Standard chassis; roadholding/handling..

**runt** · 01-02-09, 03:13 PM

When I decided on a Tojeiro back in the winter of '05/06, I didnt go for the 'chuckable' De Dion as
a) I don't ever envisage leaving Graham Hill Bend on full opposite lock with an R500 next to me doing the same
b)I'm getting old
c)On the road I'm a cruiser
d)I love the old Jag rear end with 2 spring/damper units each side, both for its ride/roadholding ability and appearance, all my old S Type and XJ cars were easy to drive on winding roads.

And the Dax is no handful on corners at the sane speeds I've been entering them, but.. there seems to be a question mark as to what will happen if one of these is asked to change direction at freeway speeds, I have found the car a tad 'nervy' when changing lanes at 80 ish, DJ's have offered to 'set up' front suspension but I would have assumed the rolling chassis as delivered to DB would have had this, Cheng's suspension set up hasn't made a noticeable difference, as I said I don't race about but should I find myself on a deserted road and blowing the cobwebs away at 90-100 is it likely to take to the air..?
Why did they come up with there own bespoke rack when everyone else finds the MGB item adequate..?

Paul/runt

**TINKA** · 01-02-09, 03:38 PM

I believe they changed the rack to cure some bump steer issues.

**clive a brown** · 01-02-09, 04:06 PM

If It's set up properly the chassis is really good, at any sane speeds.

IMHO

Clive

**craggle** · 01-02-09, 04:18 PM

If Chengs already had a go at it then I would guess it was somewhere close. How long ago was this done? Could any suspension bushes or bearings be worn out now?

What size tyres are they and what pressure do you use in them?

My Dax felt quite good up to around 110mph and this was before I set up the camber properly. At 120 it felt a bit light on the front!

I need to do some more testing with it now as I have adjusted the camber to the stated 0.5� negative camber.
Private road I'd like to add.

Craig.

**runt** · 01-02-09, 04:42 PM

Thanks for replies chaps, encouraging that Clive and Craig are happy, Tinka I know the early cars had Dolomite rack, wasn't it in a different place, Craig I am using
215/55-16f
245/55-16r
22 psi all round.
DB rightly suggested enjoying the thrust up to 120, then back down and do it all over again, with the buffeting and lack of accident protection I wouldn't see myself ever going that fast anyway, just would love a bit more stability @ cruising speeds.

Paul

**craggle** · 01-02-09, 06:39 PM

Yeah, The first question I always get asked by non car folk is "how fast will it go"? I say around 100 but what's more impressive is how fast it gets there.
120 was a bit scary to be honest.

Tyre pressures sound about right. Wonder if it's worth playing with damping rates on the coil over dampers, assuming they are adjustable.

How old is the car? I thought the current steering rack had been in use for sometime now.

Craig.

**andicole0** · 01-02-09, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by craggle

If Chengs already had a go at it then I would guess it was somewhere close. How long ago was this done? Could any suspension bushes or bearings be worn out now?

What size tyres are they and what pressure do you use in them?

My Dax felt quite good up to around 110mph and this was before I set up the camber properly. At 120 it felt a bit light on the front!

I need to do some more testing with it now as I have adjusted the camber to the stated 0.5� negative camber.
Private road I'd like to add.

Craig.

120 down your private road was pre pot holes I guess Craig

Andi.

**Miket** · 01-02-09, 07:48 PM

You guys should have bought a proper car, you can let go of the steering wheel at 120mph in an AK and it still goes in a straight line.

And I'm not joking.

Incoming.

**runt** · 01-02-09, 08:16 PM

Mike T, that's the kind of stability I'd like, what happens at 140-150 is irrelevant for me.
Craig, yep I have the latest (Dax's own) rack, rolling chassis built autumn '06, completed/delivered by Dave on 24/12/06.
Had set the dampers at position 9 as in 1= softest, 20= firmest.
Grahame at 7-Indulgence initially thought dampers were too high, tyres too high as it felt so nervy to him, he did say though that the car was by no means terrifying like some Cobs he's dealt with..!
Possibly as you say camber or toe in is out, I'd hate the car to sit too low as ground clearance is critical on the long driveway to the garage; the reason I couldn't have underslung exhaust.

Paul

**dave** · 01-02-09, 08:26 PM

Hi Paul.
Pop it into Dax and let Gary have a look at it, he'll tell you if anything needs adjusting.

Mike.
Would that be the car that you said "Handles perfectly" and to which you then added an anti roll bar, then saying that "It's transformed the handling".
Make your mind up man!