Slow Speed Surging

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

maybe i got an STI suspension in the car. Was driving on the
interstate today and one section that looked like smooth concrete
though the color had shadings, was causing a Clicking sound. Maybe I
have stuck shocks.

VF

Do you feel any 'jerkiness' during slow speed turning - as in parking
or maneuvering in tight quarters?

Carl

 

[houndman]

Do you feel any 'jerkiness' during slow speed turning - as in parking
or maneuvering in tight quarters?

Carl

Not sure, why do you ask?. Working the clutch is a bit awkward with it
grabbing so low, and here, people (immigrants) started parking with 2
wheels on the pavement since the street is narrow and only 2 lanes
wide. I never did till my old car got side swiped 4X, 3 times in one
week, so the Sube is up on the pavement. Some curbs are real low, but
where I am parking it in front of the house, the curb is pretty high
and parked cars pretty close. I didn't like the angle the tires sit
at, with one side sitting higher. I don't think it is good for the
tires, especially old ones like on my old car, but tires are easier to
replace than sheet metal and paint.((

I was wondering of the higher octane might help with the surge?
Maybe I'm just asking too much from new cars.(( Have to try bouncing
the car and seeing if struts are sticking for the ride. I can count
the inperceptable rippels in roads. I feel every one.(( No wonder the
WRX beat me up on a mile test drive through the city. Maybe the
Mustang seats will help. They seem a lot softer. I drove a 20yr old
SVO model 2 weeks ago, and they felt softer, even being leather.

VF

 

[houndman]

Subaru wants the CIRCUMFERENCE of each tire to be within 1/4" of each
other. I THINK, by having those tires so much less inflated than the the
others, the center diff will detect it as slippage and may engage the
50/50 lock on dry pavement. That will lead to stress on the drivetrain
(since you are not actually on a slippery surface) possibly causing
damage. You should try to stay near the 'ratio' that is indicated in the
manual or on the door jamb. If you must, lower the pressure in all 4, or
raise the pressure in all 4(not above the max on the sidewall), but stay
near the 'differential' recommended.

You might get away with 10 lbs. difference for a short while - but
eventually the center diff or other component will fail.

Carl

You mentioned too low a tire pressure and the tires might come off
the rims. I'm not into Rallying yet.) but think the pressurew ould
have to be mighty low. With my FWD mid sized Chevy I usally run 30 in
the fronts and 20+ in the rear that had bigger tires. One has a very
slow leak and noiced it was low after a good bit of highway driving,
Had about 10lbs in it. the inside wall of the tires are cracked from
age, but I don't really worry about it since to me that isn't the
strength or air holding ability of a tire. the fabric and inner rubber
liner are. My dad had a thing about not parking in puddles, be he went
back to cotton corded tube type tires, when you didn't plug the
carcass, and the thinking was that water could get into the puncture
hole and rot the cotton and cause a blowout. I started driving on
nylon corded tubeless tires. I never had a tire problem. Drove 400mi
after pulling a roofing nail out of puncture sealing tires. Had to add
5lbs total before it completely sealed.

Just wondering how low or high I could go with the Sube and not wear
centers or edge tread. I always go by the Look of the tire, an then
the ride, and never saw uneven wear. Might have to add a few bags of
sand to the back, but then they'd want me to up the rear pressure.((

VF

 

[David]

Not sure, why do you ask?. Working the clutch is a bit awkward with it
grabbing so low, and here, people (immigrants) started parking with 2
wheels on the pavement since the street is narrow and only 2 lanes
wide. I never did till my old car got side swiped 4X, 3 times in one
week, so the Sube is up on the pavement. Some curbs are real low, but
where I am parking it in front of the house, the curb is pretty high
and parked cars pretty close. I didn't like the angle the tires sit
at, with one side sitting higher. I don't think it is good for the
tires, especially old ones like on my old car, but tires are easier to
replace than sheet metal and paint.((

I was wondering of the higher octane might help with the surge?
Maybe I'm just asking too much from new cars.(( Have to try bouncing
the car and seeing if struts are sticking for the ride. I can count
the inperceptable rippels in roads. I feel every one.(( No wonder the
WRX beat me up on a mile test drive through the city. Maybe the
Mustang seats will help. They seem a lot softer. I drove a 20yr old
SVO model 2 weeks ago, and they felt softer, even being leather.

