15 replies to this topic

[jackson-minis]

Hi, need advice on some issues if any of you guys can help would appriciate it.
Basically had my car setup, geometry angles castor, camber, toe etc now the gent set the caster to 5 degrees which doesnt feel quite right to be honest, i asked for 3 degrees as thats what i was advised on here by many who know what they are talking about but the reply i recieved off him was "if you want to believe everythin thats said on the bloody forums by them know it all's i don't want to do it" to which i was quite surprised to be honest because i felt as though i could discuss anythin i wanted to with him. anyway left him to it and recieved it back with these settings... appriciate any oppinions by the way

Front:
castor: 5 degrees
camber: -1 degree
toe out: -0.06 degrees

Rear:
camber - 0 degree
toe in - 0.17 degree

Basically if i wanted to adjust the castor back towards three degrees what i want to know if roughly how much effect does one rotation of the adjustable tie bar have in degrees?

cheers guys
Gazz

[miniobsessed]

Why would he set it to 5 if you asked for 3??? Especially given the ARG Service Manual states the caster should be 3 (plus minus) 1...

IIRC (but don't quote me) it's about 100 thou per degree.

All that being said... A 5 degree caster setting should give the steering a much more positive 'self straightening' feel coming out of corners which some people prefer (me included).

[asmith88]

interested in this because i have adjustable tie bars and i have never been able to check the castor angle? how did he do it?

[icklemini]

most odd: usually 5 degs gives a good feel to the steering... generally the lower the castor the less positive the steering feels...

how did he do it?

with a castor gauge... i use a dunlop one... can do it with a camber gauge and some maths too...

[bmcecosse]

Yes - the more castor the better - as long as you can handle the heavy steering. It promotes more negative-on-lock so was correct to do it - although he should have agreed it with you first! I would say the rear toe-in looks excessive - are you sure this is not the problem ?? They would be better set parallel - or just the tiniest amount of toe-in.

[icklemini]

I would say the rear toe-in looks excessive

0.17 degree of toe in is about 1mm toe in....

are you sure this is not the problem

the age old 'trick' of lining the rear wheels to the front can lead to a problem when setting the tracking parallel.. you can easily end up with one side toe-ing out, the other toe-ing in.. but the total toe still reads 'toe-in'

Edited by icklemini, 02 August 2010 - 10:28 PM.

[bmcecosse]

Which is too much.......I think - but each to their own!

Edited by bmcecosse, 02 August 2010 - 10:29 PM.

[samsfern]

i dont think 1mm toe in at the rear is too much. thats what i run. i think the standard rover setting is 1/8", so about 3.17mm...

Edited by samsernie, 02 August 2010 - 10:51 PM.

[jackson-minis]

Thanks for the replies everyone! it does actually feel good to be honest the only reason i ask is because im all out of ideas for solving my problem. The problem i have is that when turning left when driving enthusiastic the car feels as though it rolls more and the back end comes out, if you are not quick/ reactive with the steering it could potentially catch you out however when going round a right hand corner the car feels extremely planted and grips well. I love the car to bits spent two years restoring it to the condition its in now and its great looking at it but the only thing thats letting the car down is the oversteer round left hand corners. to solve the problem i fitted gaz adjustable lowered suspension with hi-lo's, all new nuckles, then bought a minispares adjustable geometry kit and got it set up to the specifications above. i even fitted a new rubber cone to the right front thinking it might be too much give in the cone or something (really getting desperate) but it still does it. i checked the tyre pressures there all perfect and have tryed them at different settings im lost to be honest guys anyone suggest anything? front is polybushed, new teardrops and rear subby mounts all new bushed in bottom arms and tie bars and tower bolts.
sorry for the long read just dont know what to do next?
thanks gazz

Edited by jackson-minis, 03 August 2010 - 07:44 PM.

[Turbo Nick]

if you're anywhere near northampton go and see dave (icklemini) if he can't make it handle nice then no-one can imo.

[icklemini]

The problem i have is that when turning left when driving enthusiastic the car feels as though it rolls more and the back end comes out, if you are not quick/ reactive with the steering it could potentially catch you out however when going round a right hand corner the car feels extremely planted and grips well

Yep seen this lots and its usually down to the the way the rear tracking has been setup..
the closer to parallel the tracking is... the worse it symptoms you describe become...

If you are close to northampton: i can check the rear for you for free to see if my suspicions are right


Have also seen a similar problem when hi-los have been setup completly wrong and so the corner weights were miles out!

TTFN,
Dave

Edited by icklemini, 03 August 2010 - 09:49 PM.

[jackson-minis]

I know he's the bee's knees so will be getting in touch, about three hours from me but will be the perfect run to run my new engine in. just so confused as to why after gettin it set up its still doing this so frustrating haha

[jackson-minis]

sorry ickle mini was writing and didnt see your reply haha, im thinking that to be honest it just doesnt feel right and the guy didnt give me great confidence. wreckon you'd be able to sort her out?

[icklemini]

yeah

(hows that for a cocky confidant response!)

[jackson-minis]

Haha i like it! will be end of the month, just need to iron out a few engine niggles then will definately be in touch , its the only thing thats really getting to me and putting me off if im honest. gets you down when you look then it doesnt drive as well as it looks aha