Mike's big RS4 modding project

[MikeFish]

Also had the alignment done again today as it was pulling to the right. Much better now and dialed in a little more camber on the rear left as there was little no room between the arch and tyre. Then realised my front tyres were shot; the insides were worn from the toe-in created from lowering (which I knew) but are now so bead they need replacing - good news I have finally ordered some Eagle F1s to repalce those Dunlops (which were OK but not a patch on Eagle F1s).
As the new tyres will be the correct width of 255 instead of 265 it meanS I will most likely have too much gap at the rear and will no doubt be going back for anothr aligment to dial out the rear camber I just added (which means they will wear more evenly too).

[RS4_Ollie]

surly lowering adds more neg camber to the front not toe and that's what's wearing the inside edges? im just waiting for my spring to be delivered might have to invest in the adjustable top arms if the tire wear is too bad.

[MikeFish]

Yes you're right but I had the front arms changed at the same time as DRC and lowered it so my camber was out as expected but the toe was out quite a bit too. Not much I can do about the front camber other than fit adjustable arms. If I start wearing through these new tyres quickly then I might have to do that.

[gt2]

Yes you're right but I had the front arms changed at the same time as DRC and lowered it so my camber was out as expected but the toe was out quite a bit too. Not much I can do about the front camber other than fit adjustable arms. If I start wearing through these new tyres quickly then I might have to do that.

Have you gone through a full set of brand new tyres Mike? I'm in the same situation as you or at least I will be, I have a degree too much camber on both sides at the front. I might look into new front arms as well otherwise it's gonna start getting expensive with tyres!

[MikeFish]

The tyres are 2 years old now and probably getting close to being changed anyway (have to check how.many miles I've done in that time). I think the main part has 3 or 4 mm left on them but the inside edge has now gone completely. I'm not sure how much of that wear was done between lowering and alignment (about 8 months) when toe and camber were both out or whether it was continued ie the camber and not the toe in. I guess I will check the new tyres in a few months and see how they are wearing on the inside then get the adjustable arms if required

[RS4_Ollie]

Yeah or get the tyres swapped over sides half way through might get a tad more life out of them.

On the plus side though more neg camber should make it corner better

[Deano_123]

Was poking through my photos and this reminded me that I took a video of Mike leaving the RR day

Now I realize why the Police pulled me today, that exhaust is outrageous

[MikeFish]

I did tell ya!

[MikeFish]

Yeah or get the tyres swapped over sides half way through might get a tad more life out of them.

On the plus side though more neg camber should make it corner better

I thought more negative camber wpuld give less contact area and therefore less grip?

The problem with the the Eagle F1s is that they are not diectional as such, they have an edge which must face outwards so you cant really swap the tyre and tranpose it onto the other side as the same edge will be facing inwards. I could swap front to rear though but that will only work if I have the correct camber at the rear (which I dont now as I turned them in on Monday to create a bit more clearance) which will hopefully be sorted once I get the new narrower tyres fitted.

[Deano_123]

I did tell ya!

Last minute xmas shopping and now I'm banned from the underground parking in Newcastle

[RS4_Ollie]

Yeah or get the tyres swapped over sides half way through might get a tad more life out of them.

On the plus side though more neg camber should make it corner better

I thought more negative camber wpuld give less contact area and therefore less grip?

It does give slightly less contact while going straight but when you turn, the car rolls to the outside of the corner which makes the top of the outside wheels lean out, this then counters the neg camber and makes the tyres contact patch more. Obviously there is a point where too much wont be good and more does make it more skittish in a straight line. What's best for going straight is not best for cornering so its all a compromise.

Fitted my springs yesterday and the front camber doesn't *look* bad at all but ill keep my eyes on the tire wear. Now got to see if my alignment centre is open tomorrow to get the toe sorted.

[RS4_Ollie]

Had my car aligned today and front camber was still within spec just, so shan't be bothering with the adjustable top arms

[MikeFish]

Had my car aligned today and front camber was still within spec just, so shan't be bothering with the adjustable top arms

That's good news! Mine must have been so far out due to the combination of lowering, new arms and new shocks all at the same time. I've noticed since adjusting the rear camber last week that it rubs a lot less over speed humps as expected.

[Rick_RS4]

Had my car aligned today and front camber was still within spec just, so shan't be bothering with the adjustable top arms

had mine 4 wheeled last year and it went through ok, they didnt say anything, but yours is lower than mine tho,

my leon went through a set of tyres in 4-5k on the inside edge whe i had that

[MikeFish]

Had the Eagle F1s fitted today. This stopped the pulling to the right that I was getting. I'm now sitting at the alignment Shop having the excessive rear negative camber corrected as I now have more clearance with the narrower 255 tyres. But do I need spacers now? Hmmmmmmmm.