matt.c
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 posted on 8/1/08 at 12:06 AM |
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CORNER WEIGHTING
What this i hear about corner weighting cars with bathroom scales? Does it really work? I know its not going to be race standards but as a locost
option it sound a good idea. Has anyone had any sucess with this method? The only reasion that i ask is that i have been told to have the car corner
weighted before i do the tracking/camber/caster etc.
Sorry if this has been covered before. If it has then please feel free to show me the thread.
Many thanks
matt
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andylancaster3000
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 12:23 AM |
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Yes it can be done pretty easily to get a fairly reliable result. The trouble is that sevens start to become too heavy for most bathroom scales.
However, I've heard of people buying 8 of the asda basic bathroom scales at £3 each (pretty locost! ) and straddling each wheel across two on a
bit of 2X8. Obvioulsy you'll have to mind the fact that the likely tolerances in accuracy on a £3 set of bath scales which are going to be
pretty low.
It needs to be done on a level surface to achieve accurate results too.
HTH
ANdy
[Edited on 8/1/08 by andylancaster3000]
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 12:36 AM |
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a quarry or scrap yard with a weigh bridge might help you out. That's how I got the axel weights for my buggy and they even were able to give me
a printout as proof.
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worX
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 06:05 AM |
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I really don't think that a weigh-bridge is going to help him out with Corner Weighting, to be honest!
Steve
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
a quarry or scrap yard with a weigh bridge might help you out. That's how I got the axel weights for my buggy and they even were able to give me
a printout as proof.
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Humbug
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 07:29 AM |
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They might... would it work if you drive each corner in turn onto the weighbridge pad? Could give at least an idea of corner weights.
quote:
Originally posted by worX
I really don't think that a weigh-bridge is going to help him out with Corner Weighting, to be honest!
Steve
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
a quarry or scrap yard with a weigh bridge might help you out. That's how I got the axel weights for my buggy and they even were able to give me
a printout as proof.
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matt_claydon
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 08:16 AM |
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It would work as long as the floor around the weighbridge where the other wheels sit is exactly level with the bridge.
Remeber for corner weighting a level floor is key. You are using (say) 250lb/inch springs so for every mm of movement the spring loses or gains 10lb.
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procomp
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 08:32 AM |
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Hi with so many companys over the country with the right profesional setup charging £30 to cornerweigh your cars. why is it nessecery to use bathroom
scales to acicve a result that is going to be so inacurate.
Cheers Matt
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v8kid
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 12:43 PM |
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I use a simple lever system and bathroom scales to corner weigh my car. It is repeatable so presumably reasonably accurate and I've been using
it for 3 years now.
I check corner weights every time I alter the suspension setup/ springs/camber/toe so at £30 a time the costs would mount up.
At one of our sprint meetings I used it them to set up another competitors Radical and the difference was quite noticable.
One very important point already noted is that the scales have to be on a flat plane or megabuck or locost scales alike the results will be rubbish.`
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Bob C
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 03:22 PM |
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another "popcorn" topic..... I'd say DIY is definately better than nothing and probably better than most 'can't be
arsed' pros, but a pukka pro job will have the right gear and will do it better and easier/quicker than you.
second everything said about level floor & doing at least a complete axle at once. I also sat my car on its brake discs on the scales to take away
variability of tyres & pressures & some of the weight on the scales.
Bob
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v8kid
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 08:16 PM |
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Bob's got a good point without doubt a "pro" will do a better job than an amateur - first time. And it will be quicker - first time.
It may or may not be right as well.
It will not however add one jot to your understanding of what is happening and the "pro" will not take the time to chop and change or to
actually try it out on the road, change settings, try it again, think overnight on the results, try again untill you understand what is happening and
get the car just right for you. Not for £30 he won't.
Also using a "pro" is a bit of a cop out from the locost ethos which is part of the fun. Also one thing leads to another and if you have
the tools you will be encouraged to explore other areas, changing frequency, roll stiffness and fore/aft balance are less hastle when you know you can
set the suspension up to its optimum.
I have seen some "pro's" who are frankly chancers who can't even understand the scale correctly let alone claim to be
professional engineers. Good "pro's" will bring a wealth of experience and professionalism built out of theoretical knowledge and
experience which you can't buy cheaply.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 8/1/08 at 08:23 PM |
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Matt , I have a Pace corner weight gauge you can borrow .
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