Handling Issue
 

I don't know if anyone has come across this problem before but my Spec C's handling is amiss, it's hard to describe but it doesn't feel as 'planted' as before. I've also been told that it's cocking a wheel up on roundabouts. :brickwall

I have the following modifications carried out to the suspension:

STi Front Strut Brace
Uprated STi Shock Absorbers
Prodrive Lowering Springs
Perrin 25MM Rear Anti Roll Bar
Perrin Rear Anti Roll Bar Stout Mounts
Whiteline 22MM Front Anti Roll Bar
CDF Racing Uprated Drop Links
Perrin Rear Diff Lockdown Kit and Subframe Locking Bolts

The ride has always been firm and as it's a weekend toy I don't mind that but at the moment it's a real pig. :(

My initial thoughts were rear drop links / anti roll bar / shock absorbers but they all appear to be ok and the suspension geometry was recently setup by Melvyn Evans Motorsport so I am confident that is all ok.

Any suggestions what to check next welcome.

What setting is the rear ARB on Ty???

It's on the hardest setting I believe Boyd, I was thinking on trying the softest setting to see what kind of difference it makes.

Is your setup similar? :)

Almost exactly the same mate but I'm on BC coilovers. I moved my ARB to the softest setting from the stiffest and preferred it. Slightly more forgiving on the typical British road. Dare say on a smooth track Tye stiffest setting would be better??

I'll give it a try and see what it's like, cheers Boyd. :thumb:

Has your mate got any further with his 'problem'?

:eek:

You don't want one of them on a road car Ty :nono:

22mm Whiteline on medium/hard setting is your best bet :thumb:

Ty. Roll centre adjusters..... watch the video (its only 4 minutes), but the bit Im on about is about 1min 40sec in.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGHrA2B0lgE

No mate, can't see that being resloved anytime soon :(

Whiteline roll centre is the next suspension mod I've got planned. Been highly recomended

The point people miss is that on sloppy std. suspension the ARB does a fantastic job in patching up the handling.

If you have gone to coilovers, you have gained the roll-stiffness already, so you have less need for a really stiff rear ARB.

All IMHO.

dunx

To be honest I don't think the rear anti roll bar is really any issue, other than perhaps adjusting it to a softer setting. I'm going to try the softer setting and see if it makes a large difference. :)

I have never heard of those roll centre adjusters but I can see the point of them now I know what they do, I'll have to give Indigo-GT a ring to see if I can beat them down on price. ;)

Shame your mate can't get it sorted amicably but I think the time for that has passed, also waving money (willy waving) and saying (reading between the lines) take me to court if you dare is just not cricket. :Suspiciou

Now I know about this roll centre modification I will sort it out. :thumb:

I did have coilovers on the car when I first had it, but I took them off and reverted the car back to STi shock absorbers with Prodrive lowering springs.

I'm beginning to think it's a combination of the rear anti roll bar and the rear diff / subframe lock down kit making the rear end too rigid. So I am going to move the anti roll bar to a softer setting and fit a roll centre kit and see what difference it makes. :)

Is there anyone local with a 22mm bar u can swap in, its a 5 mins job and may really help.

Soften things up.
I`ve known of loads of people changing their suspension setups and then throwing money at sorting the problem, that was caused from the suspension being too firm and unforgiving.

It`s all well and good having it set up for Donnington/Silverstone in the Dry, but that makes it skittish on B-Roads in the wet. This is where the standard uprated setup was best, as it was a compromise between dry performance, and wet handling.

Also you said you had it "set-up" what did you have it set up for??
As geometry will have a MASSIVE effect on the handling, but if your cocking a wheel thats usually too firm an anti-roll bar.

I will try the softer setting first, and then if no joy then I will look at borrowing a 22mm bar. I had a 22mm bar on my Hawkeye and that was set to the middle setting and it was a good compromise between handling and comfort. :)

The geometry setup is to Prodrive road settings (fast road I believe most would call it) as per their instructions when using their lowering springs.

I am of the same opinion as you and that is that the rear end is too rigid and would be great for track but does not have enough movement for road use. :brickwall

Bloody hell that means we've nearly agreed on two things now. :cry:

Lol.

Tbh I`m always sceptical about "Prodrive Settings" as each car is different, your`s isn`t the standard car with just a set of springs added.

Me I`d slacken the rar ARB to the softest it will go, and then see what that does, but to test your better off giving to to Dylan to drive, as in the best possible sense you drive like a grand dad lol.

I listen to the only man who I trust, me !

LOL

Actually it's John Felstead on 22B !

dunx

I know he's a regular walking taking encyclopaedia of useful facts, hints and tips. :)

I've ordered a roll centre kit today from Indigo GT, I've done some reading on it today and it seems a very worthwhile mod to carry out.

Wanna get me a set of alloy droplinks and ALK?? lol.

But where you going to get it all set up though??

Not sure yet, either Indigo GT, Melvyn Evans Motorsport or I might even take a spin up to Powerstation where I can put it on their rollers or wait for Indigo to get their RR installed. :wonder:

Have a chat with that guy mentioned in a post above

As if it were me I`d say what I want the ride to be, and what I`d use it for, and get a few opinions on what they recommend. All well and good going for "Prodrive" settings, but what are those settings for?? You obviously don`t like the setup, so try something else.

No mention of an ALK and droplinks for me tho :cry:

I found the ALK to be quite costly for the gain...

The roll centre kit won't work effectively on mine as it isn't more than -10mm on ride height.

A few years ago somebody altered the rear toe on my car and turned it into a damp road suicide machine... it didn't feel stable at 60 mph on a gentle curve. Once a less aggressive set-up was restored the car handled fine.

As you say, what do you do ?, where you are doing it ?, and can you drive it ? Are all pertinent questions.

All IMHO.

dunx

So am I, only the kids at work are into Justin B.

LOL

dunx

:thumb:

I needed to reevaluate the whole suspension tweaking thing after having nagging issues with the last Scooby I went to town on with Whiteline kit.

Whiteline's ALK is indeed pricey, and a much better result can be achieved with a cheaper castor kit

The extended ball joints are a worthwhile addition, but the track rod ends are not

Also, Whiteline itself lost a bit of confidence with me. Production has been farmed out to North Korea a couple of years ago, R&D budget slashed, marketing budget increased, along with production tolerances too!

Shiny products that may not work comes to my mind? But I'm not bitter :)

Ty take a trip to Powerstation or Litchfield for set up