Wheel geometry question

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nokivasara
nokivasara
2
Joined: 27 Nov 2014, 20:53

Wheel geometry question

Post

I was watching a season review from 1998 and the Argentinian race in Buenos Aires in particular and was shocked by how twitchy the cars were. Even running in the pitlane they sort of shot to the left and right all the time.

I watched every race back then and didn't think of it but seeing it now, almost 17 years later was a shocker!

The Buenos Aires track was bumpy so I figured they had tweaked the wheel angles but I really would like to know why they were that "nervous". Was it because of camber/caster/toe in or something completely different?

olefud
olefud
79
Joined: 13 Mar 2011, 00:10
Location: Boulder, Colorado USA

Re: Wheel geometry question

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I can’t say specifically, but front toe out will generate twitch, particularly during straight line braking. The car when traveling straight will track the more heavily-loaded tire which, in turn, will transfer weight to the other side and so forth. On the other hand, toe out may assist turn in and is steady state when actually turning.