Where to get Geo setup done

[Andy T]

Hey all,

Think i need to get a full Geo check and setup done. Had heavy steering since i bought my S2 111S in May even though it's been back to the garage and had a new rack and track rod ends. It also feels a bit "dead" and not as lively as my old S2 was.

Where's a good place to go in the South Yorkshire area? Or further afield if needs be.

Cheers

A

[TIPPER]

Probably worth getting a geo done Andy, especially if its a while since it was last done.
Just a thought though. What tyres and what size are you running on the front? When I went from the original 185 p zeros to 195 BFGs the steering (as you'd expect) weighted up a bit and then when I went to Toyos (BFGs not available any more) I lost some of the feel and directness. As the S1 runs on 175 tyres (??) I'd expect you to initially find the S1 steering heavy.

[Andy T]

Hey Tipper,

I'm running the standard Bridgestone RE080 s. I've driven quite a few S2's and 4 different S1s and a can say that the steering on my car is heavier than all of them! Hence the reason for wanting a geo check. It actually feels a lot like the heavy steering you get when you have got no air in the front tyres. Obviously I've checked that though!

Cheers

A

[LotusEater666]

Keep us posted as to whether the geo improves things

[Heesen]

Are you running standard suspension and ride height ?

will make a difference om bump steer and feed back.

[jfrf]

phoenix motorsport in accrington are supposed to be preety good at geos. only 60 quid as well.

down south its more like 150 quid

[Talkwrench]

I would definitely recommend TrackvRoad in Clitheroe.

http://www.trackvroad.co.uk

Superb workshop and friendly, very knowledgeable staff. They set up my S1 Elise.

[TIPPER]

Andy T said:

Hey Tipper,

I'm running the standard Bridgestone RE080 s. I've driven quite a few S2's and 4 different S1s and a can say that the steering on my car is heavier than all of them! Hence the reason for wanting a geo check. It actually feels a lot like the heavy steering you get when you have got no air in the front tyres. Obviously I've checked that though!

Cheers

A

Quite heavy then. I can't remember what it is that can particularly make the steering heavy but a geo should see you sorted.

[hbaumhardt]

Before handing you car over to be "geo-d" you can get yourself up to speed with;

Settings (and what they do) http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Geo_Setups
Accuracy (& DIY) http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Geo_Alignment_Rig_%28Home_...

[Andy T]

hbaumhardt said:

Before handing you car over to be "geo-d" you can get yourself up to speed with;

Settings (and what they do) http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Geo_Setups
Accuracy (& DIY) http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Geo_Alignment_Rig_%28Home_...

I've had a read through those before. I was going to do the poles'n'string method but I think there may be more than just an iffy Geo going on here.

Yesterday I jacked up the front, removed the wheels and disconnected the Track Rod Ends from the steering arms to check the rack for any stiffness. I found a really stiff bit about 30 degrees off straight forward anti-clockwise and some more stiffness around 10-15 degrees clockwise from straight forward. I aslo checked for play or stiffness in the ball joints but they felt fine.

Bearing in mind that the rack was only replaced just over 1 week ago I would have thought that after eliminating the friction from the suspension elements, the steering should turn without any lumpyness in a very silky smooth and effortless way from lock to lock. It doesn't.

However, I think thats only part of the problem, I don't see how stiffness in the rack could make the entire steering effort so heavy. My mate (fatboy111) came round and drove my car yesterday and was appauled at the steering. We've both driven loads of elises and he was adamant that there was something really wrong with it which I agree with.

we also found that the front tyres are wearing much more on the insides.


So I'm off to find out whats going on with the Geo and get it sorted, possibly getting yet another steering rack if needs be.

If the garage (Christopher Neil) has put a dodgy recon rack on my car, that will be the second time I've had to have a "new" part replaced because only last month they put on a replacement alternator that only generated 8 volts! Obviously the car ground to a halt and had to be recovered!