Few XR8 Q's

MGM · 02-05-2010, 06:22 PM

hey guys, i recently bought an au3 xr8 ute, which is sort of an upgrade, but not really. Just for work

ive got a few small problems with it but other than that its a good car.

Problems:
1. The steering wheel feels like driving a BA, as in the heavyness of turning, whereas my AU3 XR6 ute the steering is super light compared to this. is it normal for the XR8 to have heavier steering?

2. My brakes wernt working as good as i could remember my XR6 ones were before i changed to BA ones, so i took all the XR8 brakes off and got the discs machined, new pads all round and new fluid. I found that 2 guide pins in 2 callipers were siezed so it got them out and regreased them up and its made a huge difference. But i still have the problem that when im pulling up, almost stopped, the brake pedal pulses when the wheel is turned as if i was stopping on mud and the abs has kicked in, then the abs light comes on and only goes off if i turn the car off then on. I cleaned all abs sensors and no fix.

Could this be because of the wheel bearings need replacing as they are a bit noisy, but no play in them.? only happens when the wheel is turned i think.

3. ive searched around but didnt find the answer i was after.

Ive got a ticking sound when the car is on and its warm, coming from the passenger side underneath, ive popped the bonnet and its not the carbon canister in the engine bay. Almost sounds like where the abs unit sits, i think its the unit for that.

4. When going from no throttle to light throttle the car feels like its in the wrong gear for about 1-2 seconds and doesnt have responce, then kicks back and goes as normal, is that normal for an auto, as ive been driving a manual xr6 and more use to direct power, and being in the right gear.

Thanks in advance for any replys

b2tf · 02-05-2010, 07:50 PM

Congrats on the AU3 XR8, they are a good barrow - I still miss mine.

1) Without insulting you too much - if youre used to punting a 6 around then yes it is going to be different with a Wheezer up front. Just see how it goes for a while, check the power steering fluid because if that is even a bit low it will feel like driving a truck. This could also be tied in with problem 2 though - for both of these I would be giving it all a once over including bearings, and possibly replace the ABS sensor unless you can definitely rule it out - they dont have to look stuffed to be stuffed (if that makes sense). Brake specialist is the go here.

3) Is it a lifter? Listen closely to the rocker covers to see if it is in there.

4) It can be normal for an auto to do this to a point but it may pay to have it serviced as if the torque convertor is low on fluid it will be a bit dicky to change gears. Good practice to service the boxes reasonably regularly anyway.

Enjoy.

5.0 ED · 02-05-2010, 07:54 PM

the ticking sound as u said coming from under front left hand guide, just behind bumper would be the carbon canister solonoid, they only work when warmed up.

The ABS unit is mounted just behind the battery, towards the master cylinder side.

the V8 being slightly heavier will make the car heavier to steer, and the wheel alignment and type of wheels will also effect this.

Tyre pressures can cause the issue your talking about with abs, if they arnt all equal than one sensor will read faster than the others, which direction does it happen in, or is it both? It could also be bearing related like u said.

5.0 ED · 02-05-2010, 07:56 PM

oh as for auto that is normal, they take off in 2nd gear depending on conditions, i think they do it more in power mode from memory, anyway i think its done to stop wheelspin on launch but could be wrong.

MGM · 02-05-2010, 08:58 PM

thanks for the reply guys, i love how it sounds and goes. just some small issues i dont like.

as for power steering the res was a bit low so i topped it up and the old stuff stinks, like its burnt. not sure what used fluid is ment to smell like.

as for the ticking, its quite noticable standing about 1m away, i thought the carbon canister ticking was the thing under the bonnet, is the solenoid behind the wheel arch thing?

i looked under the bonnet while idling, only ticking is a slight tick when i put my head close to the rocker cover, cant really notice it standing away.