VF

You need to chill. If you have an LSD and MT there are a few extra
clutches that do their thing autromatically. If you ''surge'' while
engine braking (down hill especially) either switch to a higher gear
and/or apply a slight amount of foot braking. The Subes forte` is not
slowing down or parking. It is driving really fast around corners and
in dirt.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

You mentioned too low a tire pressure and the tires might come off
the rims. I'm not into Rallying yet.) but think the pressurew ould
have to be mighty low. With my FWD mid sized Chevy I usally run 30 in
the fronts and 20+ in the rear that had bigger tires. One has a very
slow leak and noiced it was low after a good bit of highway driving,
Had about 10lbs in it. the inside wall of the tires are cracked from
age, but I don't really worry about it since to me that isn't the
strength or air holding ability of a tire. the fabric and inner rubber
liner are. My dad had a thing about not parking in puddles, be he went
back to cotton corded tube type tires, when you didn't plug the
carcass, and the thinking was that water could get into the puncture
hole and rot the cotton and cause a blowout. I started driving on
nylon corded tubeless tires. I never had a tire problem. Drove 400mi
after pulling a roofing nail out of puncture sealing tires. Had to add
5lbs total before it completely sealed.

Just wondering how low or high I could go with the Sube and not wear
centers or edge tread. I always go by the Look of the tire, an then
the ride, and never saw uneven wear. Might have to add a few bags of
sand to the back, but then they'd want me to up the rear pressure.((

VF

For 'normal' driving it is of course less critical. But a hi-G turn
vectors a lot of force onto the outside wheels. I've seen several photos
of cars at autox with an inner tire off the ground. That means 3 tires
are supporting the car and much of that force in on the outer rim of the
outer wheels. For most of us, most of the time, you could run 10-15 lbs
I guess and just sacrifice tires to uneven wear, increased likelihood of
a bent rim going into a pothole, and fuel mileage to increased 'rolling
resistance'. But in a soob, it should be more like 12 in the front and
11 in the rear!

;^)

Another reason to pay close attention to your tires on a NEW car is the
possibility that the wheel alignment, 'as delivered' is incorrect. Ford
had (I dunno about now ???) a policy of doing a free, 'warranty'
alignment but only in the first 3K miles. You;d have to feel 'pulling'
or notice uneven tire wear pretty early to get that comp-ed.
(maybe you feel some pulling in your new soob? nudge-nudge, wink-wink!)

Just watch for uneven wear and stay near the recommended pressures. BUT,
keep the front/rear ratio very close.

Carl

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

You need to chill. If you have an LSD and MT there are a few extra
clutches that do their thing autromatically. If you ''surge'' while
engine braking (down hill especially) either switch to a higher gear
and/or apply a slight amount of foot braking. The Subes forte` is not
slowing down or parking. It is driving really fast around corners and
in dirt.

I agree here. It IS a shame that the seats/ride seem uncomfortable to
him though. It is so hard to buy a car that you spend a lot of time in
after a 15 minute test drive. And renting a soob, at least where I live,
to drive for a weekend is nearly impossible.
I'd like to point out that many smaller 'sporty' cars would likely give
him the same discomfort.

Carl

 

[David]

I agree here. It IS a shame that the seats/ride seem uncomfortable to
him though. It is so hard to buy a car that you spend a lot of time in
after a 15 minute test drive. And renting a soob, at least where I live,
to drive for a weekend is nearly impossible.
I'd like to point out that many smaller 'sporty' cars would likely give
him the same discomfort.

Carl

There are very nice aftermarket cushions.

 

[houndman]

For 'normal' driving it is of course less critical. But a hi-G turn
vectors a lot of force onto the outside wheels. I've seen several photos
of cars at autox with an inner tire off the ground. That means 3 tires
are supporting the car and much of that force in on the outer rim of the
outer wheels. For most of us, most of the time, you could run 10-15 lbs
I guess and just sacrifice tires to uneven wear, increased likelihood of
a bent rim going into a pothole, and fuel mileage to increased 'rolling
resistance'. But in a soob, it should be more like 12 in the front and
11 in the rear!

;^)

Another reason to pay close attention to your tires on a NEW car is the
possibility that the wheel alignment, 'as delivered' is incorrect. Ford
had (I dunno about now ???) a policy of doing a free, 'warranty'
alignment but only in the first 3K miles. You;d have to feel 'pulling'
or notice uneven tire wear pretty early to get that comp-ed.
(maybe you feel some pulling in your new soob? nudge-nudge, wink-wink!)

