Couple of handling queries

[jsr]

My Chimaera 400 (no power steering) seems to have developed some play in the steering over the past six months or so. During the same period, the car has developed an increasingly nasty habit of tram-lining. Even on seemingly smooth roads, the car fidgets side-to-side at the front, so much that i do not always feel in full control. The car has standard wheels and SO3's at the front at about 22psi. I think the worsening steering play is causing the fidgety ride - was hoping someone could confirm this theory. Of course, i would then have to check the suspension over to find the actual problem.

Also, as i've become more aware of the suspension setup, i've noticed a lack of control over dips in the road. For example, as the car passes over a dip on the left side, the front usually handles it fine, but the rear end seems to 'twist' into the dip - i.e. the body of the car doesn't stay flat, but moves down into the dip with the left rear wheel. When on uneven roads, it gives a weird twisting feeling.

I'm guessing the wheel goes into the dip and the shock is not quick enough to extend. Adding some clicks on the damper to make it firmer and therefore increase the rebound seems logical - again, would be good if someone who has experience in this could confirm.

I currently use rose jointed Avo adjustable dampers on the standard Eibach springs with rose jointed anti roll bar drop links too. It has already been suggested on here that i consider stiffer linear springs (375 front, 300 rear) so appreciate that this could be a possible solution. The roads where i live are pretty poor and so i have the dampers set fairly soft. Cant remember the exact settings, but it is about 6 clicks from soft at the rear, and six clicks from hard at the front (IIRC there are 16 clicks in total on the Avos). I also have higher than usual ride height to help clear all the speed bumps and also to allow me to get up my drive!

I have a service coming up in the next few months so will get it checked out then. Any thoughts would be appreciated though as the ride really is getting on my nerves and it seems to be getting worse all the time.

Edited by jsr on Sunday 17th June 23:38

[spend]

I'd check your BJs and UJs first, they may have taken a battering.

Dave

[chris_chim]

What tyres have you got on the back?
Mine developed similar traits when I changed from SO3s all round to Dunlops on the back.
The actual problem was geometry but the different tyres front and back seemed to exagerate the effect.

Edited by chris_chim on Monday 18th June 12:20

[jsr]

I have Toyo's on the rear. I did recently get the geometry set correctly, but since then i have increased the ride height by about half an inch, so this would have some effect. Even before the increase though, the car would still pull all over the road.

There is a slight knocking when i wiggle the steering wheel whilst stationary, but it seems to be only at one side and only in one direction.

I have suspected ball joints. What should i look for and/or who should i test them?

[spend]

Raise the wheel (one at a time) & give it a wiggle, top/bottom is BJs L/R is TRE's IIRC. Get someone to wiggle the steering wheel & you can check the steerin UJ's whilst youre at it.

Dave

[K4TRV]

James,

I have, with the exception of the springs, a similar set-up as you - A 400 with no-pas, plus Avos with rose joints on front/rear roll bars.

I also had poly bushes fitted in all suspension joints - That was what stopped the tram-lining.

What stopped the squirming at the rear over dips was Linear springs.

I fitted 250lb rear and 275lb front.

Transformed the car.

Avo "clicks" are front 9 and rears 10. (IIRC there are 20+ !!)

Not only is this a very complient set up, but is also firm enough to Sprint with !!

Hope that helps

K4TRV

P.S. I've Gooyears Eagle F1s

Edited by K4TRV on Monday 18th June 20:27

[jsr]

K4TRV said:

James,

I have, with the exception of the springs, a similar set-up as you - A 400 with no-pas, plus Avos with rose joints on front/rear roll bars.

I also had poly bushes fitted in all suspension joints - That was what stopped the tram-lining.

What stopped the squirming at the rear over dips was Linear springs.

I fitted 250lb rear and 275lb front.

Transformed the car.

Avo "clicks" are front 9 and rears 10. (IIRC there are 20+ !!)

Not only is this a very complient set up, but is also firm enough to Sprint with !!

Hope that helps

K4TRV

P.S. I've Gooyears Eagle F1s

Edited by K4TRV on Monday 18th June 20:27

Thanks, K4TRV. Lots of good info there. Think i might invest in some new linear springs as they're fairly cheap.

I think my car is just showing its age (1995) and i'm sure its taken a pounding from all the speed bumps in my area. Might hold replacing the bushes for the time being - have my wedding to pay for next year and i'm already finding it difficult to convince my fiance that i need to buy an engine crane, clutch, gaskets etc to remove the engine to replace my leaking core plugs!

A few months back, i thought my original springs had sagged as the car suddenly started grinding over speed bumps. It also bottoms-out very often, much more than they used to. Perhaps my springs have seen better days. Linear springs have been recommended with the Avo's so will give them a go.

[the gazman]

Are you sure about those rates, I think you will find that 350/375 front and 250/275 rear is closer to the mark with Avo but does depend on usage.

[munky]

Would linear springs work with bilstein dampers and would they be of benefit?