Is it me, or are LSDs naff on greasy autumn roads?
Discussion
This wasn't the first thing that went through my mind as I contemplated the unexpected view from the verge I involuntarily reversed up last night, after losing it big style on the tight left into our village (the first thing was 2.1 for skill, 7.65 for artistic impression, and a solid 9.8 for the sheer vintage quality of the dirty look and rebuke coming from her in the passenger seat 
), but it did occur to me soon after.
See, other RWD/FWD cars I've had have always seemed so much more progressive and controllable in oversteer than my Chim. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy pushing it and do whenever I 'safely' can. But, I always get the impression it might bite... it's come very very close once or twice but it did last night. Proper.
I provoked it, I admit; 2nd gear and a good stab on the pedal right after the apex. It came round quickly, as normal, and I felt the steering hit the stop on opposite lock. Maybe too much correction, because we then switched the other way. Caught that too; again with max steering input and dipped the clutch as it was getting lairy (sod the style, just wanted to save it by now). But, no, back round for the third fishtail like a stubby blue pendulum. Ccccrunchhhh!! (that was the kerb... n/s rear first somehow, but all four crossed its 4 inch threshold).... then silence... before I drove back off as nonchalantly as was possible (not very).
Maybe it was just driver error (she certainly thinks so, and who am I to dispute her wisdom
), but I have a sneaky suspicion I would have saved it in my old Mexico or the RS4x4 I had years after. Just all seemed very quick and unpredictable.
So, is it me, or do Tiv fitment LSDs let go much more suddenly?
Happily no more damage than one mashed rim and one even more mashed ego. Might need a geometery check though
), but it did occur to me soon after. See, other RWD/FWD cars I've had have always seemed so much more progressive and controllable in oversteer than my Chim. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy pushing it and do whenever I 'safely' can. But, I always get the impression it might bite... it's come very very close once or twice but it did last night. Proper.
I provoked it, I admit; 2nd gear and a good stab on the pedal right after the apex. It came round quickly, as normal, and I felt the steering hit the stop on opposite lock. Maybe too much correction, because we then switched the other way. Caught that too; again with max steering input and dipped the clutch as it was getting lairy (sod the style, just wanted to save it by now). But, no, back round for the third fishtail like a stubby blue pendulum. Ccccrunchhhh!! (that was the kerb... n/s rear first somehow, but all four crossed its 4 inch threshold).... then silence... before I drove back off as nonchalantly as was possible (not very).
Maybe it was just driver error (she certainly thinks so, and who am I to dispute her wisdom
), but I have a sneaky suspicion I would have saved it in my old Mexico or the RS4x4 I had years after. Just all seemed very quick and unpredictable. So, is it me, or do Tiv fitment LSDs let go much more suddenly?
Happily no more damage than one mashed rim and one even more mashed ego. Might need a geometery check though
pupp said:
This wasn't the first thing that went through my mind as I contemplated the unexpected view from the verge I involuntarily reversed up last night, after losing it big style on the tight left into our village (the first thing was 2.1 for skill, 7.65 for artistic impression, and a solid 9.8 for the sheer vintage quality of the dirty look and rebuke coming from her in the passenger seat
Truly fabulous opening sentence
- do you write books? 
Glad to here no significant damage to the car and most importantly that you and your good lady are OK (apart from the ego!).
Can't really help on the LSD question, other than I really don't think you should be taking it if you are driving
Don't worry - it's not just you. LSD's do tend to be a bit 'snappy' when they reach the limit of traction.
With a non-LSD equipped car, whichever wheel starts losing traction first will spin away come of the excess power, which has the side effect of making the breakaway more progressive.
With a non-LSD equipped car, whichever wheel starts losing traction first will spin away come of the excess power, which has the side effect of making the breakaway more progressive.
had a moment of my own last sunday - been all the way to the top of the mountain and back again for the back-end to step out whilst changing down to 2nd in the lowlands - dryer and warmer conditions, damit..!
Nothing major, but still a bit disconcerting... Anyway, will have the Cosworth back on the road once springs renewed, electricals & PAS sorted....costing more than the Tuscan! But main point being horses for courses and all that.
Nothing major, but still a bit disconcerting... Anyway, will have the Cosworth back on the road once springs renewed, electricals & PAS sorted....costing more than the Tuscan! But main point being horses for courses and all that.
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