Light front end

[wizzer]

A couple of weeks ago I went out for a run in my S2. When I took it a 'little' beyond the legal limit I quickly came down as the front end felt quite light, I wasn't sure if it was the strong wind that was blowing that day or me being beyond bus pass age and not having as much bottle, or is there something wrong with the car. On Saturday, a nice day, no wind I had another go. Once again at 70 plus some, she felt a bit light not as bad as previous I think the strong wind had something to do with it. Does anyone else suffer this, is there a cure other than going slower! What sort of speeds do you feel comfortable taking your S2 up too, I certainly would not feel happy at the stated top speed, even if it were possible!

[Griffinr]

Mines very stable at speeds up to and over a hundred (on track), first thing to check is tyre condition and pressures (22psi front) then its tracking and general wear and tear of ball joints, track rods, rack, bushes, shocks etc. Ran my front tyres at 25psi briefly when I first bought the car and it was all over the place above about 50.

Rob.

[wizzer]

Ball joints, track rod ends and bushes are no more than 1500 miles old. Shocks were replaced about 2,500 miles ago, tyres are good Bridgestones. The shocks are ajustable AVO's, would hardening or softening make a difference, they are set about half way at present. It just feels as if it's lifting in the wind a bit. How do I check the rack, it had some work done on it by the previous owner about 10 years ago thats about 20,000 miles.

Edited by wizzer on Monday 14th February 16:46

Edited by wizzer on Monday 14th February 23:23

[Griffinr]

You have not mentioned tyre pressures, check them with a good quality gauge.
You can check for play in the rack the same as you would check a track rod. When was the tracking last checked?

Rob.

[GreenV8S]

If the suspension has been overhauled recently, check the ride heights. You only have to have a very slight nose-high attitude to introduce some nasty aerodynamic effects at high speed.

Edited by GreenV8S on Monday 14th February 22:28

[phillpot]

Got to agree with Griffinr, check the simple (and cheap) things first, tyre pressures and tracking.

Of course you could make yourself one of these ........



Car didn't feel bad before but now definately quite "comfortable" to 100+ on test track

[DJ8226]

Phillpot would you mind sending me the dimensions (length, width, radius arc, bend angle, gauge of material etc) for your splitter, think I may have a go at making one myself. Thanks Damon

Edited by DJ8226 on Monday 14th February 21:26

[phillpot]

DJ8226 said:

length, width, radius arc, bend angle, gauge of material etc

Its not quite that technical I'm afraid, its cut from a piece of black plastic guttering, about a fiver for a 2 metre length at B&Q

[DJ8226]

Lol - Brilliant, B&Q here I come. Clearly a mispent youth wittling with your pen knife!!! Now where is my swiss army knife.....

[phillpot]

If you search "splitter" on the Chimaera forum (last summer-ish) you should find quite a lengthy thread, various opinions wether should be that way round or this ......



think the pointing forward as on my S "looks" right but either is maybe better than none ???

[tozerman]

[

Surely fitting it this way round will create more lift ?
Cheers.....Tony..

[bobbybo]

Wizzer, i bought my S2 last summer & i get the same floaty feel above 70, im going to get tracking tyre pressure etc checked, before steering rack.

appreciate a mail if you find the problem. Thanks

[wizzer]

Thanks guys for all the useful suggestions, as only to be expected on a forum as good as this.
Taking these on board I put mine up on axle stands today checked all the points suggested. All seemed OK with the exception off the near side tyre being 1pis down. The suggestion about ride hight interests me. It is mentioned in the Steve Heath bible but does not say what it should be, or how one would check it. I have a feeling the rubber mounts of the steering rack are flexing a little although it it difficult to test this I found. I think I will replace them and see what happens. It cant do any harm. I will also get all the steering geometry checked.
The thing is the car is not wandering about as it would if it were worn bushes etc. It feels as if the steering goes a little light as if it was loseing down force. I like the idea of the front splitter, I have some square section plastic gutter kicking about I'm going to see what I can turn out.

[phillpot]

tozerman said:

Surely fitting it this way round will create more lift ?
Cheers.....Tony..

That was the big debate on the original thread that gave me the idea. But on the Chim it certainly reduces bonnet lift at speed, the main reason why I fitted it (obviously not a problem with S's)

Guess anything that encourages air to go under or round the car rather than up into the engine bay will help ??

[GreenV8S]

The only thing that really matters with that air dam under the front of the car is how big the gap is between the bottom edge and the ground. It makes no real difference to the aerodynamics whether it points backwards or forwards. It does make quite a big difference to hope it copes with speed hump impacts though!