Old 90 unstable on motorway

Hey all, I'm after a bit of advice. I've got a 1984 200tdi and it feels very unstable on the motorway, driving above 50mph is very twitchy, the steering is very light and it feels like I'm being blown all over the place.
It's had a 2" lift and has HD bearmach springs and tuffback shocks. I fitted a rtc steering damper which has helped but its still not great. Obviously, I'm not expecting a race car but being able to feel safe at 60-65mph would be nice.
Anyone recommend a specialist in the Gloucestershire area that would take a look or have any advice?

Hi, if you have fitted a 2" lift and not corrected for it (castor correct bushes or radius arms) i have been told can cause these sort of issues as it changes the angle of the axle to the road if that makes sense?

What tyres are on it and what pressures?

Ah yea, forgot to mention those. 235/85/16's, bfg at's and 32psi all around I think.

wheel bearings all good ?

Dr_evil said:

wheel bearings all good ?

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Yup, all looked fine to me and a local garage has had a once over everything as well...all looks good.

wheel or swivel bearings I reckon

Paul Webster said:

Yup, all looked fine to me and a local garage has had a once over everything as well...all looks good.

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just cos they've had a once over doesn't mean they aren't bad but could be a mix of things!

no idea how good tuffback shocks are but heard stories of people fitting pro comp ones that were absolute ****!

Dr_evil said:

just cos they've had a once over doesn't mean they aren't bad but could be a mix of things!

no idea how good tuffback shocks are but heard stories of people fitting pro comp ones that were absolute ****!

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Yea true, time for a second opinion I think. That's why I need a specialist in the Gloucestershire area. I'm considering putting it back to standard height as well, I'm guessing that'll improve road handling?

Paul Webster said:

Yea true, time for a second opinion I think. That's why I need a specialist in the Gloucestershire area. I'm considering putting it back to standard height as well, I'm guessing that'll improve road handling?

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I've got a +1.5" lift on mine……hd springs too, made ride far better!


Theres a few guys in stroud on here, if you ask nicely and offer biscuits they may help you check

Bring it to Nailsworth One evening ths week & me or BlueBeasty will crawl under it and have a poke.

With regards to tyre pressures your rear are way under inflated & need to be nearer the 40PSI mark. With fronts around 35PSI IIRC..

You don't need castor corrected radius arms on a 2" lift. I'd be looking at wheel bearings, swivels or bushes. inc rear trailing arm bushes where they fix to the chassis.

I've had 2 Discoveries which acted pretty much exactly as you described, only at much lower speeds and probably worse.

Had them tracked and they were good as gold.
Pound to a penny says that's the problem.

redhand said:

Bring it to Nailsworth One evening ths week & me or BlueBeasty will crawl under it and have a poke.

With regards to tyre pressures your rear are way under inflated & need to be nearer the 40PSI mark. With fronts around 35PSI IIRC..

You don't need castor corrected radius arms on a 2" lift. I'd be looking at wheel bearings, swivels or bushes. inc rear trailing arm bushes where they fix to the chassis.

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Awesome, I'm in stroud myself. Any evening in particular good for you?

i'm running +2", 38psi fronts 40psi rear, all bushes done, handling is excellent

after doing a straghtish run pull over without loads of brake and steering input and feel the tyres see if there are any hot areas

SteNova said:

i'm running +2", 38psi fronts 40psi rear, all bushes done, handling is excellent

after doing a straghtish run pull over without loads of brake and steering input and feel the tyres see if there are any hot areas

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Cheers buddy, it definitely seems they need more psi! The garage that fitted them inflated to 32psi so I assumed that was correct, whats that they say about assumption being the mother of all @#$€ ups. I'm sure it could do with an expert eye going over it as well so I'll get av second opinionb about the bearings etc

mine has a 3inch lift and is fine on the road

Me and Pikey found a few things that should make a difference.

Front left wheel bearing play....nipped it up but a bit rumbly and needs changing.
Trackroad lock nuts loose.....tightened and pointed Paul in the direction of a garage that has the kit to do it properly.
Steering damper spring not located in damper body.....sorted though may need adjustment
Some play in drop-arm ball joint....not bad but one to add to the to-do list

Other than that needs a new front u/j and new rear prop but all other bushes/balljoints etc look good.

Oh and transfer box front output bearings on it's way out.

Suspect the steering issue is a combination of the above......Nice 90 though, well solid underneath