Wheel alignment

[PHIL_SELF_2]

Recently I had 4 new Bridgestone SO3 (225/45ZR17) fitted followed eventually by new Konis fitted together with replacement top mounts, front steering arms & then had a wheel alignment done but I'm not convinced that the set up is a great improvement. The composure & stability seems a bit lacking.
Question is what are opinions about the set up, or is there something else that I should consider?

Regards

Phil

[robo]

Yep I have this problem too, after new f1's my car is floating .
Most bushes are new and comp. new suspension, also had wheel alignment done twice still not happy.
Rob

[AAH!]

This is a huge subject with much discussion and many views and opinions about all the various pros and cons of green top mounts vs blue top mounts vs QRSport ali mounts, powerflex bushes vs OEM bushes, Koni vs Bilstein, springs, coil covers, ARB's, drop links, and so on.

The link below takes you to the S2 Forums "Suspension and Stearing" page (over 3000 posts!) and a good deal of the info is relevant to RS2's and indeed many RS2 owners post there as well. The whole suspension/feel thing is the next area for me to look into and I am a little daunted by the amount of variables and the amount of info.

Take a deep breath before hitting the link, there is a lot of stuff to assimulate.
http://www.s2forum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13

From what I've read QRSport seem to have good rep for getting suspension right.
http://www.qrsport.com/

HTH
Angus

[alastairg]

Recently I had 4 new Bridgestone SO3 (225/45ZR17) fitted followed eventually by new Konis fitted together with replacement top mounts, front steering arms & then had a wheel alignment done but I'm not convinced that the set up is a great improvement. The composure & stability seems a bit lacking.
Question is what are opinions about the set up, or is there something else that I should consider?

Regards

Phil

Your car should feel better IMHO. Two questions
1 What tyre pressures are you running ?
2 What settings are the konis ?
I have had the same done to my car since purchase ( even same tyres ! ) and I think the set up is almost there.

[hiltron]

I have also done everything, Koni's, joints etc. Had alignment done about 3 months ago. Was very very nice. Had alignment re-done about 2 weeks ago, same guy same machine but just not quite exactly same. Will be going back with first alignment printout sometime to have it re-done. Will post specs on first alignment specs sometime.

[GlynRS2]

The whole suspension/feel thing is the next area for me to look into

Me too. Thanks for the link. Certainly plenty to consider

[Greg_S]

Ive had the suspension apart on my coupe about 5 or 6 times to adjust things and think im getting closer to a good setup now. Currenty I have uprated ARB's all round (RS2 on front) powerflex bushes all round and blue top mounts looking to change to the qr sports ones. I drove a car with those fitted and the turn in feel is much improved over the stock and is very sensitive.

As for the KONI's I have 3/4 of a turn from soft on the front and 1/2 on the rear which seems a good compromise for the road, they could do with being very slightly harder so when I take them apart again will put 1 turn on the front and leave the rear as is.

Greg

[hiltron]

My alignment which felt very good.
Front: Castor. 1deg38 and 1deg52
Camber: -0deg41 and -0deg56
Toe: 0deg05 and 0deg05. Total: 0deg10
Rear: Camber: -1deg01 and -1deg01
Toe: 0deg08 and 0deg08. Total: 0deg16.

All within RS2 standard specs.

[alastairg]

Ive had the suspension apart on my coupe about 5 or 6 times to adjust things and think im getting closer to a good setup now. Currenty I have uprated ARB's all round (RS2 on front) powerflex bushes all round and blue top mounts looking to change to the qr sports ones. I drove a car with those fitted and the turn in feel is much improved over the stock and is very sensitive.

As for the KONI's I have 3/4 of a turn from soft on the front and 1/2 on the rear which seems a good compromise for the road, they could do with being very slightly harder so when I take them apart again will put 1 turn on the front and leave the rear as is.

Greg

Greg, QR top mounts. I have a set that I have not fitted yet. My slight concern is the potential for stress effects on the steel turret mounting area. I know the argument re making the damper do its job in taking the load. However I remained concerned until, I guess, others have BTDT.
My feeling is standard springs, uprated dampers OEM, Koni, or Bilstein (if and when rear avant avaliable), Top mounts of either colour, front wishbone uprated bushes with standard sub frame bushes.
I guess its conservative but my RS2 is used every day on UK roads rather than the occasional track outing. I want responsive handling but
accceptable ride.
Any views ?

[PHIL_SELF_2]

Thanks for all the input, fellas. I've had a few probs in the last couple of weeks which prevented me from responding & now I'm off to la belle France for another couple of weeks, so I'll reply in detail to various questions & thoughts that you have raised when I get back

Regards

Phil

[maRS2]

I'm very happy from my wheel alignement nice turn in and very neutral when off the throtle litle oversteer:
Front: Castor. 1deg53 and 1deg45
Camber: -1deg25 and -1deg25
Toe: 0.7mm and 0.8mm. Total: 1.5mm
Rear: Camber: -0deg51 and -0deg49
Toe: 1mm and 1mm. Total: 2mm

In france we get most of the time toe in in Minimeter (mm)