Experiencing geometry set-up
Discussion
Well today I went to TDI in Thurrock. I must say that they are a really friendly and knowledgeable group of people and they spent a lot of time talking to me about what they do and how they do it. They have some serious equipment there and the machine used to measure power at the wheel hubs rather than at the road is fascinating. They had a Mercedes SL65 AMG on it when I was there which was being treated to some performance modifications and results measurements.
My car went on their alignment machine and again it is a fascinating process. Whilst I didn't understand it all they took a couple of hours to measure my geometry parameters and then to set the car up for me. They offer the straight FRS set-ups but also will tailor any set-up to whatever you wish to achieve. The set-up is followed by their chief geometry chap driving out and seeing if the car handles as expected. He came back to say that there was a slight left pull under braking and also the steering wheel is slightly down on the right side. (see below for more on this).
So what was the result. Well the car feels like a completely different car to drive and the whole process was definitely worth it. It feels more stable and more precise and definitely more confidence inspiring.
However, I left them with one outstanding issue which they helped to identify. My six week old brand new tyres on the front have different rolling diameters. One is 7mm bigger than the other! So the slight (and a lot less than it was) pull to the left and the fact that the steering wheel is still slightly down on the right hand side are in all probability due to the different diameters of the tyres. I called Bridgestone technical support and they were amazed at the difference and said that is outside specification tolerances to have such a diameter difference. I then went to Grange and they agreed to fit two new tyres (as soon as they can get some in as apparently they are hard to get right now). They are also going to remove the number plate plinth for me and are fitting clear lights at the rear as they have an offer on at the moment.
So I thoroughly recommend getting the geometry checked and thoroughly recommend TDI. I will go back each year for a geometry check-up and my thanks to Neil1300R and others on here who recommended them. Add one more to that list of recommenders
My car went on their alignment machine and again it is a fascinating process. Whilst I didn't understand it all they took a couple of hours to measure my geometry parameters and then to set the car up for me. They offer the straight FRS set-ups but also will tailor any set-up to whatever you wish to achieve. The set-up is followed by their chief geometry chap driving out and seeing if the car handles as expected. He came back to say that there was a slight left pull under braking and also the steering wheel is slightly down on the right side. (see below for more on this).
So what was the result. Well the car feels like a completely different car to drive and the whole process was definitely worth it. It feels more stable and more precise and definitely more confidence inspiring.
However, I left them with one outstanding issue which they helped to identify. My six week old brand new tyres on the front have different rolling diameters. One is 7mm bigger than the other! So the slight (and a lot less than it was) pull to the left and the fact that the steering wheel is still slightly down on the right hand side are in all probability due to the different diameters of the tyres. I called Bridgestone technical support and they were amazed at the difference and said that is outside specification tolerances to have such a diameter difference. I then went to Grange and they agreed to fit two new tyres (as soon as they can get some in as apparently they are hard to get right now). They are also going to remove the number plate plinth for me and are fitting clear lights at the rear as they have an offer on at the moment.
So I thoroughly recommend getting the geometry checked and thoroughly recommend TDI. I will go back each year for a geometry check-up and my thanks to Neil1300R and others on here who recommended them. Add one more to that list of recommenders
v8woollie said:
My six week old brand new tyres on the front have different rolling diameters. One is 7mm bigger than the other!
Hey WoolieThat is a great result on many counts. Really impressed that you're getting new tyres out of it.
That diameter disparity was a damn good find. It'll cause differential wind up as well which isn't really what diffs are designed for.
IIRC the original Freelanders used to destroy transmissions when the tyre diameters got too different front to back.
peterr96 said:
Hey Woolie
That is a great result on many counts. Really impressed that you're getting new tyres out of it.
That diameter disparity was a damn good find. It'll cause differential wind up as well which isn't really what diffs are designed for.
IIRC the original Freelanders used to destroy transmissions when the tyre diameters got too different front to back.
Only if it's a front wheel drive Aston...That is a great result on many counts. Really impressed that you're getting new tyres out of it.
That diameter disparity was a damn good find. It'll cause differential wind up as well which isn't really what diffs are designed for.
IIRC the original Freelanders used to destroy transmissions when the tyre diameters got too different front to back.
S
Simon T said:
peterr96 said:
Hey Woolie
That is a great result on many counts. Really impressed that you're getting new tyres out of it.
That diameter disparity was a damn good find. It'll cause differential wind up as well which isn't really what diffs are designed for.
IIRC the original Freelanders used to destroy transmissions when the tyre diameters got too different front to back.
Only if it's a front wheel drive Aston...That is a great result on many counts. Really impressed that you're getting new tyres out of it.
