littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I thought it would be a good idea to start a fresh thread as not to hi-jack the other one even more! Here is the print out from the wheel alignment, it all looks good but I'm not sure if they got my the model of my car correct; it says except 3l but in standard trim the diesels have the same suspension setup as the 3l/v6 apart from the St220. So I don't know if they are correct! I took some pictures of the tyres and the fronts look normal, but I'm not sure if the back are correct; they sit like /\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Here are some pictures of the rear, as you can see it looks like the wheels are sitting like /\. Going by the mud patterns on the tyre it would appear the outside is not making much contact with the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I drove the car on 205/55/16s and it handled really well, the tyres had plenty of grip and there wasn't much body roll; and this was at Donnington Park so I was really pushing But with 225/40/18's there is NO additional grip, it handles exactly the same when it shouldn't. It should handle noticeably better, the tyres are good, the PSI is correct and the suspension is in good working condition. Its a bit slipperly in the wet but that could be down to the make of the tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I drove the car on 205/55/16s and it handled really well, the tyres had plenty of grip and there wasn't much body roll; and this was at Donnington Park so I was really pushing But with 225/40/18's there is NO additional grip, it handles exactly the same when it shouldn't. It should handle noticeably better, the tyres are good, the PSI is correct and the suspension is in good working condition. Its a bit slipperly in the wet but that could be down to the make of the tyres. The Geom report is fine. Also note the rear camber positions are only 30' more than the front. This difference shouldn't be detectable to the eye so the appearance of the rears being /\ is an illusion with the bigger wheels and the body styling. Admittedly you have a gap on the rear tyres outer tread/sidewall but this is only due to the weight difference and pneumatic distortion. What is the difference in the two wheel widths and off-sets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 The 16"s were 6.5 and the 18"'s are 7.5", not sure on the offset sorry! The 18"'s came on my friends Mondeo as standard, its the same model as mine but without the Eibachs. I have noticed the small gap on other cars well, as you said its down to less weight on the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 The 16"s were 6.5 and the 18"'s are 7.5", not sure on the offset sorry! The 18"'s came on my friends Mondeo as standard, its the same model as mine but without the Eibachs. I have noticed the small gap on other cars well, as you said its down to less weight on the rear. Ok... We are back to that SR again being the criminal.... Did you contact D/T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I didn't have time sadly, but I will do tomorrow! So what is the actual problem with my scrub radius? The tyres appear to make full contact with the road so one would think they are making use of all available grip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I didn't have time sadly, but I will do tomorrow! So what is the actual problem with my scrub radius? The tyres appear to make full contact with the road so one would think they are making use of all available grip! The actual point of load is outside of the steer axis.... This area is supported by the KPI and camber.... If the actual point of load is within the imaginary lines then the weight of the vehicle is inert at the tyre... If the contact patch is outside then the weight adds forces the driver needs to react to making the car difficult to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I *think* I understand what your saying, guess I'll be hanging round this place a bit more as I have a lot to learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I *think* I understand what your saying, guess I'll be hanging round this place a bit more as I have a lot to learn! Don't we all mate, I get the gist of it but TBH alot of it takes me ages to absorb and actually understand what's being explained. In the above pic Tony, the white lines, do they represent the wheel/tyre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I assume thats that the white lines are! I'm just wondering if spacers would improve my SR! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 I assume thats that the white lines are! I'm just wondering if spacers would improve my SR! Just looked on the other thread, they're for the wheel. If you put spacers on won't you risk the tyres catching on the arch lip, especially with 225? I've looked at the camber kits and it doesn't say they won't fit a MK3. Are the top mounts the same as the MK2 as that's what they replace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Its possible, I'd have to measure the gap; Eibach do spacers from 30-50mm I think! Would only use them on track days though due to the extra wear n tear they cause, thats if they did provide any benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Wouldn't it depend on what your current offset is? If they came out too far the handling could be even worse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Back to this... I did a track day on the 16" wheels the other day and the car was perfect, all of the tyre was making full contact with the road as it was nice and evenly warn! I have now put the 18"'s back on once again have noticed a loss in handling, driving through puddles and mud shows the outside of the tyre isn't making full contact with the ground; as you can see in my picture! So is this the scrub radius? Theres no camber kit for the Mk3 so it looks like I'm screwed, but saying that I know someone who is on standard dampers but lowered -30mm (mines 40/30) yet their car handles how it should, so whats up with that? Now I'm seriously tempted to put my original springs back on, the garage want £80 for them fitted and I'll probably have to pay another £60 for a wheel alignment but thats the price you pay, I hate things not working how they should and I love the look of the larger wheels but hate the scary handling. I'm just worried that it won't resolve the problem! Sorry to keep going on, but all comments welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Not sure if this means anything but there were some markings on the inside of the alloys. ET 52.5 and 16h2 1s,7j-ba on the other :S Edit: Can't I just go back to the alignment centre and ask them to put more positive/negative camber on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 whats the tyre pressures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 whats the tyre pressures Offical figure is 38/34 but I've experimented around and found it to be of little use. The car drives fine in a straight line and respondes well to quick flicks but thats about it! I plan to pay the alignment centre a visit tomorrow and make sure they used the right settings, as I think they used the petrol 4 pot settings as opposed to the diesel/v6. Failing that should I ask them if they can try and set the scrub radius to as close to zero as possible? I've spoken to a few other people who have the same setup as me and they've all set they've got no compliants Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Not sure if this means anything but there were some markings on the inside of the alloys. ET 52.5 and 16h2 1s,7j-ba on the other :S Edit: Can't I just go back to the alignment centre and ask them to put more positive/negative camber on? Offset is 52.5, the width of the rim is 7" You can't adjust the camber on the mondeo. I still think you need to lower your tyre pressures abit from your other thread on MEG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Have tried 32 psi all round mate, just makes it feel a bit sluggish and heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Your tyre size is correct for the wheels but I always thought the offset for the mondeo was between 35-45. These are genuine ford wheels though ain't they? What's the offset of the 16's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Yes they are genuine mate, not sure on the offset for the 16's it didn't appear to say on them! I spoke with Kauzydog and Sisson and they said that the Eibachs have helped their handling, infact I bought these wheels off Sisson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Yes they are genuine mate, not sure on the offset for the 16's it didn't appear to say on them! I spoke with Kauzydog and Sisson and they said that the Eibachs have helped their handling, infact I bought these wheels off Sisson! Sisson has the same motor as you if I'm right? Did he lower his the same amount as yours? This really is strange though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted August 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Yep same engine, same struts, same Eibach springs (40/30). My tyres are good too so thats not the cause! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 16, 2007 Report Share Posted August 16, 2007 Did you use the same tyres that he did or replace them before putting them on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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