Handling issues

[mark78]

Hi everyone I'm a recent convert to the stag and a new member and have just bought a 73 stag auto with a genuine! 57k on the clock.
I've been giving it a few runs out and have noticed that the handling especially on the rear is vague. It feels like the tyre pressures are too low but obviously checked that. There's no major play in the wheel bearings either. I also get a shudder through the steering over bumps.
I don't know if this is normal and I've been too used to modern cars with their low profile tyres and need to adapt!

[V Mad]

Hi Mark and congrats on your choice.

The stag standards of handling are superb for a car of the 70s. My stag handles just fine even when compared to my modern, in fact its even smoother over the speed humps.

Firstly sort out the shudder as that is an obvious fault of some sort; perhaps knackered shocks?

Worn rubber bushes in the suspension arms can ruin the handling so check those and replace (with poly bushes) where necessary.

[jbuckl]

Hi & welcome,

The standard car should handle surprisingly well for a 40+ year old design on modern tyres if its all as intended.

The suspension can be worn as Vmad says, particularly at the bushes / subframe mounts.

The driveshafts can cause a twitch from the rear end.....but most often its the bushes / shocks.

Steering racks can wear & it can be difficult to source a good rebuilt / exchange one.

The diff mounts also contribute to the rear subframe stiffness, and can be in poor shape.

[davidf]

I've been a Stag owner for over 30 years, and I always thought it was a 'sloppy' handing car - just accepted that as a 'touring' car rather than a 'sports' car.
Replaced all the suspension bushes with poly about 4 years ago - what a difference. Just kicking myself for not doing it years ago. All those lost years of enjoyable tight handling.
Main culprits are steering rack mounting bushes - leave the steering a bit imprecise; and trailing arm bushes - let the back end shuffle about.

[Stagsongas]

I found the handling of my car improved quite dramatically when I swapped the original tyes (and wheels) from the fat and very flexible, wide sidewall 80 profile tyres down to 70 profile. With the tyres I had on originally, I could actually feel the sidewalls deforming on cornering, much like having low pressures.

Still, checking all the things mentioned above has to be the first thing to do as it might save you the money on replacement wheels / tyres. It might also save you a failed MOT or your life.

For me, a second handling improvement resulted when I fitted the Rilsan coated driveshafts - No Stag 'twitch' now.

Good Luck

Steve

[mark78]

Thanks all.

The steering rack does have a fair bit of play in it which was advised on last mot. I'll have a look at the shocks next too.

In response to jbuckl 's comment about finding a good quality recon rack does anyone recommend a trusted supplier?