Hello, great forum here, I’ve been lurking for several weeks and have found lots of good information. I purchased my ‘08 G35 Journey back in November and have been very satisfied. Lately I have notice that at highway speeds when I drive over a rough patch of pavement that the rear wheels feel as though they are bouncing excessively and the rear end tends to slid side ways, kind of a half fishtail. This event happens very quickly and the car corrects itself as soon as I reach smooth pavement. Is this a normal handling characteristic of this car or is it something that the dealership needs to look at. I’ve done numerous searches and cannot find any info on this. I'm considering some suspension upgrades, but want to make sure I don't have a problem. This is my first performance vehicle, my previous rides have been SUVs and trucks. I appreciate any input.

 

Welcome to the forums. It could just be that one spot on that one road. Does it happen anywhere else?

 

It's probably just the road as Terry said, but just to be safe check it out at the dealer before you do any suspension mods so they can't blame the mods.

 

what is your tire pressure?
Are the stock tires on the vehicle?
Do you have stock rims?

 

Yeah it very well ciould be your tire pressure too high. Maybe due to the warmer weather. Few psi could make a huge different.

 

This issue happens on just about any rough pavement. The car as it stands is stock, but I just had the oil changed last week by the dealership and I checked the tire pressure on Friday and all tires were at 35 psi, normal as I recall is 33 psi. I'll try PeterUbers and tg1234's recommendation and lower the tire pressure to the factory recommendations. Thanks for the quick response.

 

it's normal IMO. happens all the time. car will slide a tiny bit for a split second. passengers usually don't feel the "slide" since it's almost unnoticeable. Sometimes the "slip" light will flash once. Its probably because the suspension is relatively stiff (at least compared to SUVs and other cars you drove).

 

I lowered the tire pressure to 33 pis and drove back to Ft. Worth from San Antonio today and that seemed to improve the handling issue. The rear end still dances a little but not as pronounced. I think "Q8y_drifter" is correct, this is just the nature of the cars suspension and I'll just have to get used to it. I'm looking into some suspension mods, bigger sway bars, coil overs, better tires, may not remedy this issue, but at least the car will handle better. Thanks again.

 

Before my G I was driving an Audi S3, which was 4wd and I had the suspensions, ARBS, Control arms, bushes etc.. all upgraded. As soon as I started to drive the G I'd get the same feeling as you're describing, as if it's slightly fishtailing when going over rough patches "at high speeds". I think this is normal for the car as it's stock, but I do believe suspension or spring upgrades would help out in that area. I've just recently upgraded my ARBs and they have helped slightly but I believe springs would do a better job. But no need to worry it's normal, and what car did you drive before you got the G?

 

My previous car was a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. I decided that I wanted more performance and nicer so I looked at the CTS, the TL and believe or not the G35 was the last on my list, until I drove it and fell in love. I also have a 2000 F150 so as you can see I'm new to cars in this league. I’ve learned a lot from this forum and I’m using this information when considering which mods I perform on my car, I’m a research junkie. I appreciate all the responses, this is one of the better forums, everybody’s very helpful.

 

Lately I have been noticing an odd sensation with the steering on my car. It feels like its extremely light at freeway speeds. I also played around with the tire pressures using 32 to 37 psi all around. Settled for 33 psi but the car tends to wander side to side a tiny bit and fast lane changes are an adventure exhibiting a little of the fishtailing sensation. I can't tell if its related to rough pavement since the entire freeway system seems to be rough pavement nowadays. I took it in to the dealer and hopefully they can find the source. The loaner G with goodyear 17"ers seems to drive solidly.

Maybe its the tires. FTWTX - what size and brand tires do you have?

 

^ maybe you just need wheel alignment

 

I wish it would be that simple. I already had the wheels aligned by a reputable shop and actually saw the tech set all available adjustments to the middle of the specs. All other non-adjustable specs were within normal limits.

 

Update on my "Handling Issue". I was experiencing a clunking noise coming from my right rear wheel and the handling started to deteriorate, so I took the car into the dealer and the right rear shock had given out. The shock was replaced and the car is back to normal.

I just ordered a Hotchkis Sway Bar Set today, so let the mods begin.

I running the OEMs, Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. I can't wait till these wear out so I can put something better on the car.

 

damn you've got a 08 G35 and the stock shocks had already given out? isn't that really quick?