Re: spider bites - oh, no, not again!

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <3.0.3.16.19991010123734.21ffc48a@n-jcenter.com> Mike Arman writes:

> What I *think* I'm hearing is that certain of our cars, when equipped with
> certain drive train components, and when pushed hard around corners
> SOMETIMES exhibit a phenomenon as follows: First, it understeers, then it
> oversteers, then it understeers again.

> If I understand that correctly, when the car enters the corner, the driver
> turns the wheel and the car doesn't turn as much as he expects (continues
> to go straight), so he turns the steering wheel some more. Next thing that
> happens is that the car begins to suddenly oversteer, and dives toward the
> inside of the turn. Finally, the car returns to the understeer condition.
> The resultant path through the turn is a lurching zig-zag, and the driver
> emerges somewhat puckered. This non-linear response to steering inputs is I
> think what is being called spider bite.

No, I think what you describe is definable as 'controllable'.  The
experience I had just after taking delivery of my 100TQW was definitely
NOT - it was highly unpleasant, just as Scott has described it.

Power input is crucial - trailing throttle or neutral throttle turns
don't (IMO) stand a chance of producing this phenomenon.

I'd never experienced it on a Torsen Type 85.  I didn't realise how
downright wild it is until the Type 44 event.  This is 'scary' with
a capital "Oh, SHIT!!".

--
 Phil Payne
 UK Audi quattro Owners Club
 Phone: 07785 302803   Fax: 0870 0883933