I've been trying to set up the car again for the june 2nd trackday at Aintree.
with a 70 kilo load and 5 inch ground clearance the corner weights are
front left 130 k
front right 125 k
rear left 160 k
rear right 130 k
my question is how do I equalise the weights and is it axles i'm trying to balance or front / rear diagonals.
and does anyone know of a good book which explains this black art
regards
tony

Do a search on Amazon for car suspension. I've got the Alan Staniforth book which is very good & has a section on setting up your car. I bought a 'Used' copy as opposed to brand new & it was still in mint condition & half the price!

I did exactly the same - Competition Car Suspension by Alan Staniforth (fourth edition) and it really is a useful book and a good read!

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/1001568/Competition-Car-Suspension/Product.html

Imagine a 4 legged table on an uneven floor, it rocks on only two legs buts still stays even.

You are looking to match diagonals, NSF - OSR OSF - NSR

But as tarcks in the UK go clockwise being a little heavier on the drivers side would not hurt.

I would be inclined to knock a little off the NSR and reduce that corner slightly.

Are you on a really flat floor ?

Regards Mark

http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.asp?FlatFloorSetup
all explained here no need to buy a book this topic was covered a few months ago were i put a few more links to interesting websites under running gear http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=64259


[Edited on 19/5/07 by higgsti]

[Edited on 19/5/07 by higgsti]

How about this for sad, I dug up 11ft x 7ft of the flags in the front garden and laid a 2inch bed of concrete just for the purpose of doing the corner weights.
thanks for all the info and links
tony

Have you got the alignment set properly? If not, do so first, as this will change the corner weigths (camber change = slight ride height change = corner weight change). then lower the rear left ride height a bit and raise the right front a bit. It sounds as though you are not too far off, you've got 48 / 52 5 on the diagonals.

For comparison: my own LHD indy (pinto power!) with myself in it (75 kg's) was:

LF: 171.2 RF: 164.8

LR: 172.8 RR: 157.4

This was with 1/2 a tank of fuel on calibrated scales. I'd just left it as it was because it seemed good enough.

Sebastiaan

ps. Just noticed that mine is "just" 120 kg heavier then yours. This should mean that my gearbox alone weighs as much as your entire engine does ;-). Might have something to do with the fat Cobra roadster seats though.....

thanks for all the advice, obtained a copy of allan staniforth's book. using his formula managed to get it to within 2 kilos on all corners
8 pair scales from tesco @ 2.65 £21.20
timber B&Q £7.00
Concrete don't ask
Book £16.00
personal satisfaction priceless
Rescued attachment corner weight setup.JPG

properjob!!!

make sure you put a spirit level between the timber blocks!