car tried to fly

[WYOSVX]

Yesterday, drove my SVX faster than I have ever- have only had it a few months. It was a straightaway and there were high winds (30 mph wind?) coming from the driver's side. At a certain high speed, I started to feel the car lifting and, it seemed, pushed sideways by the wind. I let off the gas and she settled back down. It felt like she was about to take off. It wouldn't have been pretty. I pictured total loss of control if the front lifted much more because I think it would have looked like oversteer. Then it would have looked like a cloud of dust and glass and body panels. Weird feeling.

Question is: could that have been anything but the wind? Could worn out struts do that? She only has 72K miles.

[RojoRocket]

Not unusual to get the lift you describe at higher speeds, with such strong cross-wind getting under the car. The lift could be exaggerated further by worn, floaty struts, and 72K is only one wear factor, others being level of use, heat cycles, and age. I would consider Koni upgrade at this stage. Lifetime warranty to original owner too!

Glenn

[bheinen74]

Check to see you have the front underbelly plastic shields under the front.

If not, then you could be building up-pressure under the hood, causing lift.

Also there are many splash shields front fenders, rear quarter panels, etc. If you are missing them you need to go buy them and install.

[Conn SVX]

Or keep it under 120MPH

[SVX92-97]

Ive gone 125mph in my prior svxs and never felt that feeling.

[LetItSnow]

I've never seen 115mph in an SVX for a series of minutes.

I've never experienced lifty, floaty sensations in an SVX.

It's fun to watch minutes fly off your ETA on a GPS.

Choose two as true.

[Conn SVX]

I did 120+ in the flat lands of Kansas and the car actually seemed to sink down a little.

[WYOSVX]

So... Koni's, panels, and a lighter touch on the pedal. I definitely have the wheel well plastic but haven't been under the car yet.

Anyone know, off hand, where I can see a sketch of what panels should be underbody?

I had it at 10mph less than that speed before and it did seem to lower rather than lift. Wish I could say it was 120 but not quite.

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

1)I've never seen 115mph in an SVX for a series of minutes.LIAR!

2)I've never experienced lifty, floaty sensations in an SVX.

3)It's fun to watch minutes fly off your ETA on a GPS.

Choose two as true.

OH, OH, 2&3!!!!!
What do I win?!

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

OH, OH, 2&3!!!!!
What do I win?!

If that is true, and it may or may not be you would win... what else?

(click for bigger y0)

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by bheinen74

Check to see you have the front underbelly plastic shields under the front.

If not, then you could be building up-pressure under the hood, causing lift.

Also there are many splash shields front fenders, rear quarter panels, etc. If you are missing them you need to go buy them and install.

OK, You have a 3580# car with less than 6" of road clearance, and, because you lose a plastic under tray, drop from a .29Cd to say, a .30Cd, and this causes it to wander?!
What about alignment, or tire pressure, or tire wear?

[WYOSVX]

I hadn't thought about alignment; it is slightly off. Might be part of the problem. Good point. Tires are brand spankin' new- Continental DWS Extreme which are proving to be very nice in our recent snow storm- on BBS STi wheels- also new condition.

I don't know enough about the underbody plastic but can see how that might affect road hugging, not so much resistance (Cd), if it's made to suck the car down to the road.

I really think that the main culprit is the wind. Might have something to do with struts. I'm really just gonna use the strut issue as a rationalization to go get the Konis just cuz I want them anyway. Gotta have a reason and maybe we made one up.

Gotta do the alignment too, anyway. And check the plastic just cuz it'll be nice to get under the car already. Do standard ramps work on these or do they need a longer run? Anyone know?

And yes, you do win a prize, SVXfiles! You get to choose from what's behind door one, two or three. What'll it be? The clock's ticking...

[RallyBob]

Don't underestimate the effects of the wind.

About 12 years ago at the Mt. Washington hillclimb, one of the 'new' drivers experienced a 50 mph side wind with a slight updraft during his first practice run. He was doing about 65 mph at the time. His car went up onto two wheels, and almost went over the edge.

He parked the car, and left for home that day without taking another run.

[SVX_MY_BABY]

I've noticed the feel of the car changes between 210 215 kph. It seems a little lighter. Doesn't feel totally stable.

[92snowmachine]

the svx seems pretty good in the wind compared to other cars. we came back from the mountains this weekend through a huge windstorm. it seemed a little gusty every now and then but when we got home the news had coverage of downed trees, power lines, crushed cars, and houses with no roof. all of this very close to the area we drove through. my sister in law who was driving back the same way in a truck said the ride was frightening.