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Re: Alignment

To: "team.net" <autox@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: Alignment
From: Scott Mitchell <scott@fortner.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 99 15:12:04 -0400
Mark Sirota replied:
>Assuming a car with reasonable ackerman (something close to 100%), then
>adding static toe-out causes the inside front tire to turn too far.
>This creates some drag around the inside front tire, which causes the
>car to want to rotate around the inside front tire -- hence, quicker
>turn in.

There is another effect too. The inside tire turns further faster 
_before_ the weight transfers. So, that tire grabs more on turn in.

It is easy to think of ackerman as dynamic toe. The toe of the front 
tires increases as the wheel turns toward lock. IMHO, running a lot of 
static toe out is a hack for not having sufficient ackerman (sufficient 
for autocross is probably over 100%). Of course when the rules say you 
can't modify the suspension geometry, it is a hack you've gotta deal with.


Scott Mitchell
70 Ropa S2

"moving roll centres suck. Although duct tape works fine, we found that a 
hose clamp works even better. Also, the design judges commented that it 
looked neater, and could be adjusted more easily." - Greg Joughin



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