Bent Chassis ?
Discussion
As per advice on PH, instead of buying a Camber Angle gauge I made one and instead spent the money on a remote infra red thermometer. The gauge indicates about 2.5 degrees negative camber each side and after an enthusiastic blast the rear tyre temperatures suggest that the outer edges are not doing any work, which is confirmed by inspection of the wear. So I set about adjusting the camber and find the right hand side is already fully positive in the slot where the left is about in the middle. Does this suggest something is a bit bent ? I did think it was odd that when Peninsular fitted a set of dampers they had to put more turns on the left hand spring seats than the right to get the car level. The car drives OK, with the possible exception that it could do with a bit more grip under heavy, straight line acceleration, but I guess that applies to most Griffs. Comments and advice please.
They're probably all slightly bent if compared to a production moncoque, there must room to iron this out due to the lugs on the chassis where the top wishbones connect (in the most extreme they could be replaced and re-drilled), the top wishbones may be kinked, bushes may be worn etc but I'm sure you've already considered this.
It seems that you were trying to be cost effective by saving money with the camber angle gauge, but it looks as if an expensive trip to an alignment specialist is the only way you can put your mind at rest. The simplest way would be to further elongate the holes to suit.
Now the disclaimer;- I'm guessing. Suspension geometry is a serious business - I'm sure some experts out there will point the errors in my theory - but if it creates discusion that resolves problem.....Job done!!
It seems that you were trying to be cost effective by saving money with the camber angle gauge, but it looks as if an expensive trip to an alignment specialist is the only way you can put your mind at rest. The simplest way would be to further elongate the holes to suit.
Now the disclaimer;- I'm guessing. Suspension geometry is a serious business - I'm sure some experts out there will point the errors in my theory - but if it creates discusion that resolves problem.....Job done!!
1. Forget about having the spring platforms level... very rarely happens as the weight is not evenly distributed.
2. The rear wishbones have some adjustment at the bottom IIRC. This is normally not touched but playing with this should recover the movement in the top slot. I would get that measuring tape out and check distances. on the bottom wishbone.
2. The rear wishbones have some adjustment at the bottom IIRC. This is normally not touched but playing with this should recover the movement in the top slot. I would get that measuring tape out and check distances. on the bottom wishbone.
shpub said:
2. The rear wishbones have some adjustment at the bottom IIRC. This is normally not touched but playing with this should recover the movement in the top slot. I would get that measuring tape out and check distances. on the bottom wishbone.
There's toe angle adjustment - I think that would affect camber also. Might be worth checking the toe angles at the back?
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