Tracking

[stylussprinter]

Just done the tracking , after having fitted the new quickrack yesterday . What an advantage having the flipfront , no jacking up to adjust/lowering and roll the car back and forth . Did it with flip open , marked up the steering rods into quarters with tipex ---- measured the existing toe then made just two more adjustments/measurements to arrive at 1/16th total toe in . It used to take ages with the fixed body , now it's all so accessable

[josephmoore]

Resurrecting your old thread here, Rob.

Finally got around to fitting my 2.9 quick rack and by my reckoning it's at least a half inch longer overall than the original Escort rack was on there and inconveniently means that on the shortest adjustment there's still a little toe out.

It's one of the proper ones (think I got it from Merlin or somewhere) rather than a dodgy Ebay special so I'm a little miffed it doesn't fit right on. Maybe the new rod ends are longer and I haven't noticed. Anyone else come across this? Think I'll just have to lop a bit off the end of each thread as there's still 3/4" or so of thread to go but it bottoms out inside the rod end extenders. Bummer.

When you say 1/16th, do you mean difference in inches - where is it measured? I'm more used to people talking about degrees... The plan is to get it close enough then have it checked at the garage if I'm not happy with it.

[stylussprinter]

Resurrecting your old thread here, Rob.

Finally got around to fitting my 2.9 quick rack and by my reckoning it's at least a half inch longer overall than the original Escort rack was on there and inconveniently means that on the shortest adjustment there's still a little toe out.

It's one of the proper ones (think I got it from Merlin or somewhere) rather than a dodgy Ebay special so I'm a little miffed it doesn't fit right on. Maybe the new rod ends are longer and I haven't noticed. Anyone else come across this? Think I'll just have to lop a bit off the end of each thread as there's still 3/4" or so of thread to go but it bottoms out inside the rod end extenders. Bummer.

When you say 1/16th, do you mean difference in inches - where is it measured? I'm more used to people talking about degrees... The plan is to get it close enough then have it checked at the garage if I'm not happy with it.

I use extension alloy threaded tubes so had to cut some off my 2.4 rack , unless it's a standard Escort road car you'd have to adjust anyway.
Regarding degrees for tracking ------ I've never used those terms and am only interested in maximum performance , so have experimented until it achieves my target handling. 1/16th inch is the difference between ''rear and front'' wheel rim distance across the front track ie. it tows in 1/16th inch max overall. Never set tow out on a road car , especially rear wheel drive .

[josephmoore]

I use extension alloy threaded tubes so had to cut some off my 2.4 rack , unless it's a standard Escort road car you'd have to adjust anyway.
Regarding degrees for tracking ------ I've never used those terms and am only interested in maximum performance , so have experimented until it achieves my target handling. 1/16th inch is the difference between ''rear and front'' wheel rim distance across the front track ie. it tows in 1/16th inch max overall. Never set tow out on a road car , especially rear wheel drive .

Thanks Rob Don't worry, wasn't planning to run it with toe out just wanted to sanity check if others have had to make adjustments to the rods. I've got some steel extenders which came off the old rack with some swearing before resorting to grinding the lock nut off one side. There's not much in it, but enough to be a problem.

1/16th it is as a starting point. Like you said, at least these things are easily adjustable!

[norma]

Never set tow out on a road car , especially rear wheel drive .

Unless its a lotus or a VX - the rear wheels toe in and front dead ahead or slightly toeing out, but thats mid engined not front engined.
I agree fixed axle Stylus don't handle well with toe out!
(turn in is razor sharp tho!!!!)

[stylussprinter]

Never set tow out on a road car , especially rear wheel drive .

Unless its a lotus or a VX - the rear wheels toe in and front dead ahead or slightly toeing out, but thats mid engined not front engined.
I agree fixed axle Stylus don't handle well with toe out!
(turn in is razor sharp tho!!!!)

A little toe in is good on track , it keeps the tyres warm for max grip & turn in when sprinting short runs. Toe out isn't good on road , in fact can be dangerous on rear wheel drive --- however , toe out is good in very short twisty sprints and especially hill climbs --- been there done that BUT fast straight roads or long straight tracks , instability will pop it's ugly head and all but the experts will lose control if an error is made at high speed --- done that too