Corner weights

[Steve-J]

Do we have a resident expert on corner weight setup.
I am told that they are critical for a Cobra in order for it to handle properly. can anybody shed any light on the subject as it appears to be very expensive to have done and getting this kind of thing past the boss is getting increasingly difficult!

Your adivice would be appreciated.

Steve-J :}

[dave]

Hi Steve.
In order to ballance the car properly you will need an identical twin to sit in the passenger seat..........................Sorry, couldn't resist.:tu

[Steve-J]

Yeah thanks Dave!

If only I could find someone luck enough to be my double

Steve

[russell_ram]

Steve,

it depends whether you are interested in knowing what the actual corner weights are, and the balance front to rear - or whether you are just interested in balancing the front side-to-side and the rear side-to-side.

If your not bothered about what the actual weights are there is a simple method for equalising them.

Find somewhere convenient on the front chassis cross member and mark it's midpoint. Then with a trolley jack and a large ball bearing (or round steel bar longitudinally along car) jack the front of the car up at the front under this point (you might want to use an additional steel pad to spread the load so you don't dent the chassis with the ball). Remove front wheels and lower car back down to the 'correct or desired' front ride height. Then adjust rear spring units untill ride height is equal side to side (at the rear) and the car is sitting at the rear ride height you want.

Then repeat using a central point on the rear of the chassis somewhere and adjust fronts.

Ideally you should do all this with a 'driver' in situ.

You now have balanced side to side weights front and rear. If you want then to know what the 'actual' weights are, you can simply go to a local weigh bridge and measure the front and rear of the car seperately. You will then have front weight, rear weight, corner weights (1/2 the front or rear weights) and total mass.

Russ

[russell_ram]

Ok, I know this is not exactly true, and is really optimisation of the existing the weight distribution that you have built into the car.

BUT, if while you are doing the side to side balance (with either end in the air) you can achieve equalisation of side to side ride height by moving things around in the car (like battery etc) while keeping the fitted spring lengths the same - then it will achieve balanced side to side mass

Russ

Confused yet?

[RigMan]

Cheng Lim did this for me, as well as setting the suspension etc. Cost 140 quid or something. Not dear, and well worth it! Do it!

RigMan:9