caster
Turbo Mini Forums

So my car torque steers like a bitch. I know that I need to probably replace the plate type LSD with an ATB and get some wheels with less dish..

In an effort to make things a little better until then I was going to try some suggestions from the various threads on torque steer and suspension setup.

More caster. Although I've got no means to measure it. At the moment my tie rods are both 345mm from the face that the bush sits on to the centre of the bolt on the lower arm. So thats 345mm + the bush (another 10mm maybe) to the face of the subframe. Steering is very heavy, which make me think it's running lots of caster already. Have I misunderstood the suggested starting point by not taking account of the bush on the tie rod? Is it as easy as using a known measurement of tie rod to get close to a caster angle of choice, or are the subframes etc to variable in dimension?

Second: I was thinking that if I need the contact patch moving inwards to reduce torque steer and I stupidly bought 13x7 deep dish wheels, can I just run a bit more camber than the 1 deg I do now? Anyone think it will help? I'm not too bothered about tyre wear as it's not going to be used much and the tyres aren't that expensive really.

Thoughts? Ideas?

Personally with a plate LSD I'd resist running more caster. You really need to know what it is at the moment before you think about changing it. And measureing from the subframe is never reliable, my car is equal side to side, but the bottom arms and ti-bars are not the same length.

If you fancy a drive up to my house one evening I can measure it all and try a few things. If I still have my corner weight gauges we could check that too to make sure it's not way out.

I think that the main issue is the LSD though (as you already know). what ramp angles does it have?

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I've got one of those cheepo magnetic camber/caster gauges you can borrow if you like.

Jamie, do you have any rubber in your front suspension?


carl

WWW.FORCE-RACING.CO.UK PLEASE CLICK HERE

Carl, Not rubber, it's all poly bushes as opposed to rose joints.

Wil, cheers, that sounds like a fantastic offer. I'll be in touch sometime before Avon. Got to fix a couple of other bits before driving too far from the garage! No idea on the ramp angles, it's an ebay special salisbury one that I got in a gearbox, figured it was worth a try before spending £££

Andy, a good idea. Worth getting an idea if it's miles out as it is. I'll be in touch this week.

You are gonig yo struggle to get thnigs under control unless you eliminate the movement at the pickup points, and from what i have seen of poly bushes they are softer then origional rubber, or the purplecoloured ones i saw fitted some of my Metro bott arms most certasinly were and oi advised the owner to return to rubber.


carl

WWW.FORCE-RACING.CO.UK PLEASE CLICK HERE

As Carl says, the movement in the suspension is the problem. I had the same issues until I changed to all rod end suspension. Also try reducing your front toe setting

I seriously doubt it!