No rear grip with AWD

[t3/t4eclipse]

Let me start out by saying thanks to anyone that can help me out and who is willing to read this long post. And by the way my car is awd.....The problem I have been ignoring for a while is my rear end sliding out when the road is even the least bit wet. You all might jump in and say "NEW tires" well my tires are cooper 215's and have at least 3/4 tread left. Whenever it is even the least bit wet on the road and I go around even the slightest turn it feels as though my rear end want s to kick out on me. In dry road conditions I can gun the hell outta my car around a turn but only when it is dry out. Im not saying I am gunning it around turns in the rain ..I can be going 35mph around a turn in the rain and it just feels like it wants to kick out. Today I was on a wide open road and it felt like it wanted to kick so I looked for cars saw none and decided just to give it a little more to see why it felt the way it did and sure enough it swung my rear almost all the way sideways . On the freeway when it rains I cant go more than 45mph in the slow lane or it feels like im on a slide out suicide mission. I replaced the rear knuckle bushings about 2 months ago because they were gone and I figured that was why it was sliding out but it only helped over bumps not on turns. Not to mention that driving in snow is 100% out of the question, my car couldnt stay on the road in snow when I first bought it to save its life.Remember AWD!!! What on earth could the problem be. I have AWD and sliding out in rain should not be a thought even in the back of my mind, especially at 35mph. Im not all that familar with awd and transfer cases ...Could that be my problem somewhere along the lines... Transfer case???? I have no idea.. If anyone has had this problem or is well educated in drivetrains please help me out. this problem is going to get me hurt sonner or later.

 

[gurrmanator]

did you change the suspension at all? sounds like you have bad weight transfer...what type of tire compound?you might have to go to a softer tire.around here when it rains the roads turn to grease.

 

[gsxeclipse102]

i don't know if i'm right but it sounds like either your center diff or viscious coupling is making the rear end kick out. I can't remember which 1 it is but my friends broke and the rear would hop and slide all over. Also maybe your rear sway bar is bad.

 

[jtmcinder]

Lift one front wheel off the ground and try to turn it (with car out of gear). If it won't turn, your VC is locked. Note: in case you have a rear VC, you must do this test on a front wheel. I am assuming the front diff is stock (open).

After replacing those busings in the rear knuckle, did you have the car re-aligned? Lots of rear toe-out will cause the symptoms you have described. If you lowered the car with out getting an alignment, you probably have lots of rear toe-out.

- Jtoby

 

[t3/t4eclipse]

I will do a check of these things and get back to you..Thanks for the few ideas.