Steering kick-back

[Chris71]

Had a great week zipping around Devon in the Chimaera (now very much up and running again) and it's reminded me of something that was starting to grate a little before I took it off the road. Over rough surfaces there is a lot of kick-back through the steering.

It's a non-PAS car and it's running very firm damper settings currently, which seemed to exacerbate the problem when they first went on (prior to the car's hiatus). The castor is set right back currently, but it's running on the standard wheels and tyres.

It's ages since I've driven another Chim, and not sure I've been in another non-PAS one, so does this sound 'normal' to people? I am talking about very bumpy B-roads here, not just a bit of undulation, I hasten to add.

I'm loathed to reduce the castor, because I love the feedback it gives, but it is quite intrusive currently.

[QBee]

I'm not an expert, but my TVR specialist asked me how I wanted my car set up, and said he could set it up to be a serious tool for track days, but it would be horrible on the road. Sounds like you might need to relax the damper settings a bit and at least have a chat with an expert about your alignment settings.

[Andy JB]

Sounds very much like Steering UJ's to me - a simple cheap fix - i would try it first

[speedtwelve]

Mine is similar to Chris71; the steering wheel is all over the shop on rough surfaces. I also have a non-PAS Chim. It's one of the things that stood out on my TVR after my previous S2000, the wheel on which sat resolutely in the same position regardless of surface, camber etc.

Mine did it on the original Bilsteins, still does it on the Gaz Gold Pros, Str8Six didn't comment on it when they test-drove it. I just live with it and wrestle the steering wheel like Tarzan while on the back roads.

[spend]

Easy things to try are to slacken the dampers and increase the toe in (carefully screw in & lock TRE's 2 full turns each ~ then you can back them out if it doesn't help).

[Chris71]

Andy JB said:

Sounds very much like Steering UJ's to me - a simple cheap fix - i would try it first

I don't think there's a great deal of play. It feels brilliant on smooth surfaces where presumably rotational play would still show up?

Does anyone know how sensitive they are to ride-height? I think mine is running slightly lower than it should be, which probably doesn't help.

It's a tricky one if it does just come down to castor. The feedback from the tyres is very good indeed, but things get very 'busy' on rough roads.

[QBee]

My misaligned Chimaera was fine on the motorway. But on a bumpy B road it tried to throw me into the river. If it was mine I would be straight down to someone who knows what he is doing with a TVR. I would get him to check dampers, suspension joints etc and if that proves negative, do a computer 4 wheel alignment. It cost me £72 to get mine feeling great. Best £72 I ever spent on the car. And I have done 10,000 miles since then with no odd tyre wear, so am still onthe same tyres.

[Andy JB]

Chris71 said:

Andy JB said:

Sounds very much like Steering UJ's to me - a simple cheap fix - i would try it first

I don't think there's a great deal of play. It feels brilliant on smooth surfaces where presumably rotational play would still show up?

Does anyone know how sensitive they are to ride-height? I think mine is running slightly lower than it should be, which probably doesn't help.

It's a tricky one if it does just come down to castor. The feedback from the tyres is very good indeed, but things get very 'busy' on rough roads.

My ride height is lower but not necessarily perceptable when looking externally, it does improve handling & much more planted feel esp at the front - however i don't get the wheel wobble you mention - somethings not right.

Mine did have some slack originally which was improved dramatically in all areas by changing steering UJ's front wishbones/bushes, springs/dampers & ARB's over a period of time. UJ's would be my main pointer but it could be any one or combination of all - none very expensive & will prob need doing in the short-term anyway.

Very planted & smooth with great steering feel (better with 225 fronts) over past few years & you should have no trouble out performing an S2000 even if in the corners the S2 would still have the edge but you'de be going much faster when turning in I found.