Suspension & Brakes Theory, alignment, spring rates....

my car handles like I have 4 flat tires

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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 08:19 AM
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LSVTEC96HB's Avatar
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From: Chuck. Norris.
Default my car handles like I have 4 flat tires

Ok, here's my setup: 1991 Wagon 2wd, Tein springs Tokico HP struts, SP 1.5* front camber kit, washer fix for rear, Integra front hubs, stock rear trailing arms, full Energy Suspension bushing set. I have 17" rims with brand new tires. I recently had it aligned and I have tried anywhere between 34 and 42psi in the tires, and different combinations of tire pressure front to back. My car handles like ***, to the point where it feels dangerous. I am frustrated to the point where I want to get rid of this car. It feels like the tires are flat or have a huge amount of sidewall flex. The steering is not responsive at all and it's a handful to drive at highway speeds. I did a string alignment check on a level garage floor to see if the toe in was just way off but it looks good. What else could be causing this?
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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 08:32 AM
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umop-apisdn's Avatar
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Default Re: my car handles like I have 4 flat tires (LSVTEC96HB)

Get some swaybars perhaps?
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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 08:47 AM
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From: Chuck. Norris.
Default Re: my car handles like I have 4 flat tires (umop-apisdn)

It has a swaybar on the front, but not on the rear. Body roll is not a problem, its steering response and grip.
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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 10:26 AM
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Default Re: my car handles like I have 4 flat tires (LSVTEC96HB)

if it really feels like a flat tire, then something is very loose or broken. Jack your car up and see if there is any play in the wheels. Pull and push the very top of the tire in and out (it should not move). Also try to push the tires in the direction of the front bumper (it should not move that way either).
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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 07:23 PM
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Targa250R's Avatar
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Default Re: my car handles like I have 4 flat tires (LSVTEC96HB)

Alignment specs?

Current pictures to give us an idea?
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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 08:24 PM
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Sounds like a bad hub bearing, get it checked asap homie
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 03:27 PM
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From: Chuck. Norris.
Default Re: (bigwally9876)

Everything is tight except for the passenger side tie rod end. It has a slight amount of play, apparently from 200k+mi of wear and tear. I hope that's all it is. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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Old Mar 4, 2008 | 04:04 PM
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From: Chuck. Norris.
Default Re: (LSVTEC96HB)

Ok, I replaced both outer tie rod ends and got an alignment done. The toe was all over the place, and the caster was way off in front. They couldn't fix everything, but they did what they could. It is a lot better but it is still wallowy in transitions. I suspect part of it may be the tires. I went cheap since I was planning to get rid of the wheels soon. It may also be due the stock sway bar. I do have ES master bushing kit installed. I did not replace the main rear trailing arm bushings, and they look really bad.
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Old Mar 4, 2008 | 05:08 PM
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if you have the tein s techs then right there your problem. them springs suck ***. ive had them, and i absolutely hated them.
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 04:31 PM
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since, it sounds like it started to happen right after after you got your cheaper tires. Maybe none of your wheels are balanced?
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Old Mar 7, 2008 | 11:39 PM
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Elwuudz's Avatar
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Default Re: my car handles like I have 4 flat tires (LSVTEC96HB)

get new tires
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