Straight Line Handling

[martins]

Elise 111R.

Noticed lately that at a certain speed (60 - 80MPH) the front of my car goes a little 'light' and can weave slightly like it is tramlining. Goes away again if you go a little faster and is only an issue on straights and not in bends. Have no steering wobble or vibration. Recently changed tyres but this was there before the change. Have also checked the wheels are on tight and nothing is loose. Also checked nothing broken up front and all appears in order.

Any similar issues or ideas?

Martin

[graeme]

Get the geo checked, or get some sticks and string and a steel rule and DIY. Sounds like it might be a bit too parallel and in need of a bit of toe out.

[steve_weegie]

Sounds like this is a geo problem, perhaps caused by having too much toe out on the front wheels. Have you had a geo setup done recently? These cars are pretty sensitive to alignment and getting it "dialed back in" may well transform the car for you... Certainly did for me, as the last time it was checked it was all over the place!

[steve_weegie]

Get the geo checked, or get some sticks and string and a steel rule and DIY. Sounds like it might be a bit too parallel and in need of a bit of toe out.

Graeme, toe out will sharpen up the turn in at the expense of straight line stability... Opposite is true for toe in

[mikeep]

I'd second getting a full geo done.

My car was a bit squirmy in a straight line and also suffered from quite a bit of understeer.

Both issues were taken car of after a full geo.

[graeme]

Get the geo checked, or get some sticks and string and a steel rule and DIY. Sounds like it might be a bit too parallel and in need of a bit of toe out.

Graeme, toe out will sharpen up the turn in at the expense of straight line stability... Opposite is true for toe in

This is why I never attempt to service my own cars.

[martins]

Cheers guys. Last Geo was a 'waspy' setup and after invesitaging it turns out that this dials out the understeer at the expense of straight line stability. Will leave as is for now unless it gets worse......

[Andy G]

i wouldnt leave it.

Go and see Willie at CLCM - dialing out understeer at the expense of straight-line stability is crazy! (and there no need to give up on straightline stability)

Willie may even have the settings he used for my old 111r on file, SN04 BZR (i think!), and it handled perfectly. Infact if my current race car handled as well as that did i'd be doing a good bit better i suspect. So confidence inspiring.

You'll be wonder why you waited when you got it re-done. Dont risk yourself or the car.

Trust me, qually at Brands showed my just "how" bad a bad geo can be!

[martins]

CLCM are in Edinburgh. Any idea of who to trust up in the Northeast.

[steve_weegie]

I've heard some good stuff about Clark Motorsport near Kintore IIRC...

I run the 340r road settings on mine, which i think is a pretty good compromise. Have you still got the 175 profile front tyres on the car? A swap to a 195 profile will give you more front end grip with a less aggressive geo...

[martins]

Will get in touch with Clark Motorsport. Any idea of cost?

Have recently fitted 195/50 on the front as that seemed to be the general consensus on way to go and it has made the cornering even more fun, in a 'scare your passengers witless even at legal speeds' sort of way........