Steering

[BenBaron]

OK guys,

Im majorly F*CKED of with this self centering steering problem (as in it isnt doing it).

To recap....

Ive tried and tested both ways putting the castor shims in either side and although there is a difference, its not like it self centres unless I run over a bump.

Ive adjusted my tracking by making the front wheels parallel (measuring at the front of the wheel and measuring at back of wheel and this give almost identicle measurements - so parallel correct?

With the wheels up the steering feels very light so pretty sure its not a stiff rack or rod ends.

So any ideas? How much self centering does it need for the SVA?

Could my tyre size (235) be affecting it?

Ive got up enough enthusiasim to try for the SVA again now, but this is concerning me as I dont wanna book it knowing it will fail

Anyway as always comments and criticism welcome..

Ben (pissed off)

[craggle]

Ben

Is this the standard XJS chassis or the De-Dion one?

Craig.

[BenBaron]

Hi Craig, Standard

[craggle]

Ben

Not wishing to doubt your ability so please don't be offended by this, but are you 100% sure all the wishbone components are in the right place. The bottom wishbones are different and the top ones as well are slightly different to each other, so if they are assembled in the wrong position it will put you castor out by a long way.

Only thing I can think of really.

Craig.

[BenBaron]

Hi Craig,

dont be worried about offending me, to put it bluntly everything (and I do mean everything, maybe appart from the the windscreen) I have put on back to front, side ways, upside down or just plain wrong. So it wouldnt surprise me at all to find I had done it incorrectly.

Although Im pretty sure that I have the tops on correctly as Ive checked it a few times, and I didnt think the bottoms were handed are they? - cant put them on upside down as the shock bracket only goes on one way

I have 3 shims now, Im not keen on putting more in as I believe that cocks up the geometry and can put more stress on the components but if all setup correctly then whats my other options?

Would be grateful if you can run through a check list of what I can check to see if my wishbones are on correctly, or anything else that you think could compromise the self centering then I can go away and give it another through check.

What is the rule for the SVA regarding self centering?

Anyway thanks in anticipation of any help

Ben

[BenBaron]

Would ride height affect it? I would say no thinking about it but how would I know.

[BenBaron]

OHHH S**T, I bet the bottoms are handed arnt they, do they not have a little bit of a kink where the balljoint fits?

MMM which way round should they be, pointing towards the front or the back? will need to check but I bet its the wrong way round (hope so anyway then at least I have something to work towards)

Ben

[BenBaron]

Crap just found a picture of a lower wishbone and yeap they are handed, ok so which way do the need to go? my guess would be bent to the rear to increase the castor? with the shims at the top back to give max castor then work from there?

[craggle]

Hi Ben

The lower wishbones are indeed handed and the kink for the lower ball joint should face forward. The longer or more cranked top wishbone should be at the front. This gives maximum castor angle possible and the shims are there for fine adjustment.

Craig.

[andy l]

Originally Posted by BenBaron

OHHH S**T, I bet the bottoms are handed arnt they, do they not have a little bit of a kink where the balljoint fits?

MMM which way round should they be, pointing towards the front or the back? will need to check but I bet its the wrong way round (hope so anyway then at least I have something to work towards)

Ben

Hi Ben I have the de dion, but just had a look in the manual, seems it depends on what type of top wishbones you have straigth or cranked, to were you set the camber from, notes on bottom of the page ( notes 1,2,3 ) check which you have got frist i guess, best of luck Andy.