Bob_Spidell
Yoda
Offline
I've started thinking about ways to modify my cars'--BJ8 and BN2--steering geometry in order to improve handling. I'm a 'tourer,' not a racer, so I'm mainly looking for ways to improve all-around handling, not at the limits. Both my Healeys, esp. the BN2, exhibit the same behavior: a little too much effort, it feels, required to start a turn--understeer?--then, once in the turn, a bit of oversteer. When I acquired my BJ8 it had excessive--2-3deg--positive camber. Offset bushings got some of that out, and an alignment shop got some more out by bending the A-arm brackets (and creating a crack at the chassis, which I welded-up). The BN2 had excessive negative camber, which we remedied by installing Kilmartin adjustable shock plates (which were manufactured incorrectly, but that's another story; chassis measurements were nominal and it didn't appear to have front-end damage, so we never figured out why). Both cars track straight on flat pavement, so that's not an issue. I haven't driven the BN2 enough to tell, but the BJ8 always seems to wear out the outside of the front tires (but so does my Mustang as I do like to 'challenge' corners). The BN2 has stock, 48-spoke wheels with 165/80 tires; the BJ8 has 6-in, 72-spoke wheels with 185/70 rubber, and Torrington bushings to help mitigate turning effort. The BJ8 has an uprated anti-roll bar, which helped keep it flatter in turns.
I don't have any of my shop manuals handy, but I think they call for just a degree or two of positive(?) caster, which seems a little light compared to other cars. An alignment shop recommended 0deg camber for the BN2, but couldn't achieve that (I think because they didn't realize the bolts on the rebound buffer had to be loosened to move the sub-plate). The BJ8 still has 1deg+ positive camber.
So, what settings do y'all recommend to get a better-balanced car, agile but not too squirrely? One that will engage a corner, but not want to swap ends? Or, should I leave well enough alone?
I don't have any of my shop manuals handy, but I think they call for just a degree or two of positive(?) caster, which seems a little light compared to other cars. An alignment shop recommended 0deg camber for the BN2, but couldn't achieve that (I think because they didn't realize the bolts on the rebound buffer had to be loosened to move the sub-plate). The BJ8 still has 1deg+ positive camber.
So, what settings do y'all recommend to get a better-balanced car, agile but not too squirrely? One that will engage a corner, but not want to swap ends? Or, should I leave well enough alone?