I hadn't heard of this Mk1 handling/adjustments?

Discussion in 'Track Prep & Tech' started by fthaimike, Sep 11, 2006.

  1. fthaimike Forum Addict

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    After speaking to someone in the know it was mentioned about the moving of all the stub axles forward to change the geometry/setup of the car?

    Maybe causing the wheels to go more forward slightly & the suspension to tilt back on the front?

    Discuss:
     
  2. abf"d mk1 Paid Member Paid Member

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    increasing the castor angle will make steering heavier but will also make it return to centre position more. easy mod on some cars but more difficult with wishbones as they would be quite difficult to move forward.
     
  3. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

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    I did an article in Rabbit on moving the wishbones forward a few years ago. Surprisingly easy - tools for the job are a hacksaw, a hammer, and some washers... Optional welder for strenthening, but I didn't need it.

    But stub axles - rear axle in other words - you'd move those backwards to extend the wheelbase - in theory. Never done it, or seen it done.
     
  4. fthaimike Forum Addict

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    So you move the front forward & the back backwards then?

    Would you normally wide track them at the same time Chris or would this mod cause enough change?
     
  5. Admin Guest

    i could see it as a worth while mod if it was adjustable, instead of being a fixed placed mod.....
     
  6. iguana Forum Member

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    Mike speak to finch- ianv, hes got adjustable castor on the mk1 rollerskate, trial & error set up, but i think hes got it spot on as by jingo it handles well.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2006
  7. fthaimike Forum Addict

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    Is that using solid top mounts?
     
  8. iguana Forum Member

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  9. fthaimike Forum Addict

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    That explains it a little then, must be a bit bumpy if you have to drive it on the road?
     
  10. badger5

    badger5 Club GTI Sponsor and Supporter Trader

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    try 900lb rear springs. now thats bumpy
     
  11. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

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    Two separate things really, so no reason to do both.
     
  12. iguana Forum Member

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    With the spring rates he's running bumpy is guaranteed ;)
     
  13. fthaimike Forum Addict

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    Aint got a clue what my PI springs are but they are quite hard.

    What were the main differences he had once the castor was adjusted? or would anything else have adjusted at the same time?

    Just find all this quite interesting.
     
  14. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

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    First difference was better grip off the line.

    Second is, greater castor, which translates to camber on lock. Should improve front end grip, (and in theory) up to a point where there is too much camber on lock (just mentioned so you can think through what's happening, contact patch etc).

    Steering weights up - a side effect. Nothing serious tho'.
     
  15. fthaimike Forum Addict

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    Do you know Chris if anything around the rack area needs strengthening or maybe as a precaution due to extra load?
     
  16. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

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    Not as a specific result, though there is a feeling that you can brace the two rack mounting points - search on IV Mk1 16v for some pics
     
  17. fthaimike Forum Addict

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    I am having that done in the new year chris when the new front end goes on so might look for some idea's about rack when i get to it as i had to have my rack brackets re-built when they started to brake (had a good job with them re-done).
     
  18. GVK

    GVK Paid Member Paid Member

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    Your PI springs won't be very stiff at all ( not compared to what Ian's running anyway....)

    If you start using stickier tyres (R888, old slicks etc) you might find the rack mounting area may suffer...
     
  19. POL

    pol Forum Member

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    bugger me. i thought mine will be a bit hard with 650lb rears! is that what is running on that mk1? brave man to drive it on the public highway!
     
  20. iguana Forum Member

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    Very ball park fig but also ians springs are very firm but not mental hard like some hot hatch racers run run,- bill you running900 on the ibizas?? :o crikey!! but ians at 350/400 are prob in the region of 100% stiffer than average aftermarket fast road sports springs.


    Ian ripped his rack out of the bulkhead running slicktastics,


    Anyway mike Pi springs?? blimey get them in the skip asap! ;)
     

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