> From meboe@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu Tue Oct 11 15:17:35 1994
> Date: Tue, 11 Oct 1994 12:05:57 -31702 (PDT)
> From: Greg Meboe <meboe@wsuaix.csc.wsu.edu>
> Subject: Re: Stereotypes & Spit camber
> To: Douglas Mitchell <doug@dsg128.nad.ford.com>
> Cc: Scions of Lucas <british-cars@autox.team.net>
> Mime-Version: 1.0
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>
> > Douglas Mitchell writes:
>
> > Actually, under the condition as described, buddies on trunk, etc., the
> > camber will be positively affected. The spring in the Spit is a transverse
> > leaf spring, not a coil. And since it sits on top of the axle, and attaches
> > to the top of the trunions, it tends to push the top of the tires out. At
>
> Doug, If you load up the rear of a spit, camber doesn't go
> positive, it goes negative. I'm assuming we're using the traditional
> definition of camber: negative means the tops of the tyres are farther
> inward than the bottoms, and positive means the tops are farther outward.
> The transverse spring doesn't connect directly to the hub, this
> is only so on the roto-flex equipped GT-6's. Instead, the spring bolts
> to the vertical link, which has a central pivot on the hub itself. So
> the angle of the vertical link on the spit is independent of the hub and
> hence the wheel. The spring doesn't 'push out' on the wheel, it only
> pushes downward on the hub.
> Camber compensators that attatch to the bottom of the vertical
> link inhibit transverse movement of the vertical link, and therefore
> actually 'bind' the suspension in a central location. As a result,
> they're somewhat uncomfortable on the road.
>
>
Yep, you are right, my mind went temporarily blank while trying to
visualize the Spit rear end. I still stand by what I originally posted
though, replacing the spring will have negligible effect on the rear
camber. I don't understand why, and I don't think that the Triumph
engineers understood it entirely, but it squats. Unfortunately, unlike
the squat on the Corvette, it doesn't go away as you speed up. I have had
several cars with swing axles, and only the Spitfire has a severe camber
problem over time. The Corvair, for all its foibles, (get out your Funk
& Wagnels), by 1963 had eliminated the swing tuck, and was a much more
stable car. Now if only I could retrofit a leaf spring on the bottom...
Hmmm...
Doug Mitchell - Going to remedy the camber on my Spitfire yet.
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