J-Spec Imports wrote:
It's not traditional bump steer where as the suspension compresses it pulls on the suspension arm or moves the subframe which alters the geometry at the front, which is what to me 'real' bump steer is.
I think we are in violent agreement about what bump steer is normally.
J-Spec Imports wrote:
Instead in my case and I think Rich's the suspension is so stiff that if you hit a bump there is so little give that rather than the wheel/suspension absorb the bump as it should, instead the corner of the car is shot up and the load on the tyre is significantly reduced, which hurts grip.
My point about the rubber mounted front subframes that are in the later Minis (UK built 1976 onwards) is that when the rubber deteriorates, you get quite violent steering by the subframe. Sometimes the mounts can be so bad or even broken, that when the subframe moves it comes to a violent stop within the confines of the body and you feel that as the lurch it seems you are getting.
If you and Richie have not at least replaced the rubber mounts on the front subframe with new ones, then even a replacement cone, smootharide or coil spring will make no difference to this aspect.
When i replaced the front subframe front and rear mounts with solid and the tower mounts (under the big bolts) with polyurethane, it transformed the car into something drivable. I did not really realise how bad it was before until i had done this.
Have you and Richie at least checked or replaced the front subframe mounts?
J-Spec Imports wrote:
Instead in my case and I think Rich's the suspension is so stiff that if you hit a bump there is so little give that rather than the wheel/suspension absorb the bump as it should, instead the corner of the car is shot up and the load on the tyre is significantly reduced, which hurts grip.
The second point i made about the amount of travel you have between the upper arm and the bump stop can also feel like this. The cones are actually pretty forgiving, but if the car leans over reducing the bump stop clearance and the upper arm suddenly travels up in bump, it can hit the bump stop which can really be felt in the car, and yes lose grip like you say. If there is very little travel, you can even get this with no body roll in a straight line, for example if hi-los have been lowered way too far.
Have you and Richie checked the clearance to the bump stops at normal ride height?
cheers
michael
ps I still want to see the pics of the Mini40!
_________________
the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by
http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates