How to get rid of "waggle" w/o sacrificing ride?

bcfromfl

Just purchased a '15 Nismo a week ago, and, in general, am very impressed with the suspension. However, is there an "easy" fix to moderate the lateral "waggle" like after you jerk the wheel back and forth quickly, and the front and rear floats a bit before returning to center? (Don't know if I'm describing this well.) I like the vertical spring travel and dampening...just not the horizontal looseness.

I watched the Z1 video about subframe collars, and that sounded interesting, although they seem more appropriate for squat and wheel hop.

BTW, the car does not have the front spring spacers.

Thanks!

Spooler

Get an alignment from a trusted shop and go from there.

Rusty

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Buzzkill247

and if that doesn't solve, then:
A) step up your front sway with a Hotchkis
B) start saving to upgrade your shocks/struts and springs - you will want adjustable dampening shocks and stiffer springs.
IIRC stock Nismo is a 22mm drop over stock 370z anyway. 1" is 25.4 mm. even Swift Spec-R Springs are 1.25" lower than stock up front and 1" in rear. Upgrading to dampening adjustable shocks will give you the ability to firm up your ride
C) check your control arm and trailing arm bushings - they may be shot and need a replacement/upgrade to polyurethane of a stiffer quality. Depending on how hard you drive, you may have pushed these past useful realm already
D) depending on age and mileage, may even want to check body bushings for same

My touring model doesn't float that much on hard snaps, but I also only have 15k on it, so .... there's that. Are you talking track speed sway or DD snap sway?

my .02 - i very well may be full of total shiite and no clue what I am talking about either

bcfromfl

Thanks for the suggestions. I should have added that the car only has 2,300 miles, so, no wear...and it's probably still in OEM alignment spec (although I haven't checked). The car was mostly garaged for most of its life, and hardly driven.

The expense notwithstanding, I would have concerns that upgrading struts/springs would degrade ride quality, which I don't want to do.

Rusty

Check your alignment and your tire air pressure. Should be around 35 psi front and rear.

And that waggle could be you in the seat moving back and forth when you jerk the steering wheel.

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Buzzkill247

ok... so now we look at a potential of air pressure, as noted above, and tire rot. Also, balancing.

That low mileage of a car can still be affected by age. Given that you mentioned extensive storage, to could have air or flat spot issues. Also, bushings can be affected by time - not being used, they can actually harden and then split later under usage.

Rusty

2015 with 2,300, garage kept. I don't believe so.

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bcfromfl

The previous owner was a collector with stupid money, and finally decided to trade it in along with a Prowler and a motorcycle for a turbo Giulia. The car also came with a protective clear wrap over the front half of the car -- I was happy about that!

I've had the car up to 110, and no vibration, so I don't think there are balancing issues. I'll check the pressure -- so, the tire pressure monitoring has a bit of slop in terms of precision?

I'm 6'1'' and 195 pounds, and the Recaro seats fit me like a glove. What I'm noting is an unexpected, but slight, lateral motion when snapping the wheel...both front and back. I'm fairly certain that this is considered "normal" and how Nissan tuned the suspension, but I'd like to minimize it as best (and cost-effectively) as possible.

Thanks again for your suggestions! Much appreciated!

bcfromfl

I just came in from the garage, and added 4-5psi to each tire. I'll take it for a drive tomorrow and see if that fixes the issue. I guess I was trusting the electronic monitoring system too much!!

Our 2016 Mazda3 has to be right on-the-money in tire pressure or the light will activate.

Rusty

There is no cost-effectively solution if you want zero slop. You throw the whole SPL catalog at it. Otherwise learn to live with it.

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SouthArk370Z

I haven't seen any reports of inaccurate TPMS readings but the warning came on way too late for my taste (actual figure should be in FSM, if you're curious) in my 2009. I could feel the car getting "loose" before I got a dash light.

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Buzzkill247

If it is climate controlled garage, suppose you are right

Buzzkill247

TPMS generally (in my humble experience) triggers at about 27-28. depending on rims and tires you run this can leave a significant gap. at stock, that a 22% drop! for 19" tires with low side wall, that can feel like a pea under a mattress to a princess. which, at 4-5 lbs add you just did, you will feel that. so you may have found your cheap fix!

edit - just saw you are in FL too. with the significant cold recently and now starting to warm, not uncommon to experience pressure wibbly-wobbly. On new years, my TPMS went off out of the blue because it was 50 degrees out for a few days. Month later, had to let out 2lbs of air. Due this weekend again to check with temps hitting the 80s now. Considering a nitrogen fill to lessen the flux

bcfromfl

Thanks everyone for the helpful posts! I'm enjoying being part of this community, and learning good things about the Z!

I guess I'm going to have to find a better pressure gauge -- the one I have takes several tries to get an accurate reading. Hard to get it perfectly perpendicular to the valve stem...

I hope changing temps outside won't give me fits! I'm going to have to keep this car outside underneath a cover, which should be here in a few days.