TVR Cerbera Hubs for Kit Car
Discussion
Hi,
Firstly, an apology. I'm not a TVR owner, although if I didn't already have an Elise I'm sure I could be persuaded. My reason for posting here is that you chaps are undoubtedly the experts for all things TVR.
I am working on the design for an overpowered, over-aeroed and under-weighted single seater, with the intention of fully drawing and CAD modelling the car before I start building mid next year. This isn't another pie in the sky idea; I have experience in building cars and have backup from various professionals in F1 and elsewhere, and I have the resources and tools to follow this through.
I've discovered that the Cerbera extruded uprights look like great options for the four corners of the car, but I will need to design wishbones and model the suspension geometry with 305mm wide x 660mm diameter tyres.
Ideally, does anyone have a TVR Cerbera upright that I can borrow and draw up? Even better still, does anyone have two pairs of these sitting in a garage pile that they'd like to convert to cash? I don't mind about calipers and brakes, I can deal with those later on; key things now are working out the suspension geometry so I can locate the hard points on the car chassis and build a full size wooden mockup. I'm based south of Croydon.
I promise updates as I start the build!
Nick
Firstly, an apology. I'm not a TVR owner, although if I didn't already have an Elise I'm sure I could be persuaded. My reason for posting here is that you chaps are undoubtedly the experts for all things TVR.
I am working on the design for an overpowered, over-aeroed and under-weighted single seater, with the intention of fully drawing and CAD modelling the car before I start building mid next year. This isn't another pie in the sky idea; I have experience in building cars and have backup from various professionals in F1 and elsewhere, and I have the resources and tools to follow this through.
I've discovered that the Cerbera extruded uprights look like great options for the four corners of the car, but I will need to design wishbones and model the suspension geometry with 305mm wide x 660mm diameter tyres.
Ideally, does anyone have a TVR Cerbera upright that I can borrow and draw up? Even better still, does anyone have two pairs of these sitting in a garage pile that they'd like to convert to cash? I don't mind about calipers and brakes, I can deal with those later on; key things now are working out the suspension geometry so I can locate the hard points on the car chassis and build a full size wooden mockup. I'm based south of Croydon.
I promise updates as I start the build!
Nick
cymtriks said:
Some years ago there was a problem with TVR hubs cracking. The design was changed. I don't know anything more about this but recall it being on PH.
Been around TVRs for 20 years and never, ever heard this. Not saying it's not true but what I can say is that the early rims used on the Cerbera used to get hairline cracks and were re-worked. You may be thinking of this? As for expert advice on Cerbers, why not post on the Cerbera section there are some experts on there.
Thanks guys, really appreciate that.
If there are any issues with hubs cracking, it would be good to know. In my application I'll probably be driving them harder than in a TVR, due to size of tyres, extra load from downforce, and a bi-turbo 4.2 V8. If the issue was actually with wheels/rims, that's less of a problem as I'll use aftermarket 5x114 rims to fit tyres of the desired size, rather than TVR OEM.
If there are any issues with hubs cracking, it would be good to know. In my application I'll probably be driving them harder than in a TVR, due to size of tyres, extra load from downforce, and a bi-turbo 4.2 V8. If the issue was actually with wheels/rims, that's less of a problem as I'll use aftermarket 5x114 rims to fit tyres of the desired size, rather than TVR OEM.
hi. yep the very early cerb hubs were fine, thick castings that gave no trouble. Then they changed to a thinner casting that fractured when the bearing outer corroded and swelled (steel carrier in aluminium hub). These hubs were the subject of the recall. Very early cars didn't get recalled as their hubs were fine. As said above you'd be hard pushed to find any of the fragile hubs in existence as it was a DOT recall not a factory one as such so HAD to be carried out I think?
If you're drawing up a hub why not do one from scratch though. Or have a word with Guy Evans at Nitron .. when he and colin blower were looking into a vx220 race series I seem to remember them settling on a merc S class bearing as the best available at the time?
If you're drawing up a hub why not do one from scratch though. Or have a word with Guy Evans at Nitron .. when he and colin blower were looking into a vx220 race series I seem to remember them settling on a merc S class bearing as the best available at the time?
Thanks for Guy and Colin info. I'll have a look at that hub.
From what I've seen of the TVR hub (TheTVRShop), the position of the top ball joint can be put in a number of horizontal positions. This is useful as it means I can set the line through the ball joints to hit the correct spot on the road (~1.5" inboard of the centre of the tyre contact patch), dialled in for the ET of the wheels I end up using.
Where possible, I want to use OTS parts that are 95% close to what I would design anyway. There's a lot to be said for someone else having done the testing, i.e. recalls!
From what I've seen of the TVR hub (TheTVRShop), the position of the top ball joint can be put in a number of horizontal positions. This is useful as it means I can set the line through the ball joints to hit the correct spot on the road (~1.5" inboard of the centre of the tyre contact patch), dialled in for the ET of the wheels I end up using.
Where possible, I want to use OTS parts that are 95% close to what I would design anyway. There's a lot to be said for someone else having done the testing, i.e. recalls!
I've got an Elise with the original extruded hubs, and definitely considered these. The Elise hubs have two downsides though, in my opinion.
Firstly, I think the bearings are a bit fragile, I've been through at least one on each corner in 40k of driving. The Jeep bearings on the TVR are substantial, but on the upside that means I'm not going to be too concerned about strength.
Secondly, the TVR hubs can be changed with small tools, whereas you need a press to get the bearings out of an Elise. Unlike the designers of the Elise, I'm keen on accessibility and ease of maintenance, especially when at a track.
Thanks to readers here I now have one set of front hubs in my garage, and am hoping to organise myself to get another set sent across next week. Once again shows what a fantastic place this is for enthusiasts, and I will post the drawings of a corners for your amusement when they are available!
Firstly, I think the bearings are a bit fragile, I've been through at least one on each corner in 40k of driving. The Jeep bearings on the TVR are substantial, but on the upside that means I'm not going to be too concerned about strength.
Secondly, the TVR hubs can be changed with small tools, whereas you need a press to get the bearings out of an Elise. Unlike the designers of the Elise, I'm keen on accessibility and ease of maintenance, especially when at a track.
Thanks to readers here I now have one set of front hubs in my garage, and am hoping to organise myself to get another set sent across next week. Once again shows what a fantastic place this is for enthusiasts, and I will post the drawings of a corners for your amusement when they are available!
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