Just watch for uneven wear and stay near the recommended pressures. BUT,
keep the front/rear ratio very close.

Carl

on your concerns, I dropped the front tire pressure down to 30 and
left the rears at 25. The ride improved some. Maybe the car is
loosening up since the responce to some things isn't what I would
expect. There was a noise from the right side front door area when
hitting certain bumps, and that has gone away.

I think the allignment would have to be pretty far off to see it soon
on new tires. I don't feel anything that seems off, but then I may
have to learn what it feels like on an AWD. Logged 100mi yesterday,
to find a Dairy Queen that had the best breaded fried mushrooms I
ever ate. They had closed 3 yrs ago. I hadn't been to the area in Many
years. Driving the interstate the traffic was heavy and fast. Took a
few curves at 70 & 80 mph, and it got my hair starting to stand. What
with the tire pressure issue, and learning how the car feels in turns.
The cross section shape of the steering wheel rim is taking some time
to get used to, and it feels a bit slick, and a bit harder to pull on
for the firmness of the power assist. I continue to be amazed at how
quick the steering is, and how tight a U turn the car will make. I
didn't think it would be that good according to the #'s. Maybe the
ratio is faster, making it harder to turn than I am used to but cut
faster.

I found the load cap. of the tires, and that is 1290 lbs ea. Should
be more than enough.)


VF

 

[houndman]

I agree here. It IS a shame that the seats/ride seem uncomfortable to
him though. It is so hard to buy a car that you spend a lot of time in
after a 15 minute test drive. And renting a soob, at least where I live,
to drive for a weekend is nearly impossible.
I'd like to point out that many smaller 'sporty' cars would likely give
him the same discomfort.

Carl

with my injuries and muscle damage problems, just riding in most cars
for any distance will beat me up and fatigue me. Driving the WRX would
Never work for me, and the 2.5i seemed tolerable, though my 86'
Celebrity was like siting in an easy chair when I got back in it.
Since I plan to change the seats that aren't as firm and fit better, I
figure that would help. I check car shows where they test, and look at
the driver sitting on the seat, and how long the seat bottom is.

I didn't see the problems I am having in test drives. One was in the
city, and another 2 in the suburbs. Maybe the weather had something to
do, since I'm starting to think that the AC on might affect low speed
smoothness and surging. If that is the case I can shut it for short
roads that feel real choppy. Ah... on most tests I had a passenger.
Maybe the extra weight helped the ride.

Anyway, don't let it be said that I give up, or don't work on making
things the way I want them.)) I am staring at the Mustang seats I Hope
will fit. Reminds me. I Should measure them, but the cars are about
the same size inside. I am rarely satisfied with things if I want them
a certain way. I am always saying, why don't they make things
different, or the way I would like. When they are, they are Much more
satisfying.

VF

 

[David]

I am rarely satisfied with things if I want them
a certain way. I am always saying, why don't they make things
different, or the way I would like.

You don't say...

 

[houndman]

You don't say...

yep I do, and changing them, or starting from scratch.

 

[KLS]

yep I do, and changing them, or starting from scratch.

You clearly have nothing and/or no one else to occupy your time, based
on the frequent, extensive, and exhaustive posts you make here that
detail the work and the trips you have invested in this car. Which is
fine, but unusual.

 

[David]

yep I do, and changing them, or starting from scratch.

I pay people to do that for me.

 

[houndman]

I pay people to do that for me.

I tried that, when too busy, and Always had to redo things the Right
way, or how I would do them, and pay for it. I am rarely happy with
the way others do things, even people I believe are good. Let a guy
grease the door hinges on a car, and he sprayed the whole hinge. Not
sure if any got into the joint.

The Sube had a roughness in the idle. I have read that Boxer motors
are that way, like All 4cyls are said to be. Reminded me of a 4cyl I
had that idled smoothly but developed a roughness at 40K mi so I tuned
it up and it still was rough. Asked a mechanic friend, who had a 4cyl
MG, and he said to bring it over. He said I probably didn't set the
points right. I told him I did, then he said, 4cyls weren't as smooth
as 6's or 8's. I told him Mine was. I convinced him it was, and he
started looking. Checked the point gap saying, I probably didn't set
it right, but I did. Had an idea and started opeing up the gap, .001
at a time. went from .025, to 26, 27, 28, and when he got to 29, the
motor purred, which surprized him. When I asked why, he said the parts
are wearing, so the settings will change, but Everyone Knows 4cyls
aren't smooth, Even Him... The Sube seems smoother. Maybe it was the
gas or breaking it in, or maybe when the AC is on.

