Suspension setup and ride height...

[redleicester]

Must have been at least 12 hours since my last thread, so thought it was about time I started yet another one!

I commented on another thread that my new Cerb seemed determined to wrap itself round any random bit of street furniture, passing wildlife or other road user with the slightest provocation.

Turns out that the camber front and back had been set by a loon, plus the toe in was extreme. Anyway, after a lot of fiddling in the garage and a proper laser alignment, now the car manages to go in a straight line!

Anyway, two queries - the car is still seriously twitchy. In fairness, my daily drive takes in a fair bit of rippled tarmac on country roads, but my previous Chimaera felt far more stable on the same route.

Having looked at the tyres, the current front S02s are shot - scrubbed inner edges from the poor setup. I'm tempted to replace them with Toyo T1-Rs, as the T1Ss aren't made in the right sizes for the original Cerbera 16" wheels. These were wonderful on the Chim - any comments on them?

Also, looking at the car in profile, it seems like it's sitting on its nose - there's very little space in the front arches, and heaps in the rears - almost like it should be hot-rodded!!



Is this normal, or are the rear dampers ramped up, and the front too low?!

Sorry for the continued silly questions, but I'm running the beggar everyday, so I guess I'm getting rather pernickerty over the little things!

[carl_w]

T1-S aren't made in the original sizes? I have S03s in 225/45 on the front and 245/45 on the rear -- both of which are available in the Toyo Proxes T1S.

[redleicester]

Sorry, missed the final detail - Toyo do a TVR-specific compound, and this isn't available, though the standard T1Ss are. At least that's what the UK rep said....

[bilton_d]

it's very common for the front spring to bow causing the drop in ride height. tyre wise i don't think you can go wrong with either Bridgestone or Toyo IMO the Bridgestone is a better all round tyre and seems to be harder wearing even though they have the same rating But then you have the cost Toyo's are soo much cheaper.

[ian8542]

I've posted elsewhere on the forum about dampers and right height.
The front springs do sag and you end up with the damper sat on the bump stop and no travel.
The dampers will expire shortly after this happens if not already.
If the ride height has dropped, more negative camber will have entered the equation, but if you have just had the geometry set then take it back and check the ride height front to rear. Also get them to check the springs and dampers.

[redleicester]

Thanks Ian, looks like I ought to pop back and have a chat with them.

I have to say thus far Horizon have spotted several things that no one else has, so that's a plus for them - but no one's infallible, so anything is possible! Will let you know how I get on.

[joospeed]

Going on the piccie alone, I would think your car is pretty much undriveable isn't it? your front springs muct be close to coil bound, and the rear is amongst the highest I've seen ..

do your headlights shine any further than 2 feet in front of the car?

[redleicester]

Funny you mention that Joo, the lights are appalling. Frankly I think it's been a mighty test of my driving abilities to keep the beggar in a straight line at all, let alone turn corners! I spent quite a while thinking it was just me, but it would seem something is still amiss......

[redleicester]

......and the prescription for my symptoms are.....

Nitrons!

Why am I not suprised! Yep, the car has had new rear dampers, and the fronts are sagging and worn, so looks like I'll be raiding the piggybank (as usual!) in the New Year.....

Thanks for the advice chaps, looks like this is the sensible option - unless anyone has any better ideas?

[J_S_G]

redleicester said:

......and the prescription for my symptoms are..... Nitrons!

Good call.

Personally, I really don't like the Bridgestone S03s, and I really do like the Proxes (I'm currently fairly indifferent about the Eagle F1s). Only tried the "S"s, though, not the "R"s.

[DuncanM]

I Really don't like S03's either .

I am having a lot of success with Falken FK451's at the moment .

Great tyre imo at a good price .

Duncan

[blockpower]

must say that my cerb is quite like yours though not as servere, i have a smaller space at the front arches than the rear,

but i also have a busted front damper on the o/s, but with all this the car still handles rearly well. yes i am serious. i cannot wait til i get the springs and damps on though as the envelope can be exploited further..


happy days to come.

have you checked any of the wishbones for crash/ bump damage. sorry i'm not implying you car is bad, of course i'm not, but you did say youv'e just got it, and you never know what happened before you took charge

[redleicester]

I had wondered about battered or broken bits, but the car was inspected before I bought it, plus the garage have been over it - but as you say, anything is possible, and certainly there are several things that the garage have found that the inspection didn't...