Heavy steering after mods any advice?
 

Hi,
I have been upgrading the handling on my classic for doing track days.
I put Tein coil-overs on to the car and rear white line anti roll bar with uprated drop links and the difference was amazing. I then started on the front. The front anti roll bar was fitted and the handling of the car was even better. Last week I had the Cdf drop links and alk, alloy wishbones and white line bump steer kit fitted and they were all brand new.
When I got the car back, the steering was really heavy and did not feel right.
I took it to get the tracking done to make sure everything is okay and get some negative camber on.
Although it helped a little, the steering changes from heavy to light and I seem to now get oversteer even at low speeds.
The power-steering is working, the power-steering motor is working, the fluid is full and the belt is in good condition.
It was supposed to handle like a go kart not a milk float.
I took the car to CDF racing and they said that everything looks like it's fitted correctly apart from the two 5mm spacers, which are not fitted with the drop links. However, the mechanic said that if these are fitted then the drop links would be at a greater angle.
I am based in kent and was wondering if any one can help or pass me onto someone that would.
Thanks,
Graeme

Hi Graeme

What ARB's you have fitted at front and at rear,on what setting you have them(I mean hole on the ARB's)

Do you have Wheel alignment printout,if you could post this

In Kent area I would contact Neil@Slowboy racing,he is based just outside the Brands Hatch and second who I would contact is Dixon@Dixon Motorsport(he is based just Erith,Dartford)

But I would speak in both case with Neil@Slowboy racing


Jura

One thing contributing to your heavier steering is the increase in caster with the ALK. The ALK adds about .5 deg positive caster. Additional caster will make your steering heavier. I personally like this additional steering weight as I feel the Impreza steering is way too light from the factory. It also increases the self centering effect. Read up on the performance benefits of more caster.

You are now experiencing oversteer because you have significantly increased your front end grip (more caster, more neg camber, larger front ARB). When are you experiencing oversteer? If there is too much for you, there are few things you can do to calm it down (reduce rear ARB stiffness, more rear neg camber, less front camber, etc. etc.)

I have 22mm whiteline arb on front with the drop links in first hole. The rear is 24mm and set in the middle hole. Will put the print out up if I can get it to work. It was stiff at the back before but it was really easy to control but now the car seems to be driving like there is a tank of water in it swaying about. Would my ride height be a factor now the new wishbones are level?

Drop links
 

Photo of drop link angle

Tracking part 1
 

Tracking part 1

Tracking part 2
 

Tracking part 2

Tracking part 3
 

Tracking part 3

Tracking part 4
 

Tracking part 4

Tracking part 5
 

Tracking part 5

Tracking part 6
 

Tracking part 6

I personally don't like the angle that drop link sits at but i dont think it will have an effect on the steering weight. Also your rear toe is slightly out of spec.

We are running Front camber -2.00 and at rear -1.50 and car feels great,what tyres you are running?

What ride height you have right now,our wagon is lowered and still we have great handling.

Speak to the Neil@Slowboy racing and Dixon@Dixon Motorsport


Jura