M400 Rear suspension bottoming out at trackday

[igeorge]

Hi All

I've noticed that my M400 has started making odd sounds from the rear loaded corner on exits, esp cambered corners. There is no sign of any tyre rubbing or such, and I suspect its the suspension bottoming out. It is a recent phenomenon, and there have been no changes to the car's suspension.

Any idea's why this should develop (on both sides)? Are the springs settling or could it be the dampers?

Any other owners experience anything similar?

I'm asking because I'm surprised that the car should be doing it, esp since the M400 is track oriented.

Cheers
Ian

[DanH]

Are you driving quicker?

[micknall]

Given a bumpy-enough circuit and bravado at the wheel you can get the suspension to bottom out. But if the circuit is relatively smooth, it shouldn't be doing this at all, whatever the camber changes.

Please bear in mind that the M400 is still a road car and its basic set-up is ultimately a compromise between having a decent on-road ride and good body composure when pushed to its limits.

Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.

[igeorge]

Hmmm....yes. After not being able to source Pirelli Corsa's here in SA, I have fitted Yoko A048's. They're definately increasing my corner speed

But I never noticed it at all on the first trackday I did in Feb, and I dont think I was THAT much slower then.

On the other hand, these Yoko's make it muck more difficult to break the rear out in the exit, which must be translating to more load.

I look about 12 people out for out-in laps on Wed, and they were all gobsmacked by the performance. They also had a Ferrari 430 and a GT3 doing the same, so most were able to compare the cars. No prize for the best performer. The 430 looked lovely, though!

Cheers
Ian

[igeorge]

Thanks for the input Simon!
Ian

[joust]

Yep - I can bottom the M400 out, but it's only when the car is seriously loaded up.

As Micknall says, it's that road/track compromise. The 'intersting' state of my front tyres shows that probnably more camber at the front would help, and the rears are wearing unevently on track as well, but that would shag it's astonishing b-road ability I'm told, as well as being a nightmare on the motorway.

I have to admit though that I get my local dealer to give the car the "once over spanner check" every two or three track days just to make sure something isn't wrong. I'd imagine any compentant mechanic would know how all the bits are meant to fit together - me, I'm been getting more and more lost by modern car design since I rebuilt my Triumph Spitfire - it's all too complex nowdays!

J