Castor
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Castor
Hello,
I'm posting in herre since it seems you lot are a bit more knowledgeable about alignment than the general s2k public.
I'm getting a suspension alignment on thursday, and will be using the "UK" specs.
However, it seems that reputable specialists COG are in some cases actually setting castor angles under 6 degrees, whereas the "UK" spec is 6
I'm posting in herre since it seems you lot are a bit more knowledgeable about alignment than the general s2k public.
I'm getting a suspension alignment on thursday, and will be using the "UK" specs.
However, it seems that reputable specialists COG are in some cases actually setting castor angles under 6 degrees, whereas the "UK" spec is 6
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Hertford
Look of the car bibles for more info on geo.
More casrot makes the car's steering heavier, since you need to lift the front more to turn the wheels. This means the car's steering has more friction too, which will reduce feel and makes it rubbery.
It also makes the car more reluctant to deviate from the straight line, with poor turn in.
Great for a motorway cruiser like a Krautwagen, I suppose.
If you want better feel, you need to get rid of the inertia in the electric rack (CR rack?) and the compliance in its rubber mountings. Lighter front calipers & wheels also reduce inertia.
More casrot makes the car's steering heavier, since you need to lift the front more to turn the wheels. This means the car's steering has more friction too, which will reduce feel and makes it rubbery.
It also makes the car more reluctant to deviate from the straight line, with poor turn in.
Great for a motorway cruiser like a Krautwagen, I suppose.
If you want better feel, you need to get rid of the inertia in the electric rack (CR rack?) and the compliance in its rubber mountings. Lighter front calipers & wheels also reduce inertia.
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From: sideways with an OWL!
I'm with Nick, however:
the lower castor angles like mine, give better turn in, although some don't like the lightness it adds to the steering wheel.
The biggest downside for me, and why I'll probably wind it back to 6 from 5 30, is that it's screwing up the camber on hard turns. But this will only affect you if you REALLY push the car hard. And possibly don't have the optimal tyre pressures either.
the lower castor angles like mine, give better turn in, although some don't like the lightness it adds to the steering wheel.
The biggest downside for me, and why I'll probably wind it back to 6 from 5 30, is that it's screwing up the camber on hard turns. But this will only affect you if you REALLY push the car hard. And possibly don't have the optimal tyre pressures either.
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Thanks for the replies to far.
Coming from a Lotus Seven type car, and driving in the Alps a lot, I think I do push the car quite hard, i.e. I can hear the tires in the turns.
For me, turn-in is fine, and among the best I know, but steering feedback and precision is lacking for me. I was hoping to cure this with more castor.
To re-state the original question more clearly:
What are COG trying to achieve by setting lower castor?
Thanks,
Marin
Coming from a Lotus Seven type car, and driving in the Alps a lot, I think I do push the car quite hard, i.e. I can hear the tires in the turns.
For me, turn-in is fine, and among the best I know, but steering feedback and precision is lacking for me. I was hoping to cure this with more castor.
To re-state the original question more clearly:
What are COG trying to achieve by setting lower castor?
Thanks,
Marin
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From: West Midlands
Originally Posted by Marin,Aug 21 2007, 12:15 PM
To re-state the original question more clearly:
What are COG trying to achieve by setting lower castor?
If you want better steering feel then note Nick's suggestions, e.g. stiffer steering bushes.
