Board logo

Self Centring
Guinness - 24/9/05 at 10:44 AM

One of my (many) SVA fail points was lack of self centring action.

I have an BEC Indy, running 185/60R14's at 30 psi.

I have just been to ATS (only place open on Sat am) and got them to put 1 degree (or 5mm) of toe out on it.

But on the drive home it didn't feel any different.

Any suggestions?

More toe out, lower tyre pressures or anything else.

Cheers

Mike

indykid - 24/9/05 at 12:59 PM

yes, yes, and make sure your rack is well greased.

i had about 2.5 degrees toe out, and about 16psi. dunno what it'd be like to drive it like that, but at sva, it self centred really well, right back to straight ahead and he was more than happy.

tom

12a RX-7 - 24/9/05 at 03:54 PM

you need to adjust the caster not the toe.

Hellfire - 24/9/05 at 04:03 PM

We had lots of toe-out did the job too.

zetec - 24/9/05 at 07:53 PM

Toe out for sure, as much as poss, makes the car crap to drive but keeps SVA man happy. Also tyre presure is very high most run 16-20psi.

JoelP - 24/9/05 at 09:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 12a RX-7
you need to adjust the caster not the toe.


toe as a temporary solution works, obviously not a perminant fix. Mine has anti selfcentering!

Peteff - 24/9/05 at 11:42 PM

Try using standard wheels with narrow tyres. If the steering's heavy you won't feel much self centring effect.

scotlad - 25/9/05 at 09:59 AM

ditto toe out. worked for me, though now i have a quick rack fitted, it does no self centring at all!

Grahame L - 25/9/05 at 07:38 PM

Sorry to hijack thread but I have SVA in two weeks and have a quick rack fitted!! Does this mean no self centreing no matter how much toe out/ tyre pressure reduction i put on?

Stu16v - 25/9/05 at 07:55 PM

Everything else being equal, a quick rack will actually work in your favour...

Grahame L - 25/9/05 at 07:59 PM

How do ya meen Stu? Please explain!!!

Stu16v - 25/9/05 at 08:55 PM

Because the 'uprated' gearing of the quickrack means that whilst it is harder for the driver to turn the steering wheel (becasue of the gearing), it also means that the wheels now have more of a mechanical advantage when trying to turn the steering shaft/UJ's etc back to centre.

Or. so it can be pictured more easily, think of it like the gearbox in a car. First gear is akin to a standard rack, easy for the engine to get the car rolling (the driver turnnig the steering wheel), but the car would find it harder to spin the engine - downhill for instance (the wheels trying to self centre).
However, bung it in forth, and it is now much harder for the engine to move the car (now more effort required, but things move faster at the other end!), but conversely this gear would offer little in terms of engine braking, and turns the engine easily (wheels dragging steering linkage back to centre).

HTH Stu.

[Edited on 25/9/05 by Stu16v]

Grahame L - 25/9/05 at 09:07 PM

Yes now you've edxplained it does make sence!! Thanks Stu!! Ever thought of teaching???