RTH2 Tire Wear

[Steve Chryssos]

Maybe this belongs in the tire section, but I figured tire wear depends on suspension components, so we might find more interesting discussion here. It's good to see that my tires were not "rolling over" at RTH2. The course includes a hard right hand turn where the car is partially on the apron with the left front tire up on the banking of turn one.
In another spot, at the end of turn three there is a slalom that is immediately followed by a super tight left hairpin where it seems that the entire car's load is being carried by the right front as you turn into the infield. Both situations put the outside front tire in extreme bump.

Tires are Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR 255/35-18 and 285/35-18 on Kinesis Forged 3-piece 8" and 10" wheels.

[David Pozzi]

On courses where you get really heavy loads like that, extra air pressure sometimes helps. But if you aren't rolling the tire over washing out the front suspension, then it probably isnt needed.

[Boulder69]

Steve - I saw your thread on the 285s out back, what did you do to fit the 255s up front? Steering stops? Thanks. -e

[Steve Chryssos]

On courses where you get really heavy loads like that, extra air pressure sometimes helps. But if you aren't rolling the tire over washing out the front suspension, then it probably isnt needed.

Front tire pressure was 40 cold and rose to 45 hot. My car didn't push at all. Front springs are 550lb QA-1. We kept raising the front shock damping until we got to the middle at 7 clicks. Left the rears alone at 2. Front rotors show a little brown but no blue-ing.

Since, I'm happy with the 550 springs with an inch of preload, I want to convert to a splined front sway bar--just to mess around with different sizes.

[Steve Chryssos]

Steve - I saw your thread on the 285s out back, what did you do to fit the 255s up front? Steering stops? Thanks. -e

Eric,
I have a heavily modified ARDF front clip with C4 LCA's and uprights. Upper control arms are AFCO. They're a bit shorter than the C4 uppers that were originally installed on the clip. So the wheels will camber in quite a bit on bump. Keeps the tires flat and eliminates any major rubbing. Steering stops are custom made and adjustable. The left front wheel will rub against one of the fender to wheelhouse bolts on right hand turns. There are also wear marks on the sway bar which indicates the need for a steering stop adjustment--or not.

Kind of a one-off set up. But that's the price to pay for getting one of the first aftermarket "bolt-on" clips back in '99. Sorry that it doesn't help much with your application.

[Payton King]

but I was thrilled on how well your car did. I have seen here and other places argue time and time again about the virtues of tri-4, 4 link, 3 link, quad link...you name it on which rear suspension is the best. Looks like those old, dated design leafs, held their own. I am sure there are driving dynamics between all of the above mentioned and ride height and tuning advantages, but when it gets right down to it...on the street and light competition the driver makes the difference. Always have and probably always will. Oh yea, and tires!

You have a well sorted out car and should be proud. Still one of my favorites of all time.

back to your regularly scheduled program