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Author Topic: Change of ride height, unintentional...  (Read 3610 times)

Offline flashp

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Change of ride height, unintentional...
« on: August 31, 2016, 09:57:12 am »
I changed my tyres for a more track focused type (NS-2R) ahead of a track day the next day and I think that since then I've noticed that I seem to clip the ground when I come down speed bumps and also there's a large dip in a road with a double compression at the bottom which has also started to be problem. These are slight connections with the soft plastic deflectors on the underside at normal previously OK speeds so not a major deal but something has clearly changed.

I'm at something of a loss to explain it. The new tyres are exactly the same size. The sidewall is stiffer than the old tyres and the load rating is the same.
They did provide much more grip than the PSS on the trackday. The brakes were able to be applied later and harder. It did occur to me that maybe the loading that can be applied by the brakes in conjunction with these tyres has effectively added compression loads to the springs that weren't possible previously and now they've settled at a new ride height. Other than this I thought that there could be a another common component that has affected bot sides at the front.

All speculation of course. If anyone has any other notions I'd be happy to here them!  :happy2:


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Offline pudding

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2016, 10:23:09 am »
That's a bit of a strange one!

My first thought is if the sidewalls aren't deflecting as much as the old tyres, that force could be transferring to the springs instead?




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Offline rich83

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2016, 10:29:59 am »
Are you sure it's not the tyre hitting the wheel arch?

Offline flashp

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2016, 10:32:01 am »
That's a bit of a strange one!

My first thought is if the sidewalls aren't deflecting as much as the old tyres, that force could be transferring to the springs instead?
That's good bit of lateral thinking, tyre could possibly be regarded as a suspension component.

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Offline Eccie

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2016, 10:32:22 am »
This post maybe more appropriate on another forum........weightwatchers  :laugh:


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Offline flashp

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2016, 10:38:05 am »
Are you sure it's not the tyre hitting the wheel arch?
I'd had a look and thought not but I don't think I can afford to say categorically no. At present there appears to be no new damage to the liners.
Maybe I'll have to stop the car on one of these and have a look at where the underside is with respect to the ground for a start.

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Offline flashp

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2016, 10:40:22 am »
This post maybe more appropriate on another forum........weightwatchers  :laugh:
:slap:

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Offline pudding

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2016, 03:22:53 pm »
That's a bit of a strange one!

My first thought is if the sidewalls aren't deflecting as much as the old tyres, that force could be transferring to the springs instead?
That's good bit of lateral thinking, tyre could possibly be regarded as a suspension component.

When I had KW V3s on an old car, I had to tweak the dampers a bit if I changed tyre brand!


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Offline flashp

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2016, 05:57:52 pm »
I must admit I'd happily raise it a bit if I could. Lowering was never my priority, just to improve the handling.
Switching to coilovers for this alone would be a little bit crackers maybe, I only do 3 or 4 trackdays a year.
Not sure that my tyre choice was entirely wise if this turns out to be the issue. The car will retire from daily duties in 4 weeks or so.

« Last Edit: August 31, 2016, 10:34:53 pm by flashp »

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Offline ducman77

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2016, 09:09:13 pm »
Can't really comment on your tire/suspension woes.....

But I can say....

Your car is gorgeous :love:

Looks great :smiley: :happy2:

Offline FJ1000

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2016, 11:01:33 pm »
Sure it's not just the undertray? Could it have sustained some damage and be hanging low?


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Offline flashp

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Re: Change of ride height, unintentional...
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2016, 11:03:41 pm »
Sure it's not just the undertray? Could it have sustained some damage and be hanging low?


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I don't think so, it looked in place and intact but it could be worth further inspection to be sure.

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