When an old car started using a Lot of oil when I started to drive it
on a highway daily, I thought the rings might be stuck, from age and
PCV valves sucking in and burning oil vapors, so tried some crancase
flush down the carb to get it into the rings, and clean them if gummed
and stuck. Consumption gradually improved, from 30mi /qt to 550. When
I told my friend, he said he has done that, But pulled each plug and
squirted the solvent in each hole. I poured it down the carb, pulled
the coil wire and cranked the motor over to suck it into the cyls.

Last week I saw a guy at Pep Boys who I hadn't seen in years, adding
a few qts of oil to his work truck. I started to tell him to try it,
but he told me he had been working near a shop with antique cars, and
asked about his oil buring, and said the guy did something similar,
but it was coming back. I told him the shop Knew their stuff, and it
will need to be done again, every so often, and how to do it himself.
Funny, I saw a mechanic today in the diner, who people say is Good,
and he had
told me, what I did, was get Oil in the rings and create a seal. I
used Flush and it would last for 500mi. I wouldn't go to him. He would
want to rebuild the motor, like a mechanic told a friend when his oil
light stayed on and the motor had a knock. Wanted 1600$. My friend was
driving the car to work for 3 mo, and 120mi to a casino once a week.
I Had to see That one. Turned out his oil sending unit was plugged,
and the bearing
on the idler pulley on his timing belt was bad and knocking. Not worth
1600$.

VF

 

[David]

The Sube had a roughness in the idle. I have read that Boxer motors
are that way, like All 4cyls are said to be.

The boxer motor is inherently balanced and runs very smoothly. If you
have one that shakes, it's broken.

I don't think you trust technology you can't understand. You lack
faith. You will never be happy.

http://www.subaru.com/sub/misc/coretech/index.html?from=topNav

 

[houndman]

The boxer motor is inherently balanced and runs very smoothly. If you
have one that shakes, it's broken.

I don't think you trust technology you can't understand. You lack
faith. You will never be happy.

http://www.subaru.com/sub/misc/coretech/index.html?from=topNav

why did I read that boxers shake? Guess they didn't know the beast.

No, I am All for technology, but Not to fix an invented problem, that
isn't the advantage it is said to be. I wouldn't be comfortable flying
a plane that is unstable, and needs a computer to fly. If the computer
quits or malfunctions, Syanora. The Stealth planes need them, but no
one told US that radars Can detect them. They are Supposed to be
nearly invisable. Wha Happen?? Someone got sold a bill of goods, and
someone made a bundle.

VF

 

[houndman]

I pay people to do that for me.

doen't look like my note posted. Shame, it was a good one

I like doing things myself, because no one will do them the way I
want, or the costs would be prohivitive. When I staretd building audio
speakers. I built the prototype, and because they were complicated,
and involved, cabinet shops wanted as much to build the cabinets, as I
wanted to sell the system for, so I made them myself. I was puzzled
when the stores owner said, "Can You Make Them ALL Look Like That"?
Ha?? Yea, I could match the wood grains, because I hand veneered them,
and Made them match.

Yea, they were Big and Complicated, and Everyone says you Don't need
size to reproduce bass, but It depends on what frequencies you want to
be able to hear. If I Ever get to build the house I want, it Won't
have a corner horn bass speaker, in the corner of the room, but a FULL
sized horn through the center of the house.

VF

 

[Todd H.]

why did I read that boxers shake? Guess they didn't know the beast.

No, I am All for technology, but Not to fix an invented problem, that
isn't the advantage it is said to be. I wouldn't be comfortable flying
a plane that is unstable, and needs a computer to fly. If the computer
quits or malfunctions, Syanora. The Stealth planes need them, but no
one told US that radars Can detect them. They are Supposed to be
nearly invisable. Wha Happen?? Someone got sold a bill of goods, and
someone made a bundle.

Yup.

Same could be said about first gen airbags.

 

[houndman]

Yup.

Same could be said about first gen airbags.

--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

 

[houndman]

Yup.

Same could be said about first gen airbags.

--
Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4
Chicago, Illinois USA- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

so do they have tha airbags Right now? Then All the horror stories
must be about the early ones. Now they have weight and distance
sensors, and god knows what else, but they don't help with an impact
speed of over 50mph, and will go off at very low speeds, making them
More dangerous. I still think I'll opt for a harness.

VF