Anthony Micallef Posted March 9, 2003 Share Posted March 9, 2003 Lisa and I were out today on a run with the SELOC. Our 1.6k to Supersport didn't seem very happy with anything except the smothest of roads. Even then it had a tendency to wander. Now I know Caterhams are very light and can be seen as twitchy but I didn't feel confident driving it at all. At one point on a fast section I thought I was about to lose control, although it was on a bumpy section. I know its probably hard to give a response without being in the car but any advice will be gratefully received. The Happy 7 Owner 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilsjuke Posted March 9, 2003 Share Posted March 9, 2003 Check A frame to diff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gridgway Posted March 9, 2003 Share Posted March 9, 2003 bump steer? too much toe-out? Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomroche Posted March 9, 2003 Share Posted March 9, 2003 Oddly enough, I had the same feeling with my recently acquired Sprint, today ☹️. I discovered the steering column linkage just forward of the scuttle to have some play (gulp !), so I've tightened that. The manual says the wheels should have 30secs of Toe-in..is this correct? Mine appear to have lots of toe-out...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted March 9, 2003 Share Posted March 9, 2003 Most common causes are: Bump Steer - the steering rack is at a height where its length is not constant with the lower wishbone, thus cuasing the wheels to toe in and out as the suspension works hard. Spring rates - front suspension is too soft and is hitting the bump stops, adversely effecting steering. Steering rack - check for play on the inbound ends of the track rods - normally these only work loose on cars with the steel bodies steering rack - the alloy racks have the ball joints pinned to prevent this. To a lesser extent, too little castor will make the car twitchy. (Move the lower front wishbones forward relative to chassis) Odd toe-in/out settings - I prefer the tracking set parallel or maybe 0.5mm of toe out. Fat Arn Visit the K2 RUM website See the Lotus Seven Club 4 Counties Area Website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Agree with Arnie, I would also check the rear alighnment if yours is de-dion. It should be parallel. Any toe in or toe out beyond about 2mm will make it wander. This could be caused through worn bushes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Has anything been changed on the car recently? Has this handling trait just turned up or do you think it has always been like this? Has there been any change to the ride heights? Have you checked your de-dion tube for cracks around the reinforcing triangle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Crickmore Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Have you got so used to driving the Beetle you have forgotten what the SS feels like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Micallef Posted March 10, 2003 Author Share Posted March 10, 2003 Peter, some interesting questions. All to which I have to answer 'no'. Although your second question i'm not 100 % sure but I would say that if the trait was always there then its getting worse as I've only recently noticed it as bad as it is. Al, from someone who spends all their spare time in bed and not driving your SL you have no room to comment. The Happy 7 Owner 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary G Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Anthony, Have you done many miles in it since you put the new tyres on? I know that when I switched from some hardened old tyres to AO32r's, the car did take on a life of it's own... (I know that you had AO21r's before, but the newer ones might be sticking better than the old ones?) C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Crickmore Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 maybe you just need to learn how to drive old bean. This forum needs a handbag emoticon. Edited by - al crickmore on 10 Mar 2003 14:34:20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Micallef Posted March 10, 2003 Author Share Posted March 10, 2003 Al and Gary. I'll bring my car along to the meet this Thursday and you can have a drive and see what you think. I don't think my driving is that bad! 😳 The Happy 7 Owner 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Crickmore Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 There was a serious note in my previous remark about the beetle. Drove the SL three weeks ago after a long lay-up and it felt bizarre for a good hour or so. You get used to not being able to feel anything in a normal car is all I meant. I don't mind taking it up the road on Thursday for you mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Micallef Posted March 10, 2003 Author Share Posted March 10, 2003 Al, I should have put a smiley on my comment about your driving as I was taking the mickey. The Beetle is no more as we have traded it in for an old banger to enable us to release some money for a quicker escape up north. I think the roads around The Viper will be ideal to test the cars handling! The Happy 7 Owner 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Crickmore Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Or break the suspension. 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary G Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 I agree with Al. Took mine out for the first time in months and it felt very very strange for the first few miles. I thought the brakes had failed, the steering was extra heavy and it tramlined like a b**tard. But after a while I remembered that it's all very normal. Oh yes, it's also rather quick compared to a diesel Golf!! C7 GAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 As Gary has said, a new set of tyres can have a huge affect. Our new 48's certainly wander more over bumps (well worth it though ) and on fast blasts down country lanes you do have to concentrate - without fighting it. When we changed from pilots to 32's this wandering was the biggest change we noticed, soon got used to it and called it 'direct' instead of 'wandering'! Having said that, I am also going to check all the aboth mentioned potential causes of wander - in our NEW GARAGE - well, next weekend anyway 😬33,000 miles in 15 months! angus@tinyworld.co.uk Caterham pics here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I reply to every thread Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 When I put A032R's on mine it handled like a school bus with a puncture until the release compound wore off. I really thought there was something major wrong. Now sticks like sh*t to a blanket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_E Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Just getting started with my new seven and tram-lining is quite frightening when you’re not used to it . Do they all do it 🤔 I can't really get any good sleep when I'm driving me seven C7 MLE The big red one with yellow bits on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted March 10, 2003 Share Posted March 10, 2003 Like Mr Aves, I found that when I had the 15" Prisoner wheels fitted with new Yoko A520's, it took about 500 miles (yes, 500) to loose the hard casing finish & to start to get at the rubber!To speed along the process I bought some tyre softener from D.Tweeks as used by racers and painted it well onto the treads. Smells a bit like 'Gunk' and is obviously petroleum based. It softened them up well and they were great after that. How are the dampers? Has a major effect on the front end/handling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Micallef Posted March 11, 2003 Author Share Posted March 11, 2003 Thank you to everyone who has given their advice. The tyres I have on my car are not brand new so I think I can rule them out. I will bring my car along to the Essex meet this Thursday for a 2nd opinion. Failing that I will get the factory to check it over when it is serviced next week. I have been in several Caterhams both as a passenger and a driver. I am convinced that my car isn't handling as well as it should wether that be because there is something mechanically wrong or wether its just a problem with the cars setup. I suppose only time will tell. The Happy 7 Owner 😬 😬 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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