Issue:
At the recent WOS, my Partner & I made a total of 8 passes and in all of them we both experienced the car hunting at speed to the point we momentarily got out of the throttle or were throttle-tentative.
Experts say that some degree of this type handling comes with the territory with FWD car on salt. On my last pass I was WOT for all of 3rd gear except once and the car does indeed "fix itself". Maybe we are not driving it right.
Don & I are ex-motorcycle guys so maybe we are just being over sensitive, but in any event we'd like to minimze the jinking/hunting because it spooks me somewhat. Besides... My MC experience taught me that getting out of the throttle at ANY point on the course costs mph (except as dictated by traction management)
Below is a hit list of issues to address; we'd like your comments.
#5448 handling issue - set up stuff to check/adjust:
1. Would adding 300# F ballast help stability? (gives 55/45%) Pros & cons
2. Re-determine our Cg-Cp relationship, basic vehicle info
3. Re-check L-R tire psi are equal; is F-R psi a factor?
4. Further minimize play in steering linkage, improve mounting of associated universal joints
5. Confirm scrub radius is close to zero, find a way to measure it more accurately
6. Other?
7. Put car on automotive alignment system:
- measure castor; lots of caster is always good to go straight (not adjustable)
- measure front toe in; set to ?1/8?", is it better to err on the side of more or less toe in?
- check the rear axle for being perfectly perpendicular to the car's centerline
- check the toe in in the rear, assure it is equal on both sides and not all on one side
- other?
I was torn between posting this here in TFA's thread or posting a new topic in the Technical Discussion section.
It went here because I am such a noob with my A, B, C's-type questions and the issue is specific to TFA #5448.
Our Mentors are VERY well versed in this stuff & eager to talk about it, and my Partner Don has strong automotive & aircraft experience so why even put this question here?
I am just learning and am looking for as wide exposure/comments as possible. Sometimes two people can say the same thing differently, one way rings my bell, one way goes over my noob head. Thanks for your help.
Karl