Board logo

Steering issue
snapper - 29/4/19 at 06:58 PM

A bit of background first, the car is back in the road “Woo Hoo” Robin Hood monocoque Sierra donor.
Tyres are 195-60-14 on 6” rims pressure 22psi.
It has pretty tight handling as in you can’t shift the rear, I do get slight understeer but the biggest problem is that straight ahead the car feels like it’s stiff to turn then it turns in hard.
Any ideas?

YES I KNOW IT NEEDS A GEO DOING, and I will do that soon.

I would like to know what the collective thinks would cause those symptoms pls


Mr Whippy - 29/4/19 at 08:58 PM

You fitted the wheels upsides down


snapper - 30/4/19 at 06:08 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
You fitted the wheels upsides down


More likely I’ve accidentally swapped the left & right


falcor75 - 30/4/19 at 11:12 AM

I know the orientation of the steering joints can cause binding so that can be one thing to check, jack the front end up and turn the wheel from lock to lock. The resistance should be equal all the way....


russbost - 30/4/19 at 12:49 PM

As Falcor75 says, first check with wheels off the ground to see if steering is consistent or binding somewhere - it obviously can't have been like that at IVA.

Assuming it's free & even on the above check I would be looking at tracking, no idea of correct tracking for a Robin Hood, but I would expect it to toe in slightly. I have a very basic gauge here if you want to check it - instructions on how to make a similar one are on my website under "free stuff" www.furorecars.co.uk

[Edited on 30/4/19 by russbost]


rusty nuts - 30/4/19 at 12:54 PM

The standard Sierra steering column bush can cause binding, I fitted one of the self aligning bearings which made self entering easier as well trying to drive in a straight line.


SteveWalker - 30/4/19 at 02:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by russbost
As Falcor75 says, first check with wheels off the ground to see if steering is consistent or binding somewhere - it obviously can't have been like that at IVA.

Assuming it's free & even on the above check I would be looking at tracking, no idea of correct tracking for a Robin Hood, but I would expect it to toe in slightly. I have a very basic gauge here if you want to check it - instructions on how to make a similar one are on my website under "free stuff" www.furorecars.co.uk

[Edited on 30/4/19 by russbost]


On my Series III (inboard coilovers) with the owners' club recommended modifications (softer [130lb] springs, better dampers and tie-rods rather than the anti-roll bar), parallel was recommended and certainly works well with 195/50/15 tyres and 24psi.

SteveW


David Jenkins - 1/5/19 at 07:37 AM

quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
The standard Sierra steering column bush can cause binding, I fitted one of the self aligning bearings which made self entering easier as well trying to drive in a straight line.


This.

I had a similar problem until I squirted the bush with some penetrating white grease. I also have a self-aligning bearing, but it's still not fitted to the car!


snapper - 6/5/19 at 11:38 AM

On my Series III (inboard coilovers) with the owners' club recommended modifications (softer [130lb] springs, better dampers and tie-rods rather than the anti-roll bar), parallel was recommended and certainly works well with 195/50/15 tyres and 24psi.

I’ve done this....

I had a similar problem until I squirted the bush with some penetrating white grease. I also have a self-aligning bearing,

I’ve done that....

I suspect it needs a proper geo setup, doing the front means popping out the mushrooms, a bit of a pain

The rear has camber wedges

I’ll try and find the base settings for camber caster and toe