Hello and advice on setting toe-in

[Jimmerog]

Hello. I am the new owner of a 91 SEIW. If there is anyone in the Devon, Cornwall or Bath area please say hello!

the car has 2degrees toe in set. Would this seem a reasonable baseline? The car feels very nervous at speed in a straight line and I wondered whether I should experiment with more toe. If so, what would a turn of adjustment equate to? How does 1mm compare with 1 degree? Baseline front and rear ride height would also be welcomed. Many thanks

[Phil J]

Hi Jimmerog,

It is nice to learn that there is another westy on this side of the Tamar!

There are a few of us in Cornwall but we're spread out, I'm in Looe.

I can't really help with your questions as I have a (never finished) prelit and a narrow SEI but for that the Westfield build manual gives 1degree 16 minutes (or less) toe in and ride height as 5 inches front and   5.25 inches at rear (both plus or minus 1 inch)  based on 185/60 13 tyres but I'm sure someone will be better able to advise. The manual also gives toe in, caster and camber angles for the rear end as well!

Regards, Phil 

[Jimmerog]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for your help. You are not far away! I have bought the car from the brother of a friend who has built a Caterham, and has become my go to man for advice! Would be good to meet up sometime. I am in Rilla Mill. I’ll have a play with mine sometime and see if I can stop scaring myself heading up the road.

 

Jim

[John (Kernow)]

Hi Jim, I went out with you and Ben on a very cold run upto Bude. Glad it didn’t put you off and you’ve bought the car.

There is more activity around here now with at least 3 others owners in Tavistock so we might get some regular meets this summer will keep you informed. John

[CraigHew]

Have a butchers at this.

http://westfield-world.com/suspension.html

ride height, toe in etc down the bottom of first page.

[Jimmerog]

9 hours ago, Kernow said:

Hi Jim, I went out with you and Ben on a very cold run upto Bude. Glad it didn’t put you off and you’ve bought the car.

There is more activity around here now with at least 3 others owners in Tavistock so we might get some regular meets this summer will keep you informed. John

Hi John!

yes, I found your Westfield and a cold run very inspiring! Would be good to have something to compare handling to. Not sure mine is set up correctly. Look forward to catching up on a warmer day!

 

jim

[Jimmerog]

9 hours ago, CraigHew said:

Have a butchers at this.

http://westfield-world.com/suspension.html

ride height, toe in etc down the bottom of first page.

Thanks. Is the 1mm measured between front and rear of wheel?

[CosKev]

I would take it to your local alignment place and get a print out of what it's currently running.

Front tracking is easy for any alignment place to set up,its when you start wanting to change camber etc that they get scared and shy away from kit cars!

Pretty sure your toe in is too much, and that will cause the car to feel unstable

[stephenh]

It sounds quite a lot of toe in to me! Don't forget that the toe is adjustable on the back as well on all or most of the independent rear suspension cars. 

In my admittedly limited experience, most cases of unstable handling on these cars is more likely to be down to excessive tyre pressures, or suspension setup rather than steering set up, but it all needs looking at if you aren't happy.

What are your tyre pressures, as that is the easiest thing to start with. Most run them around 18psi for road use, less on track.

[Jimmerog]

43 minutes ago, stephenh said:

It sounds quite a lot of toe in to me! Don't forget that the toe is adjustable on the back as well on all or most of the independent rear suspension cars. 

In my admittedly limited experience, most cases of unstable handling on these cars is more likely to be down to excessive tyre pressures, or suspension setup rather than steering set up, but it all needs looking at if you aren't happy.

What are your tyre pressures, as that is the easiest thing to start with. Most run them around 18psi for road use, less on track.

Thanks both. I believe it is 2 degrees toe in and 15psi at the front.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

On a new to you car, it’s always worth getting a full geo set up done, as it massively affects the handleing, and will then give you a known good baseline if anything needs further adjustment later on.

There isn’t really a single correct geometry setup, instead it’s more of a range of combinations of settings that work well, but each give subtly different benefits, reflecting the preferred style of the individual driver, and whether the car is more road or track orientated. This is why, specially for that first time, it’s worth going to a specialist that knows the cars well, even if it means traveling a bit further. They will be able to listen to your feedback and help guide you to the right combination for you.

2 degrees toe in, does sound a lot, and 15psi is quite low, you’d be amazed in cars as light as these how much even 1psi can make a difference.

As has been said, there are some good starting point geo suggestions on the site linked to. 

[Sparkymart]

Hi Jim sorry I'm a bit late to the party. I took my Westy to Matt at A1 tyres at Bodmin he's got  4 wheel laser alignment machine and he used to own a Westfield so he knows all about them total transformed mine

http://www.a1tyres.org.uk

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

2 hours ago, Martin Rice (Sparkymart) - Cornwall AO said:

Hi Jim sorry I'm a bit late to the party. I took my Westy to Matt at A1 tyres at Bodmin he's got  4 wheel laser alignment machine and he used to own a Westfield so he knows all about them total transformed mine

http://www.a1tyres.org.uk

That’s the company name! I was trying to remember what Mat’s business was called. Yes, definitely plus 1 to that suggestion. It’s a long time since the car was at Procomp, and the following years may or may not have been kind to the set up.