[V8] Track F/R

[J123fs at aol.com]

I'm not sure I agree Ingo.  Simply widening track doesn't affect  anything 
5/2007 6:43:10 P.
but the load on the wheel bearings. Lowering a car would (and  does) have an 
effect on the front control arm, steering arm,and axle's. I  have been 
 
Sorry Al,
Ingo is correct. Widing your track DOES affect how the suspension works. 
You are correct, it does not effect the static geometry, but as I have an  
effect on the roll center of the car......and to say it does not effect the  
handling on the car is factually incorrect. 
It also makes the front springs effective rate lower by a fair bit, as you  
are making the lever arm acting on the struts and springs longer. This too  
also effects handling.
I had an interesting off list exchange about this recently, and in the  
middle of the MASSIVE Northeaster we where getting here on Cape Ann ran the  
numbers on SusProg3D, while watching it gust to over 70 mph on the anemometer. 
On our cars changing the track 25 mm lowers the roll center 4%. Dropping  the 
car an inch or so does about the same thing- but you then tempt the pothole  
gods. This can and does effect the suspension. I could not accurately figure 
out  the spring rate change as it was way too S#$%^tty to venture outside to 
measure  the control arm- (VW rabbit/Porsche 944/944tT control arm - same length 
and  articulation angles already in my database) but on a car already in the 
database  changing the track 25 mm changes the effective spring rate by 7+%. 
Not  chickenfeed numbers wise. You COULD argue that it's not apples to apples, 
but  the Audi C-Arm IS longer, so I bet the numbers are even higher.
I would be worried about the CV's- I have seen every brand of car racing  
with lowered springs decrease the life of NEW CV's by 75%+. The issue isn't the  
static position, but as the suspension goes through it's range of motion and 
it  runs out of length. Most guys who change their geometry, change the length 
of  the axles also. You HAVE to.
I would like too see the tie rod end inverted- this makes a LOT of sense  
when it comes to bumpsteer on an lowered car with such a highly mounted steering  
rack, but will it work?
I just replaced a split braided brake line (yes it happens, thankfully I  was 
going slow) and spent a good deal of time planning my subframe upgrade along  
with tie rod ends, ect while replacing the hose, and I'm not too sure you  
could reverse the taper on the strut arm without welding and re-machining the  
thing to accept the tie rod end upside down. Do you know something I do  not?
Jack









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