My car was squirrely in the rear, especially noticed this on uneven traction surfaces. Half the car hits icy patch other half on dry, the car dances all over, and I'm counter-steering and when I hit all-dry again the car is pointing in a new direction. Causing me white knuckles at lame 60 km/h on streets where 80 is posted speed.

Last year, I thought this was due to suspension links, so smart me replaced all 8 in the rear and put new rear shocks in.... me thinks me so so smart, until it finally snows again this year and ice reappears. I'm still all over the place.. I had been planning on 4-wheel alignment after doing all the links and just got around to it today.

The problem was 1 inch of toe-in at the rear !! I think that works out to be a few hundred yards of sideways drag for every mile traveled. That could explain some tire wear I was getting back there.

Guy adjusted it down to a "fat" 1/8 inch compensating for the slightly more than normal camber (springs softening, but not too bad). WOW! what a difference. I go straight now. What a concept. And I probably get a boost in fuel economy.

We stopped at the rear alignment because guy pointed out that outer tie rod end in front (drivers side) needs replacement. I told him I'll do that and bring the car back when done in a couple weeks to do the front. Didn't charge me for the half-job, just put my job on the wall with the others and said they can wait.
Decent.

The other thing he did was raise tire pressure all around. I asked why, he said the factory F/R 29/35 thing (that I was being religious about) was for original equipment tires that were probably rated 35 max in 1987. These tires (Nokian Hakkapeliitta are excellent winters for this car) are rated at 55 max, so he upped the rear pressure to 40 and put 44 up front ("because this car is heavy"). Said if it's too hard back it off. It is harder but still OK for comfort. Pavement is not dry enough to play with hard cornering to see how the "reversal" of low / high pressure front to back changes the dynamics... I did notice the Nokians road contact patch was not "flat" looking to the road, it did look under-inflated, a bit concave in the middle of the tread. So I am going to leave it as set and pay attention. There are probably many opinions out there about "correct" pressure. We'll see.

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Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D