Question on 4ws

nickie-b · Post by **nickie-b** » Wed May 02, 2012 12:55 pm

I have a question to all prelude drivers.......... Basically I have as far as I can see, a fully working 4ws system. However whenever I go over a bump the back end feels like it wobbles?? Not sure if this is a 4ws side effect, a fault on my system or just a prelude trait?? So can anyone shed some light on this for me before I go and buy a 2ws subframe and links to stop this horrible feeling.

cheers

Nick

JayJay · Post by **JayJay** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:01 pm

Have you double checked that the rear wheels turn with the fronts? And that the 4WS light works?

Post by **Merlin** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:01 pm

It shouldn't wobble, be it 2WS or 4WS.

IMO first establish if your 4WS is working. The 4WS light should illuminate on postion II of the ignition and go out once the engine is started. Also angle your wing mirror at your rear wheels and slowly drive in as tight a turning circle as possible, you should see the rear wheels turn. Turning the steering wheel while the car is stationary may not work as the 4WS motor sometimes can't overcome the friction holding the rear wheels pointing forwards.

A wobbly rear could be worn bushes or as something as simple as the car needs a 4 wheel alignment. I know from experience that if the car needs an alignment it feels horrible and that the back end is all over the place.

nickie-b · Post by **nickie-b** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:11 pm

4ws definately works, rear wheels turn even when stationry, lights all work fine, I can hear the system kick in and out when switching ignition on. system works as it should.

To get a 4 wheel alignment I need a locking pin and a garage that can do it properly right?

Post by **Merlin** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:12 pm

nickie-b wrote: To get a 4 wheel alignment I need a locking pin and a garage that can do it properly right?

Yup

Post by **indigolemon** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:12 pm

Yup - speak to any garage you get to do it. If they don't know it needs a locking pin, go somewhere else!

nickie-b · Post by **nickie-b** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:22 pm

So has anyone compared 2ws with 4ws to see how they handle?? are they the same when driving??

Post by **indigolemon** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:25 pm

I'll let you answer this one Merlin

Post by **Merlin** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:28 pm

how did you know I was coming?

nickie-b wrote:So has anyone compared 2ws with 4ws to see how they handle?? are they the same when driving??

Its one of the two big Vs

That and 4th Vs 5th.

A lot of the time its down to personal preference of how the driver likes the feel of the car.

Im a champion of 4WS and without waffling on about it again, IMO what you loose in the slightly added weight you gain in improved handling. I regularly track both my 2WS 4G and 4WS 5G and untill very recently my 4WS 5G lapped quicker (not all down to 4WS though).

But..... if you have a faulty 4WS system that you cant seem to fix, get it swapped out as a faulty 4WS system can be dangerous.

Edit - I made this wee vid to show the difference in gearboxes of my two Ludes, but I suppose it can show the difference / lack of difference between 2WS and 4WS.

[youtube]AKkKJzKKKEQ[/youtube]
Im going to make this vid again as my 4G is a lot better since this was made.

Post by **4thgenphil** » Wed May 02, 2012 1:33 pm

nickie-b wrote:So has anyone compared 2ws with 4ws to see how they handle?? are they the same when driving??

personally on the road driving like a human 4ws rocks out with its gentleman's sausage out! its a nice thing to have!
when really and i mean really pushing it, i personally (and this is what it come down to) didnt like the feel of the arse end moving around. this may have been all in my head mind, so for a confidence thing i removed mine!