Tracking / alignment readings
Discussion
Hi Roulli
I have had fitted new AVO Prorace (black & red)shocks and 20% increased rate springs and then swiftly followed (as there was a hole) by two new trailing arms.
Prior to the work, my old set up had travelled quite some miles, the bonnet wouldn't open without hitting the floor, couldn't go over any speed bumps at all and it bounced alot, particularly at the front end. Shocks had definately seen better days. This made the car feel very soft indeed and I wasnt confident to push the car very hard into corners.
Now, ive only done about 200 miles with the new set up and am still trialling the different damper settings but it is so much stiffer than before, I can corner with confidence. I'm just being careful not to stiffen the rear too much as it will let go of grip earlier and nobody wants to face the wrong way on a roundabout.
I have the AVO's set on about 6 or 7 out of 14 clicks although i need to try and tailor each corner as 6 clicks on one is not the same as 6 on another.
The trailing arms needed shims inserting to get the tracking right, we used 4 fat & 3 thin shims in total but each car will be different. The tracking guy reckons the car was very straight considering its build type & age.
The ride height is the best bit for anyone using their car for every day purposes. The trailing arms are S3 type and therefore raise the rear ride height by about 1", I have now raised the front about 1" to match, not only does it look better, but I can open the bonnet fully and the country lane dips dont catch out the exhaust anymore. After examining pictures from the bible, i reckon the ride height is about at factory settings, maybe 1cm higher.
Ive now moved on to my next job, chasis care and am currently stripping the rusty old coating off the rear of the chasis before re-painting.
I plan to take the car on a driving holiday around the Loire Valley this July and can't wait.
I have had fitted new AVO Prorace (black & red)shocks and 20% increased rate springs and then swiftly followed (as there was a hole) by two new trailing arms.
Prior to the work, my old set up had travelled quite some miles, the bonnet wouldn't open without hitting the floor, couldn't go over any speed bumps at all and it bounced alot, particularly at the front end. Shocks had definately seen better days. This made the car feel very soft indeed and I wasnt confident to push the car very hard into corners.
Now, ive only done about 200 miles with the new set up and am still trialling the different damper settings but it is so much stiffer than before, I can corner with confidence. I'm just being careful not to stiffen the rear too much as it will let go of grip earlier and nobody wants to face the wrong way on a roundabout.
I have the AVO's set on about 6 or 7 out of 14 clicks although i need to try and tailor each corner as 6 clicks on one is not the same as 6 on another.
The trailing arms needed shims inserting to get the tracking right, we used 4 fat & 3 thin shims in total but each car will be different. The tracking guy reckons the car was very straight considering its build type & age.
The ride height is the best bit for anyone using their car for every day purposes. The trailing arms are S3 type and therefore raise the rear ride height by about 1", I have now raised the front about 1" to match, not only does it look better, but I can open the bonnet fully and the country lane dips dont catch out the exhaust anymore. After examining pictures from the bible, i reckon the ride height is about at factory settings, maybe 1cm higher.
Ive now moved on to my next job, chasis care and am currently stripping the rusty old coating off the rear of the chasis before re-painting.
I plan to take the car on a driving holiday around the Loire Valley this July and can't wait.
I agree with Green V8S' response and this is kind of why I dont want to go over 7 of the 14 clicks as overstiffness is not the answer.
My springs are not rising rate, and are very comfortable as they are set.
My guess would be that your shocks are a little old and therefore soft. if they are koni's then they will probably be standard fit from factory and therefore older.
Changing lane at speed never really seems a problem for me although it was a little bouncy with the old set up.
My springs are not rising rate, and are very comfortable as they are set.
My guess would be that your shocks are a little old and therefore soft. if they are koni's then they will probably be standard fit from factory and therefore older.
Changing lane at speed never really seems a problem for me although it was a little bouncy with the old set up.
My understanding would be both age & mileage. They are being stressed more by mileage but standing still for 2 years would put some minor wear on them i guess.
Roulli - I dont know how long youve had the car but the S series do tend to 'corner on their door handles' with OE on them. You dont get the go-kart feel that my old Westfield used to provide. You may also want some stiffer springs ? the ones fitted may not be the right rate. but just remember it will never be ultimately stiff unless you invest in like GreenV8S does for example & uses a hard set up for track purposes i'm sure.
Roulli - I dont know how long youve had the car but the S series do tend to 'corner on their door handles' with OE on them. You dont get the go-kart feel that my old Westfield used to provide. You may also want some stiffer springs ? the ones fitted may not be the right rate. but just remember it will never be ultimately stiff unless you invest in like GreenV8S does for example & uses a hard set up for track purposes i'm sure.
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff