Elise S2 111R Steering feel

Elise S2 111R Steering feel

Author
Discussion

enskr

Original Poster:

2 posts

165 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
quotequote all
Hi Everyone
Just bought a standard series 2 Elise 111R and have a question/problem with the steering feel. Basically the steering feedback just either side of the straight ahead position feels too light to me, and hopping back and forth between this and my friends S1 we both think it is nowhere near as "talkative", it drives like you might expect if it to if it had too much toe out.
I have the chassis alignment checked twice now, and although they didn't agree with each other, both made minor adjustments which didn't seem to make any difference to this problem. Tyres are the recommended Bridgestone Potenza RE040 175/55 R16 and pressures are correct. Dropping pressures 4 psi also didn't make much difference.
Mileage is 72k, no evidence of any accident damage anywhere, suspension bushes, dampers etc all appear OK.
I guess the next thing to try would be some alternative tyres? Seem to be lots of opinions on these, but before I explore this I wondered if anyone had encountered the same problem, or may have some good advice on this issue? I know the S1 has a faster steering rack so this may be part of the difference.
Thanks in anticipation!

Kevin

The Bandit

788 posts

202 months

Sunday 13th February 2011
quotequote all
How old are the tyres and what pressure are you running at?

Gooby

9,268 posts

241 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
What geo are you running?

enskr

Original Poster:

2 posts

165 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
Tyres pressures 26/29 psi F/R, although I also tried 22/29 but it didn't appear to make a big difference. I'm unsure of the age of the tyres, but given the remaining tread and usage pattern I would be surprised if they were older than 18 months.

Geometry wise, there is a little bit of doubt as to which (if either!) of the two companies who have set it up have done it properly, but the figures from the later one are:
Front Toe in: zero (spec says -0.5 to +0.7mm)
Front camber: -0.25° both sides (spec says +0.1 to -0.3° or -0.1° to -0.5° depending on Standard Elise or Roadsport Elise - which is mine? either way its within spec!)

I welcome your thoughts!

The Bandit

788 posts

202 months

Monday 14th February 2011
quotequote all
enskr said:
Tyres pressures 26/29 psi F/R, although I also tried 22/29 but it didn't appear to make a big difference. I'm unsure of the age of the tyres, but given the remaining tread and usage pattern I would be surprised if they were older than 18 months.

Geometry wise, there is a little bit of doubt as to which (if either!) of the two companies who have set it up have done it properly, but the figures from the later one are:
Front Toe in: zero (spec says -0.5 to +0.7mm)
Front camber: -0.25° both sides (spec says +0.1 to -0.3° or -0.1° to -0.5° depending on Standard Elise or Roadsport Elise - which is mine? either way its within spec!)

I welcome your thoughts!
Firstly try 23f/25r cold pressures,it really does make a difference.
Secondly, who did the geo?
Could be wrong here but i thought the front should toe out around 1mm?And you could do with more front camber, -1.0° or so?
Never heard of a Roadsport Elise....?

Awaits expert to confirm/correct smile