Club G40 Forum

Technical => Chassis & Braking => Topic started by: pettsy on July 26, 2010, 08:45:40 PM

Title: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: pettsy on July 26, 2010, 08:45:40 PM
Just about to send my rebuilt G for its first MOT after fitting a PPP subframe. What and how should i be setting the castor of the subframe? What settings are people running on here?

Pettsy

Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: Etches on July 26, 2010, 09:12:44 PM
Presume its similar to my pps one , using the adjustable arms
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: hayesey on July 26, 2010, 09:58:22 PM
this page seems to have a reasonable explanation of castor angle part way down:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=4

Not sure of the factory angle for a mk3 polo but +5deg or +6deg is common I think.  For a road car you probably want it set about there.  Increasing the angle can help with stability round corners but gives heavier steering and the cornering advantage is minimal to un-noticeable on road.  But the big issue is that with the fixed anti-roll bar, lowering a polo cocks up the standard castor angle, reducing it significantly and the subframe allows you to get it back to normal or increase it if you want to.
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: Andy on July 26, 2010, 10:15:10 PM
If you've previously had the G-laderseite blocks fitted, then measure your wheelbase before fitting the subframe - then set the subframe up to give a similar wheelbase measurement. The frame allows you to get it even both sides.
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: pettsy on July 26, 2010, 11:27:14 PM
i understand the theory of castor, was just kind of after a ballpark figure to set it upto? I seem to remember someone talking about a measurement from the centre of the rear wheel to the centre of the front hub?

Never had g-laderseite blocks fitted,they're still sat in the garage  ::)
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: hayesey on July 27, 2010, 09:17:31 AM
have you not got any polos with standard suspension in your collection to measure the wheelbase of?
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: Andy on July 27, 2010, 11:51:09 AM
What suspension and wheel/tyre combo are you using? I can go and measure mine to give you an idea, but it'll only be relevant if you're lowered by the same amount (40mm) and are running the same wheels/tyres (175/50 R13)
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: giorgio on July 28, 2010, 06:21:30 PM
Polo wheelbase is different left to right (when I measured) so I wouldn't use that as a reference point.

I will try to dig up my sheet but in the end I just put it on a ramp with a set of laser trackers and messed about for a day until I found the right balance between nice turn in and barely acceptable parking.
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: Yoof on July 28, 2010, 07:06:53 PM
Wheelbase should be the same- that's the point of the subframe.

You need a straight back axle though.

Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: G-spot on July 28, 2010, 08:50:12 PM
Quote from: Andy on July 27, 2010, 11:51:09 AM
What suspension and wheel/tyre combo are you using? I can go and measure mine to give you an idea, but it'll only be relevant if you're lowered by the same amount (40mm) and are running the same wheels/tyres (175/50 R13)

Wheel base is not effected by size as long as you measure off the same location front and back, ie; leading edge of front rim and leading edge of rear rim(prividing you have the same wheels front and rear :D), or likewise with the centerline of the wheel
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: Yoof on July 28, 2010, 11:20:06 PM
True Jason, I always take it from the centre of each wheel, made a small adapter to help the measurements.

Getting the rear axle straight is the biggest pain in the arse!
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: jez1272gt on July 29, 2010, 01:46:19 AM
your best bet is to use a digital castor/caber tool on the front struts to set up your frame. with this set equally on both front struts then you can measure the distance to the rear wheels on both sides to set/square up the rear beam if possible...
Title: Re: Setting castor on PPP subframe?
Post by: giorgio on July 29, 2010, 06:14:12 PM
Quote from: Yoof on July 28, 2010, 11:20:06 PM
True Jason, I always take it from the centre of each wheel, made a small adapter to help the measurements.

Getting the rear axle straight is the biggest pain in the arse!

If you ever take it off (brackets off the chassis) then scribe around them so you can put them back in the same place. Might not be right but its a good place to start.