Type 44 Swaybar Questions..or: Listing Like A Spanish Galleon

[LL - NY]

FWIW, "Bump Steer" is the phenomenon of the car straying from it's intended 
line as the suspension moves through it's travel. Usually caused by a
change of Ackerman angle (difference in turning radius from the inside
front wheel to the outside front wheel) in a somewhat poorly designed
suspension. So, as you hit
mid-turn bumps or even changes in elevation, the car either turns in harder than
expected in a smooth corner, or turns in less. This can also be caused
by other things, but in your case, I'd check the condition of the
steering rack and tie-rods
post accident. Perhaps there is a bent tie-rod, which could still
allow proper static straight ahead alignment, but may not allow enough
travel (needed to achieve appropriate Ackerman angle) during turns
with bumps/dips etc. Also, FWIW, although I really haven't bothered to
seriously compete or track my type 44, I really hadn't noticed any
bump steer issues. My GTi (SCCA Solo2 stock, which means stock
springs) was actually worse, and it was hardly an issue. Then again,
most
stock ride height vehicles don't have a lot of bump steer issues. It's
in severe lowering (or raising) that limits the tie rod length issue
in turns that causes it to raise it's ugly head, as you are now
setting the vehicle beyond it's normal suspension travel design
limits.

LL - NY


On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 15:55:11 -0500, Lyle Seaman <lws at o-o.yi.org> wrote:
> Speaking of bump steering - I was tboned on the pax side by a redlight
> runner a few months ago. (unfortunately, with no witnesses the ins cos just
> called it no-fault.  I smell a scam. Ok, a "systemic inequity").  The shop
> said that there was no damage to the frame, but I'm suspicious about whether
> they actually measured it or not.  They replaced the doors, and did a nice
> job on the paint, but ever since, I've felt as though the car does bump
> steers more on some of the rutted, washboard asphalt around here, especially
> when braking.  I don't *think* that it drifts to the right more than the
> ordinary crown in a highway would cause.
> 
> Is there any reason that I would be seeing bump steering without pronounced
> pull to one side after an accident like this?
> 
> 
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