T Sport Handling Problem Help

[powerslave]

Hi

Ive had my 2004 Celica T Sport for a few months now and the handling just doesnt feel right from the front wheels.

Its hard to explain but its like a slight vibration in my arms when driving but not really any visible signs of steering wheel vibration.

Having previously owned an mg zr which had great handling and reading multiple reviews of the celica stating its one of the best

handling fwd cars around it just feels "disconnected" from the road and is worse than the zr.

Previously to my ownership it had a buckled front wheel which was replaced with 4 new 17" alloys and tyres.

The tyres were new but i expect they are budget tyres.

I'm just looking for a few heads up for likely problems before i take it to a garage to be looked at properly.

Ive got a feeling its some kind of suspension damage from whatever caused the original wheel to get buckled.

Does it sound like an expensive problem to get fixed?

I love this car but i dont feel like i'm getting the most out of it.

Thanks

[marty32]

what type of tyres are on the front? if they are budget then that may be your problem, theres a couple of recent threads on here regards to tyres and whats good and what to avoid

might be worth getting your wheel balance checked as a starting point, one of my wheels was gave a 5 reading on the wheel balance check, that was enough to make if feel like S*** to drive.

one of your tyres might have gone out of shape even, something ive learned in past week or 2 budget tyres arent fit for the job and dont last

[sjrainsford]

Yeah, you may want to get a suspension alignment check if it had a buckled wheel.

They do handle quite well, not least because of their weight. I previously owned a BMW mini which are renowned for their good handling - and having give my T sport some stick can honestly say it's not far off the mini at all.

Also, as daft as it sounds make sure the tyre pressures are correct - if they're over inflated it will just aid the front wheels in understeering much easier.