[DeTomaso] Camber?

[David Fisher]

.. reposting to the list..


On Sat, Jul 13, 2013 at 2:47 PM, David Fisher <fisher95020 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks Chris,   I just did my suspension bushings this year and don't know
> if I can muster the fortitude to do that again.  ;-)   I don't mind shaving
> the top ball joint, however.   Mike D was suggesting 100 thousands (inch)
> can come off without a problem.   What is the collective wisdom on how much
> can be removed?
>
> David
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 12, 2013 at 7:01 PM, Chris Difani <csdifani at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Dave:
>>
>> While I'm not a camber aficionado, I also have wide rears... In my case
>> 345/35 by 18 Pilot Sports.  Where did you get your tires?  I need to get a
>> new set of tires, and have been having difficulties with finding new tires
>> in my rear size (which are running on 12.5" by 18" Codington Campy clones).
>> My fronts are 255/40 by 17", but I can run 245/40's if necessary.
>>
>> One thing I did, that really helps my tracking is I've got almost 5º of
>> caster.  I did my alignment myself, using the "string method", and have an
>> eighth inch toe in for both front and rear, -0.5º camber front and rear.
>> The caster is tricky to achieve... mostly because the shim system that is
>> the factory method is really limited.  I machined my upper ball joints as
>> much as possible on the rear face, then I followed Chuck Engle's caster
>> solution.  That requires that you remove the front suspension bushings, cut
>> them by a third, then reassemble them with that "third" such that the upper
>> arm moves rearward, and the lower arm moves forward.
>>
>> I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it's sooo worth it.  I've had
>> two Panteras; the first was stock alignment, and the second has my
>> "adjusted" alignment.  Their driving is like night and day.  On the
>> freeway, there isn't any tendency to follow lines, just smooth and
>> straight. Panic on the brakes, and you come to a dead straight stop.  And
>> it goes thru curves like it's on rails.  And at speed, it tracks straight
>> and true.
>>
>> In any case, I did find that the standard shims always leave you the
>> smallest bit "off".  It seems like they're either too big, or too small,
>> never "just right".
>>
>>  Chris
>>
>> Chris Difani
>> '73 L #5829 "LITNNG"
>> Sacramento, CA
>> Email: csdifani at gmail.com
>> ____________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 12, 2013 at 2:58 PM, David Fisher <fisher95020 at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> I'm just setting up my front end after a rack install (thanks Mike!) and
>>> note the factory claims Camber should be close to 0 degrees.   I am
>>> currently at 1.5 degrees negative on all 4 tires.
>>>
>>> I'm inclined to run a bit negative in hopes of getting better grip
>>> through
>>> the twisties on the front and more even tire wear on those huge 335's on
>>> the rear.
>>>
>>> What are others doing?
>>>
>>> I went to Nitto NT05 235s on the front and that has improved my under
>>> steer
>>> problem significantly.   I have Pilot Sport 335s on the rear and once
>>> they
>>> warm up they want to push you through the corners.    The car is not too
>>> far off neutral now, but I will still try playing will ARB's on both ends
>>> next.
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>> Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>>>
>>> DeTomaso mailing list
>>> DeTomaso at poca.com
>>> http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso
>>>
>>
>>
>