[Banstead Stig]

Afternoon.

Just picked the car up after having it's winter boots put on... predictably it is nice and warm outside and the sun is shining. However, I'm sure that won'te last long!

Also had the alignment checked. As suspected the toe was all kinds of wrong! Now been put back to sensible all round, so hopefully it will take care of the uneven tyre wear and improve the feel (which alerted me to the fact someething was amiss in any event).

I only had the toe adjusted as I wanted to see how it went. The camber on the rear isn't adjustable and on the front was less extreme negative than come guys seem to run, but I didn't feel compelled to change until I'd seen how it handles. In my mind that is sensible... I'm sure someone will tell me why I am wrong!

What would more negative camber at the front actually do? I haven't read all the thread Fivos posted the other day yet...!

 

[fpan]

You will enjoy the car a lot more with the winter tyres Gareth, good move

More front -ve camber increases grip at the front.

The camber at the rear isn't adjustable as such but make sure it is symmetric in both sides.

I had the upper holes (where they attach at the hub) of the shocks machined to gain more camber (wrong manufacturing tolerances since my suspension is hand made I think).

 

[Banstead Stig]

You will enjoy the car a lot more with the winter tyres Gareth, good move

More front -ve camber increases grip at the front.

The camber at the rear isn't adjustable as such but make sure it is symmetric in both sides.

I had the upper holes (where they attach at the hub) of the shocks machined to gain more camber (wrong manufacturing tolerances since my suspension is hand made I think).

Looking at the read outs the camber is very slightly different (left and right) on both front and rear. Your post suggests that's a problem then. :icon_sad:

 

[fpan]

Looking at the read outs the camber is very slightly different (left and right) on both front and rear. Your post suggests that's a problem then. :icon_sad:

I wouldn't worry if it's different on the second decimal digit, that's fine It would be very difficult to get it absolutely equal on both sides. And with a wind change you know the gauge is going to show a different setting anyway

 

[Banstead Stig]

So, for example, 0°35' and 0°39', fine... 0°25' and 0°50', not fine?

 

[fpan]

0°35' and 0°39' that's OK

0°25' and 0°50 would need some work I guess (loosening both holes of the hub and move the shock around to get it equal) but I could be talking BS!

Still not a massive difference considering how little -ve camber anyway.

 

[Gigsy]

So, for example, 0°35' and 0°39', fine... 0°25' and 0°50', not fine?

Yes, I'd not worry about 0°35' vs 0°39' but I would sort out 0°25' vs 0°50'.

 

[Gigsy]

Still not a massive difference considering how little -ve camber anyway.

But enough to cause uneven wear.... especially if you were turning right a lot :biggrin: (inside edge of RH tyre would wear slightly more than inside edge of LH tyre in a straight line and outside edge of LH tyre when turning right as it would likely push into positive camber compared to outside edge of RH tyre).

 

[Banstead Stig]

I'll have a look at the printout, but think the difference at the front was a bigger margin rather than a smaller margin.

The chap that did the work did note that it was within the tolerance though, so I'm not going to **** my pants over it.

Can't really spend any more this month!

 

[Southeastpete]

Snap! What tyres did you go for? I got geolander ats but need to get a spare alloy to fit spare to as just have space saver...

 

[Banstead Stig]

Hankook W310.

They are like tractor tyres compared to the Vred Sessantas that came off. :lol:

You watch, it'll be the mildest winter ever now!!

 

[Gigsy]

Hankook W310.

They are like tractor tyres compared to the Vred Sessantas that came off. :lol:

You watch, it'll be the mildest winter ever now!!

Hope so, my first winter without Subaru AWD for nearly 10 years! :biggrin:

 

[Southeastpete]

im hoping for loads of snow to play in!

 

[Banstead Stig]

3℃ at Gatwick this morning.

How's that for inspired timing?!

 

[Scc28]

6 deg here!

 

[Banstead Stig]

Given that you live ooop North I imagine that's practically Summer. :N_poke:

 

[Scc28]

if its not raining its summer!!

 

[Banstead Stig]

if its not raining its summer!!

Ha ha.

Not been my experience from years of Old Trafford test matches in the supposed "summer"!

 

[fpan]

I'll have a look at the printout, but think the difference at the front was a bigger margin rather than a smaller margin.

The chap that did the work did note that it was within the tolerance though, so I'm not going to **** my pants over it.

Can't really spend any more this month!

Where did you have the alignment done Gareth?
Is that in the little village not far from Dan's garage?
If you take it back they should fix it for free as although within tolerances it seems the general consensus is that it should be pretty equal.
It's what distinguishes a good place where people aim for perfection and an OK one where "that will do".

 

[Banstead Stig]

The place is in Guildford.

To be fair to them, they told me it was within tolerance when agreeing what to do, so I was only charged for front and rear toe adjustment, not a full set up. Because it was on the phone whilst I was at work I didn't have chance to run through the numbers with them.

I'll check the paperwork later and get on it.

The key point of all this is that with the toe sorted it feels so much better!