Loss of traction at rear

[sean37]

Hi guys
i have a 97 banana transit commercil lwb semi high top,that in the wet the other day round a roundabout let loose and the rear end came round and i ended up pointing the other way .
Thanfully i was the only one on the roundabout, i have good tread on the tyres and pressures i guess.

The back is usualy empty it does feel vague on the front i have to admit not on rails like some people mention theres are.

In the wet it now feels like it wants to step out /slide etc nothing loose or broken visable to be seen.

Has any one else experienced this with lwb un weighted ,and any solutions the tyres i wouldnt of thought as in make would of made that much of a difference what pressures should i be running .
sean

[Luke]

what make are the rear tyres and what make are the front tyres

[MinorMatt]

Unladen they can be pretty tail happy...

Also factor in the fact that its just started raining after a dry spell AND there could be diesel or similar on the road it would be very easy to get sideways / wrong way round very quickly.

If you are often unladen I would run a lower tyre pressure (what are you running at the moment?)

[Vee4]

Were you braking at the time? Just wondering, in case it was anything to do with the load sensing valve.

[birdy]

I would say you had a problem - in many years of Transit ownership i have never had a loose rear end quite the opposite i think transits are very good handling and sure footed ,maybe you did come across a diesel spillage if not it sounds like a good inspection of all rear end components is due .

[sean37]

Thanks for your repalys guys
Luke and minormat the tyres are ;Rear-hankook RA08 running 46psi

Fronts Federal running 43psi.All are 225/70 r15c

vee4 no mate wasnt braking at the time ,though later when doing 180 you could say i was.

Birdy take your point though every thing seems solid underneath will get it to a mate with a pit and have a better look.

[MinorMatt]

I think you dont want to go lower with those tyre pressures...

Investigate the LAV though. (its above the back axle and is connected to it with a spring) if that is siezed in the loaded position the smallest pressure through the brake pedal could lock the rear wheels

[Luke]

them tyres shouldnt be too bad - i run on whatever cheepy remolds ive got at the time and if i give it some welly the back will step out in the wet i'm talking about the mk4 the cossy van will do it in the dry but i've a good idea whats causing that

the problem with transits is to make a good van they need the engine forward to keep the weight off the back axle and if you look they are right over the front axle - so what makes a good load carrying vehicle doesnt make a good sports car

[WINDSCREENGUY]

diesel on the round about?

[manandvan]

i agree with diesel on the roundabout, first bit of rain and its lethal!!

[manandvan]

p.s. them tyre pressures are a bit high if your running empty most of the time??

[ginsambo]

Me too - fresh rain on diesel. I hit a wide roundabout in a Citroen Xantia a few years back at 30mph. Out of nowhere the back end gave up in a split second, too fast and random to even correct in time. That stuff is worse than ice.

Only other thing maybe to check is condition of your shocks?? If the van is bouncing around alot it might be helping it get air and loose traction?

[MinorMatt]

tyre pressures are fine!

Im assuming he is running 185 or 195 14s? I have my 225/70/15s in the mid 60s (on a 190) and even when its empty it will slide but only if provoked

[mr.sparkle]

mine slides all the time in the wet ......and i love it

[GBBiker]

I can't get mine to slide whatever I do

Just as well, not enough power in the old Di engine to drive out of a slide