OK, this might be a little long. :D
Bought my car a couple years ago (98 Sentra SE) 5 speed. The problem I am having is with the front suspension. I know wheel-hop is a bitch in this car, but in mine its a complete and utter nightmare. I'm not completely sure how to get rid of it. I think I'm going to replace all the motor mounts with new ones and ES inserts when it warms up to hopefully help remedy some of the problem.

Another problem, that i have no idea of how to fix is front end sliding. If i accelerate fairly hard around a curve or moderate curve the tires break traction and the front end of the car just slides in the direction opposite of the way you are trying to go.
I have driven many other cars in the same fashion and they dont perform like this. It is kinda annoying, especially when it rains and even more serious when it snows. The last time it snowed i hit a curve in my parking lot going 5 mph, because the front end wanted to slide to the right when i was turning left. The turn is a little sloped too.

I initially thought this problem may have been caused by a bent control arm. But when i wrecked my car, it bent the right control arm and they put a brand new one on, along with a strut and ball joint. Also the alignment is perfect.
Maybe an N-Tech chassis brace would help with this problem.
Has anyone installed this besides Mike Kojima.

Any responses or advice would be greatly appreciated.


thanx
dan

Sounds like you're trying to drive your car too hard in bad conditions. FWD cars will understeer when pushed beyond the limits. As far as wheelhop goes, ever heard of launching a little lower on the RPM guage? You're launching your car too hard it sounds like, which is what gets you that "beautiful" wheelhop.

Sounds to me like the driver might be the problem in this situation. Don't drive her so hard and she'll be nice. ;)

what kind of tires do you have? I've take some sharp turns at 40-60 mph and never slide. I don't have any suspension mods at all. just Bridgestone Potenza RE910. wet traction is great too as long as you aren't in a puddle. last night I was going 80mph when I hit a puddle, I drifted to the left a bit, that's all.

Originally posted by dan7225
I know wheel-hop is a bitch in this car, but in mine its a complete and utter nightmare. I'm not completely sure how to get rid of it. I think I'm going to replace all the motor mounts with new ones and ES inserts when it warms up to hopefully help remedy some of the problem.
If you're using the ES inserts, you don't need new mounts. Just put the ES inserts into your old mounts. Do the control arm bushings also.

Another problem, that i have no idea of how to fix is front end sliding. If i accelerate fairly hard around a curve or moderate curve the tires break traction and the front end of the car just slides in the direction opposite of the way you are trying to go.
You can work on your car and your driving skills to help here.
You're trying to make the front tires turn AND accelerate the car at the same time, which requires a lot of grip. Ease off the accelerator until you are coming out of the turn.
Better tires, a rear sway bar, and a LSD would help, too.

that's just the thing. i'm not driving it that hard. the front end wants to "slide" when i'm going slow as well. i know most of the problem is in fact driving hard and breaking traction while going around curves. it just seems that the car should be able to handle more than it does. when i bought the car it had new dunlop sp5000 (205/50/15 z-rated). i thought the tires were just too slick at first. now i have kumho ecsta 712 (v-rated). the car still handles similarly. i'm thinking that a stillen g-load brace and a front strut tower bar would satisfy my taste. (oh, and Con. Arm bushings as well)

as far as the wheel hop. my clutch sux big a** right now. i've "launched" the car maybe twice since i've owned it. my problem is when i take off firmly, just hard enough that it should bark the tires. it doesn't matter if its dry or rainy out, the front end will jump up and down so fiercely that i always avoid spinning the tires.

thanx
dan

I've found that if you give it more gas and get the tires spinning, they don't hop as much, lol.

I have that same problem, usually on dry pavement, but wet as well.

I'm confused as to how engine mounts stop your wheels from hopping...I'd naturally think hop would be a suspension issue. can anyone explain?

Originally posted by dan7225
that's just the thing. i'm not driving it that hard. the front end wants to "slide" when i'm going slow as well. i know most of the problem is in fact driving hard and breaking traction while going around curves. it just seems that the car should be able to handle more than it does.

Then we'll need your alignment specs. That is the next place to look.

you are absolutely right about wheel hop being a suspension problem. i just figured i would start at the motor mounts since i believe they are getting bad (when i give it lots of gas while in 5th gear the shifter moves a considerable amount).
www.sentra.net/project/scc-12-00.php? (http://www.sentra.net/project/scc-12-00.php?) middle

i just thought that maybe since all i could find wrong with the car is bad motor mounts, that the mounts could be contributing a small amount to wheel hop.

i also agree with SchmottySE-99, usually when i do get wheel hop it is mostly unintentional, therefore, it could mostly be just a problem with low RPM.

i'm not sure about the specs on the alignment, at a certain Nissan dealership here the guy that deals with the customers in the shop is kinda a butt-hole. I specifically remember asking him about the alignment specs, and he acted like he was looking for it and told me it was perfect. i should have asked for it on paper.

thanx again
dan

wow i have that problem now but thats cause i have crap tires. When I had my yoko avs sports my car handled scary!!! It took all the turning until I almost craped my pants, it has some mild suspension upgrades, gc coilovers, agx struts on 4 in front and 8 in rear, progress front and rear sway bars, 17"tenzos. the only problem was the tires would wear out in less than 5 months and it got expensive buying 215/40/17 tires every couple of months i now have some no name tires that suck and im sliding every where in high and low speeds.
So I'm convinced that tires make all the diffrence.