Tony said that lowering 35mm on 18's will increase the tramline effect. What is this?? p.s. who knows a good insurance company for a 22 year old?? Direct Line have been the cheapest so far at £1398

The tramline effect is when the front wheels seem to follow camber changes, ruts in the road or even the white centre line.

It is particulary common with the original Bridgestone tyres.

Have you tried http://www.eaglestardirect.co.uk, they were cheapest for me, don't do mods though.

The effect is caused by the properties in the tyre that cause camber thrust.

If you angle a tyre (camber) the tyre produces a lateral force in the direction of the camber..

If you had all your wheels cambered to the left and drove with the wheels pointing straight ahread, the car would crab left as it drove.

When the tyre comes in contact with an uneaven surface it is basically cambered in relation to the road surface so produces a lateral force upwards (towards the highest point of the bit of road the tyre is on).

I can't see how lowering will increase tramlining although it is possible that the changes in geometry reduce the car's natural resistance to tramlining, but..

It just may be that the results of tramlining are felt quicker than on a car with a higher ride height?

All the best

Simon

Another explaination: (please don't flame me if it's wrong!)

It's when your tyres tend to follow a path of least resistance.

This will often require some slight steering input from the driver to correct the direction of travel.

If you have ever actually driven along any disused tram lines, you will have noticed how keen your car is to stay on the rails.

Tramlining is generally undesirable and different tyres/setups cause it more than others.

Rich :)

agreed.. a contributing factor is also the change in rolling resistance at differnt points on the tyre.. but this is also part of the cause of camber thrust.

All the best

Simon

on the insurance thing try privilege cheapest for me (24)

My Fiesta has got a lot worse for tramlining since I put the Yoko A539's on the front. They seem incredibly grippy on smooth roads but it's almost like they're too grippy on the rough, the steering wheel seems to go all over the place. At first I tried to correct it or hold the wheel a bit tighter, having had them on for a month now I find it best to just let it do it's own thing.

Not much to do with the question but I've been meaning to mention it for a while now:rolleyes:

Bob