FTO AUSTRALIA

Hey guys

I recently bought myself a 94 FTO GPX however it has a few issues, just wondering if you guys could offer any advice?

Problem 1: Whenever I break after hard acceleration the steering wheel shakes horribly. I have been told that this is probably due to warped brakes. If this is so, should I just look at replacing them with new stocks or should I go aftermarket, in which case what brands, costs etc?

Problem 2: The steering wheel also shakes when I'm traveling over 100km/h. Maybe a wheel balance or alignment? I've also been told the warped brakes could be causing the imbalance?

Problem 3: I don't think the drivers side door is sitting in place correctly, I think it is sitting maybe half a cm out, as such the car has let in a few drops of rain in all the rain we have had lately, any suggestions?

Haha, my poor beast, Any help you guys can give would be very much appreciated!!



Brendon

Ok 1. Yes they would be stuffed go aftermarket vented ans slotted a lot better.
2. They both can relate to the problem but see how it go's after you do the breaks.
3. The door can be moved in by lossening the latch on the door fram and pushing in a little bit. This may fix it but I am sertan some one will come along soon to conferm or give you a better way to do it.

Cool thanks
So aftermarket brakes are definitely the way to go? But are they a big step up in prices (I'm pretty strapped.. haha the joys of being a student) and what brands/models? (I'm pretty new to anything mechanical, although I've been doing car sound for a while.. haha)

DBA are good and low in price.
I will try and dig out some part numbers tomorrow for you.

Thanks mate, that'd be great!

Just to clarify and make sure we are all on the same page .. It is the actual rotors that Aza is mentioning .. Brakes usually just refers to pads ...

DBA are a great product ... But cost ..

RDA I think is the name, where they are the same product but cheaper ... I have RDA on my GSR/EVO and on the FTO ... Can't fault em ...

Looks like im just going to be confirming what has already being said, but seeing as ive had all of these issues, thought id confirm:

Problem 1: Definitely warped discs. Have had this issue on 3 different cars now and the FTO is renowned for having weak discs. Go the RDA slotted rotors if you are on a budget (theyll cost about $300 from memory) or if you want to spend a little more, go the DBA.

Problem 2: Im betting on a wheel balance here. If the wobble happens at certain speeds and is fine at others, this is what itll be. If it was the brakes, it'd be constant.

Problem 3: Youll need to fiddle with the adjustment. It mat be as simple as just moving the striker plate inwards (the bit bolted to the body that the latch clicks into). It is designed to have movement. If that doesnt give you joy, then you may also need to adjust the bolts holding on the door hinges, but try the striker plate first.

Oh and good luck

RDA they where the ones I was trying to think of lol.
I know some one would be on soon to put it a better way than I did

You dont have to replace the disc's, as long as there is sufficent meat left on them you can get them resurfaced. Cost about $40 per axle, the guys come to your car, all you have to do is jack it up and take the wheel off. The difference is amazing.

yep, that would work too, but the slotted rotors are worth the cost. Far better braking ability. If you hve to spend $80, spend the extra. Its worth it.

dstocks wrote: Problem 1: Definitely warped discs. Have had this issue on 3 different cars now and the FTO is renowned for having weak discs. Go the RDA slotted rotors if you are on a budget (theyll cost about $300 from memory) or if you want to spend a little more, go the DBA.

Problem 2: Im betting on a wheel balance here. If the wobble happens at certain speeds and is fine at others, this is what itll be. If it was the brakes, it'd be constant.

Problem 3: Youll need to fiddle with the adjustment. It mat be as simple as just moving the striker plate inwards (the bit bolted to the body that the latch clicks into). It is designed to have movement. If that doesnt give you joy, then you may also need to adjust the bolts holding on the door hinges, but try the striker plate first.

Thanks, this is really helpful
Any suggestions on where to get the brakes done or where/how to get them? I had a mechanic look at the brakes while he was doing my alternator when I got the car, and he said they couldn't be resurfaced as there wasn't enough meat left on them.

As for problem 3, i'll just have to trial and error it, although I'm a bit nervous mucking around with my door, hopefully it is an easy fix.

bass_twitch wrote:

dstocks wrote: Problem 1: Definitely warped discs. Have had this issue on 3 different cars now and the FTO is renowned for having weak discs. Go the RDA slotted rotors if you are on a budget (theyll cost about $300 from memory) or if you want to spend a little more, go the DBA.

Problem 2: Im betting on a wheel balance here. If the wobble happens at certain speeds and is fine at others, this is what itll be. If it was the brakes, it'd be constant.

Problem 3: Youll need to fiddle with the adjustment. It mat be as simple as just moving the striker plate inwards (the bit bolted to the body that the latch clicks into). It is designed to have movement. If that doesnt give you joy, then you may also need to adjust the bolts holding on the door hinges, but try the striker plate first.

Thanks, this is really helpful
Any suggestions on where to get the brakes done or where/how to get them? I had a mechanic look at the brakes while he was doing my alternator when I got the car, and he said they couldn't be resurfaced as there wasn't enough meat left on them.

As for problem 3, i'll just have to trial and error it, although I'm a bit nervous mucking around with my door, hopefully it is an easy fix.

Problem 3 is easy as pie. I did it on my old car.

Just a philip head screw driver undo the latch on your car and move it closer to your car and BOOM, done.
Not gonna promise that this won't let in any water though.

Cool, I will have a look at the door tonight, hopefully it is as easy as you all make it sound.. haha

Ok well Problem 3 is NOW FIXED! haha, I moved the plate and now it sits very nice and flush... now just problems 1 and 2 to fix... that and a few other ones, but only a few at a time! haha

bass_twitch wrote:Ok well Problem 3 is NOW FIXED! haha, I moved the plate and now it sits very nice and flush... now just problems 1 and 2 to fix... that and a few other ones, but only a few at a time! haha

Make sure you did it up real tight because it can come back preety easy with it constantly opening / shutting etc etc etc, if it comes out again just do it up tighter

Mine came out within like 2months lol