| Question |
Response(s) |
| What are the tracking settings for the 'S'? |
Front toe in: +3.2mm +-1.5 mm Camber:
0+-0.5 degrees Castor: +3.5 +-0.5 degrees
Rear toe in: +3.0mm +-1.5 mm Camber: -1+-0.25 degrees |
| Can I run my 'S' on normal unleaded rather than
super-unleaded? |
John Lau: "According to the TVR S owners manual,
whether the 290S will run on unleaded fuel depends on which Electronic Control Unit the
car has installed. There are 2 types: 88BB 12A650JA which requires no changes and 86GB
12A650AC which requires modification. According to Team Central (Birmingham), all that is
required is a lead, it is the same one that is required to convert the Ford Granada to run
unleaded. Apparantly these leads are in short supply." |
| I want to tighten the fitting of the hood below the rear
window. Are the only access screws to the retaining clamp the two, one on each side, to
the rear of the targa panel bar? |
"Have you looked at the mounting grommet below the
double-wishbone on the nearside vent-access cover flap?" |
| My mile counter has packed up on the S2. How do I fix it? |
"It usually means taking the unit apart and giving
it some TLC. Speedy Cables will normally recondition/repair stuck speedos. They did the
speedo on my Vixen a couple of times for me. Once to fix a stuck mileometer and a second
time when the cable broke inside the unit. Fairly cheap if I remember. Tel number is 0171
226 9228. Alternatively, a dealer may be able to free it as well." |
| Since putting new tyres on my S, the back end feels sloppy.
What could it be? |
"It could be worn bushes causing some movement in
the rear suspension." "Have you checked the tyre pressures? Might
seem obvious, but a few PSI couldmake a difference in the balance of the car.I find that
new tyres can take a few tens of miles to build up to decentgrip - don't know whether they
have to be scrubbed a little or have asurface coating worn off or something. Even after
this new tyres seem to bemuch more progressive than worn ones, and squirm quite a bit
beforegenerating maximum sideforce. I guess it is caused by the taller tread blocks on new
tyres distorting more under load. New tyres also seem tosqueal with hardly any provocation
but that might just be down to the driver I suppose." |
| I've got ground clearance problems. Should I replace the
springs? |
"Get this checked out before spending any money. The
problem is that measuring the ride heights using the gap between the top of the wheel and
the wheel arch can be extremely misleading. It is better to measure from the ground to the
main chassis. The main reason is that the body is bolted onto the chassis and there are
often several layers of rubber padding between the body and chassis. This padding is
typically made from layers of 1/4 inch thick rubber. It has been not unknown for the
layers to be changed/lost etc and this can mean that the body can be raised/lowered in
relation to the wheels as a result. Some shocks are also ride height
adjustable as well and it is possible that this has been done at the back to raise it and
to increase the ground clearance. Fitting the wrong springs is also a common problem. I
have also known broken springs to drop the clearance as well. It may well be spring
compaction but it is worth chceking out the whole suspension. If the springs have
compacted, this may have also stressed the whole suspension.
As for grounding, bear in mind that driving the car will cause the ride
height to change as the springs and shock actually work. If the suspension is soft or
allowing the car to move too much, this can exaggerate any potential for grounding. If
this is happening, then the dampers may be shot or need adjusting to stiffen them.
If the damper bushes are gone... then the chances are the rest have as well! If the
bushes are gone, then the dampers may need replacing as well.
Richard Thorpe at Wedge Automotive can supply a variety of springs and dampers for
the S series cars. It may be worth your while giving him a call." |