The abs happens when i turn both ways, i dont think its happened when stopping straight. do the brake places test my abs sensors to see if their stuffed?

also with the auto, i have to replace the bush and seal in the extension housing so the box could be low on oil. id like to put a trans cooler and shift kit on, only cause i think the transmission slips to much during changes, except 1-2. so if im towing it would heat up way quicker while changing? also the coolant tank is brown, but i think the coolant is pretty green, could it have a standard trans cooler?

b2tf · 02-05-2010, 10:11 PM

It wont have a trans cooler standard, it does have a power steering cooler standard though. Replace the coolant tank as they all go brown after a while - my 12 month old FG is starting to - not bloody happy about it but they all do it.

If youre only getting a slight tick from the engine area its nothing to worry about - its the injectors doing their normal thing.

I **think** it may actually spit out an error code if the ABS sensors are buggered but dont quote me on that as Im not 100% sure.

A trans cooler is a good idea though and you should be able to pick one up for under $200 from any good auto parts store, they are a fairly easy fit too.

5.0 ED · 03-05-2010, 04:18 PM

yeah it should spit an error code labeling the problem and which sensor is faulty.

The power steering fluid is a brown cooler in some trans, its not normal tranny fluid.

trans cooler always a good idea.

But yeah the carbon solonoid is under the guard, fords fix is to remove the cover and wrap a rag around it with electrical tape, it does quiet it down a little.

MGM · 03-05-2010, 07:03 PM

thats wierd that the coolant tank goes brown, my other au with 200,000+km is still clean as new.

i got under their tonight to check/top up the tranny, but the bolt is rounded so i can get the right sized socket on there to undo it. what can i do to get it off? i dont think the service place it use to get serviced at is any good, the car shouldnt have passed roady i think.

the auto did something a bit wierd this morning, pulling up to the lights it started getting rough at about 10km/h the still did it when it stopped, almost like a really rough idle, then i put it in neutral straight away and it was fine. i think the auto needs a good service.

when i get time il try the solenoid thing, see how that goes.

cedric · 03-05-2010, 07:36 PM

MY steering went really heavy when power steering pump went no noise or anything new one fixed it and very easy to replace

Windsor220 · 03-05-2010, 08:44 PM

The ticking is the fuel purge solenoid infront of the LHF wheel. Its behind the plastic gaurd. Really annoying and makes the car sound bunky. Mine is the same.

My car used to do the ABS thing all the time in carpark situations. But it doesnt do it anymore. I put it down to a dirty sensor. Either that or a dodgy wire/sensor.

**Peuty** · 03-05-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Congrats on the AU3 XR8, they are a good barrow - I still miss mine.

1) Without insulting you too much - if youre used to punting a 6 around then yes it is going to be different with a Wheezer up front.

The difference in engine weight doesn't really play a part. My XR8 feels way lighter to steer than my old mans XR6 VCT....so who knows.

MGM · 04-05-2010, 04:17 PM

can changing the fluid to new quality stuff make a difference?, the pump is a bit loud with the bonnet open.

im going to a friends auto electrics this week to have the ecu scanned to find out what codes are up.

BTW this is the new rig.

5.0 ED · 04-05-2010, 04:18 PM

Peuty - it does make a decent difference to the weight in the steering removing a 4litre and putting in a v8. I have done it to 3 cars and all of them were slightly heavier afterwards.

But steering weight is adjustable in the rack anyway, and that makes the biggest difference.

**Peuty** · 04-05-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5.0whiteaughia

Peuty - it does make a decent difference to the weight in the steering removing a 4litre and putting in a v8. I have done it to 3 cars and all of them were slightly heavier afterwards.

But steering weight is adjustable in the rack anyway, and that makes the biggest difference.

I understand the physics behind it, but from personal experience I feel it doesn't make that much of a difference, if at all.

wesomc · 04-05-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

I understand the physics behind it, but from personal experience I feel it doesn't make that much of a difference, if at all.

I'm with you, au's I have to drive for work vary alot and my new AUII XR8 ute is really light to steer also

5.0 ED · 09-05-2010, 12:32 AM

Once again though, the steering weight is adjustable on the rack and it depends how its set as to how heavy the steering is, also the V8 power steering pump i think is slightly higher pressure.