small - you can lower about 3/4" or so. The Integra is not blessed with much suspension travel, but there are "tricks" to regain about 1/2" travel. If the two nuts are maladjusted, there may be an issue there, but a tapemeasure will tell you if the ride height is buggered.

Good luck!

G