That diameter disparity was a damn good find. It'll cause differential wind up as well which isn't really what diffs are designed for.
IIRC the original Freelanders used to destroy transmissions when the tyre diameters got too different front to back.
S
best watch out for that on Cygnets then Hi Wollie,
thanks for the post, yuo saved me starting a new thread.
My nice and shiney Nitron R1's turned up today and i will fit them next week, after wich i will get all the settings checked.
I've looked in my manual and i gives the standard settings and the sport pack one's.
I was wondering what settings they used?
Cheers Dixie
thanks for the post, yuo saved me starting a new thread.
My nice and shiney Nitron R1's turned up today and i will fit them next week, after wich i will get all the settings checked.
I've looked in my manual and i gives the standard settings and the sport pack one's.
I was wondering what settings they used?
Cheers Dixie
I am hoping that the new tyres will straighten up the steering wheel and stop the slight pull to the left under braking. Sam at TDI said to see what I think and if I'm not happy then to go back and they will check the diameters again and go from there.
He did say that they normally see 1-2mm difference and have only had once previous occasion of seeing greater than 5mm. The chap at Bridgestone tech support also said that on a car that is geometry sensitive if a tyre has to be replaced (say due to a puncture) if the other side has less than 3-4mm of tread then both tyres should be changed due to the variance in rolling diameter.
He did say that they normally see 1-2mm difference and have only had once previous occasion of seeing greater than 5mm. The chap at Bridgestone tech support also said that on a car that is geometry sensitive if a tyre has to be replaced (say due to a puncture) if the other side has less than 3-4mm of tread then both tyres should be changed due to the variance in rolling diameter.
yourtheguy said:
Hi Wollie,
thanks for the post, yuo saved me starting a new thread.
My nice and shiney Nitron R1's turned up today and i will fit them next week, after wich i will get all the settings checked.
I've looked in my manual and i gives the standard settings and the sport pack one's.
I was wondering what settings they used?
Cheers Dixie
TDI have three variations on fast road set-ups for the V8 Vantage. I had the standard one. They have done around 50 Vantage geometry set-ups. What they would do is take their base set-up and then ask you what you want to achieve from the set-up and will then work with you from there. thanks for the post, yuo saved me starting a new thread.
My nice and shiney Nitron R1's turned up today and i will fit them next week, after wich i will get all the settings checked.
I've looked in my manual and i gives the standard settings and the sport pack one's.
I was wondering what settings they used?
Cheers Dixie
I'm about 300 miles from TDI so i'm going to a guy up the road from me who sets up rally cars, he says that he can do what ever i want never having done a vantage he can say what works out of the box without trial and error.
I was hoping that they gave you a print out of the settings.
But saying that it is not to say that these settings will suit me or the roads i drive on .
I was hoping that they gave you a print out of the settings.
But saying that it is not to say that these settings will suit me or the roads i drive on .
silverspeed said:
So what is the recommended period or mileage to have the geo checked?
It was interesting to see the wide permissible variance within the standard AM set-up. Even if a car left the factory absolutely spot on it is likely over time that holes in the road, uneven surfaces and normal wear and tear will mean that the geometry will alter. I would guess that my MY07 has never had a geometry check and it was quite a way out although in some areas within the factory spec.
TDI said an annual geometry check is worthwhile on a car that is sensitive to proper geometry such as Astons. For the sake of an hour and less cost than a new tyre I think it is worthwhile.
yourtheguy said:
I'm about 300 miles from TDI so i'm going to a guy up the road from me who sets up rally cars, he says that he can do what ever i want never having done a vantage he can say what works out of the box without trial and error.
I was hoping that they gave you a print out of the settings.
But saying that it is not to say that these settings will suit me or the roads i drive on .
I do have a printout but I'm not sure it is the full spec. I assume that having worked to get a solid FRS for the Vantage they probably don't want others to take it and apply it. I could be wrong on that. I was hoping that they gave you a print out of the settings.
But saying that it is not to say that these settings will suit me or the roads i drive on .
v8woollie said:
yourtheguy said:
I'm about 300 miles from TDI so i'm going to a guy up the road from me who sets up rally cars, he says that he can do what ever i want never having done a vantage he can say what works out of the box without trial and error.
I was hoping that they gave you a print out of the settings.
But saying that it is not to say that these settings will suit me or the roads i drive on .
I do have a printout but I'm not sure it is the full spec. I assume that having worked to get a solid FRS for the Vantage they probably don't want others to take it and apply it. I could be wrong on that. I was hoping that they gave you a print out of the settings.
But saying that it is not to say that these settings will suit me or the roads i drive on .
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