british-cars
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: suspension adjustments?

To: hoosier!racers@cs
Subject: Re: suspension adjustments?
From: George.Emery@p42.f4.n105.z1.FIDONET.ORG (George Emery)
Date: Wed, 06 Dec 89 11:45:22 PST
  
 > Do I start with making the
 > weight equal on all four corners, then toe, camber, and tire pressure?

First do a general wheel alignment to the specifications you feel would
be appropriate.

Make the weight equal on all four corners.  Remember to have yourself in
the driver seat with full gear and the car's fluids to race levels.  When
jacking weight, realize that the diagonals are fixed, acting as a fulcrum:
if you're tightening the left front spring, then the right rear will become
heavier -- the other two wheels will remain the same.

I'd set tire pressure next.  A super light car like the Seven isn't going
to need much tire pressure and you'll probably want a little more in the
front than the rears even though you've equalized the weight (use the brakes
while turning and the reason becomes evident).

Once you have an idea of how the car is handling with the proper tire pressure,
then go ahead and play with the other variables.

 > What home set up can I use to weigh each corner [...] ?

One of the cheapest set-ups I've seen was a large crowbar (or handtruck) with
wheels and a 1/2" drive socket welded to the handle.  Get one of the dial-type
torque wrenches, stick it in the socket, and lift the car until the tire
just clears the ground.  Read the dial on the wrench.

Since you don't really care what the overall weight of the car is when you're
jacking weight, then all you need is the differential between each wheel.
A few preliminary calculations will tell you how long of a crowbar you need.
--  
George Emery - via FidoNet node 1:105/14
            UUCP: ...!{uunet!oresoft, tektronix!reed}!busker!4.42!George.Emery
            ARPA: George.Emery@p42.f4.n105.z1.FIDONET.ORG



<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
  • Re: suspension adjustments?, George Emery <=