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Gettting alignment done

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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 02:18 AM
  #1  
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Default Gettting alignment done

looked at the FAQ, there are original and updated settings to resolve 'tramlining' type behaviour i'm guessing.

what do people use? i'm thinking original as i dont suffer the latter such that it bothers me and i feel like that's part of the idea of the car
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 02:25 AM
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I suppose if you don't like tramlining (usually a problem for those with wheels of the incorrect offset) a tad more caster helps.

I dislike too much caster, so I use:

Caster 5°45'
Camber -0°30'
Toe 0°00'
Total Toe 0°00'

REAR:

Camber -1°30'
Toe 0°20'
Total Toe 0°40'
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 02:45 AM
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I dislike too much caster, so I use:

Caster 6°05'
Camber -1°00'
Toe 0°00'
Total Toe 0°00'

REAR:

Camber -2°00'
Toe 0°25'
Total Toe 0°50'

The extra toe makes for a nice stable back end.

Take your pick, neither setup is "right" as such.
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 03:14 AM
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Great timing. I'm getting my alignment done next week and was going to stick with OEM settings for my 2005 car. Car is standard with the exception of being lowered on Eibach springs.

I'll need to dig out my settings from last time.
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 03:46 AM
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are LG and Nick alter egos?

The base settings are


Front
Caster Left 6"00
Caster Right 6"00
Camber Left -0"30
Camber Right -0"30

Total Toe 0"00
Toe Left 0"00
Toe Right 0"00

Rear
Camber Left -1"30
Camber Right -1"30
Total Toe 1"00
Toe Left 0"30
Toe Right 0"30

my very basic understanding is that

Caster is for stability in a straight line, it counteracts camber as i understand it, ie if you have a bit of camber you'll need some caster to offset that really, this makes the wheels follow the direction of the car? The shopping trolley anology is a good one, you move the steering pivot in front of the contact patch thereby dragging the wheel in a given direction. if you have lots of caster

Camber - if you have negative camber, ie the tyres lean in at the top, you get more grip in corners as you load them up and they
straighten but screw your tyres if you're on the motorway all day

Toe - if you have negative toe at the front this would make the car more keen to turn but potentially reduce straight line stability? the rear just affects straight line stability more and steering less?

SO LG you're trying to corner quicker, sacrificing your tyres and stability and Nick you're dialling out some Toe for more agility and caster for a bit more feel? is that fair or am i missing loads of subtlety?
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 04:11 AM
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I'm right, of course!

I'm also much faster

Caster - see here for my feelings on this: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/981...t__p__22047574
Lots of camber won't screw your tyres particularly, toe has more of an effect.
Rear toe effects how "loose" the rear is. Low toe means a slidey car, lots means a sticky car with a more sudden let go. Lots also helps stability under braking.

It's obviously a lot more complicated than that, but those are my simpleton feelings. HTH
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 04:45 AM
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cheers LG
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 04:46 AM
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Here's how mine was set last time, any suggestions to modify or stick with? As I mentioned above, just lowered on Eibach's. Car is primarily used for week blasts so tyre wear isn't an issue.


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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 05:06 AM
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Originally Posted by SCZ4
Here's how mine was set last time, any suggestions to modify or stick with? As I mentioned above, just lowered on Eibach's. Car is primarily used for week blasts so tyre wear isn't an issue.
IIRC, You were complaining about a lack of steering feel, so some more caster might help with that. More camber all round will be more what people call "fast road" and will make things a bit more zippy.

Personally I'd go for a bit more rear toe too, if only to get heat into the tyres a bit more quickly up there in chilly jockland!
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Old Mar 15, 2013 | 05:11 AM
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Originally Posted by lovegroova
IIRC, You were complaining about a lack of steering feel, so some more caster might help with that. More camber all round will be more what people call "fast road" and will make things a bit more zippy.

Personally I'd go for a bit more rear toe too, if only to get heat into the tyres a bit more quickly up there in chilly jockland!
Thanks mate, yeah steering feel (or lack of) is the only think I don't like about the car, but looks like my caster is low anyway. I think I'll hand them your recommended settings. Can all of the below be set without adjustable toe arms and other fancy trick bits?


Front:
Caster 6°05'
Camber -1°00'
Toe 0°00'
Total Toe 0°00'

REAR:
Camber -2°00'
Toe 0°25'
Total Toe 0°50'
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