18 replies to this topic

[Ricky2772]

I was informed by Cicastol that there is a simple and effective mod to reduce the bump-steer effect on elise/speedster.... that is, the annoying tendency of the steering wheel to follow ondulations of the road with pronounced steering pull... the steering rack + footwell attachments are the same on both elise and Vx, so the mod suits both cars. lifting up few mm. the steering rack reduces such tendency greatly how is this done? installing under the footwell modified shims with higher bolting holes: the black one is the stock one, the steel one is the new one... the two holes are drilled 4 mm. higer, keeping the bottom rivet hole the same.

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Edited by Ricky2772, 02 June 2005 - 04:07 PM.

[Ricky2772]

firstly you have to drill away the bottom rivet from the stock shims (in both footwells) ...easily done, contortionist-position aside... the two bolts are 17 and 12mm...beware not to remove'em at the same time, otherwise the rack will fall down... only loosen'em both, and remove/replace one side at a time.

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Edited by Ricky2772, 02 June 2005 - 03:49 PM.

[Ricky2772]

those are the tools needed, plus a rivet gun the 17mm bolt is a bitch, since you need a thin-walled sprocket to fit into the idiotic-engineered "U" shaped support...

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[Ricky2772]

when the two bolts and shim are removed, it will look like this, wth the hole in the center. rotating the wheel a bit, the rack will move up, as per the right image...

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[Ricky2772]

then you position the new shim with the rivet in place, insert the bolts while keeping the holes aligned with the wheel... once the bolts are in place, use the rivet-gun. leave the bolts a bit loose while doing the other side.... once all four bolts are in place, thighten it all...

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[Ricky2772]

beware that you'll be working in VERY akward positions for a somewhat extended time, so if your back is not in optimal shape, you might run into trouble.... having someone around ready to extricate you out, might be a wise idea...

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[cyberman]

Excellent instructions Ricky. How well does it work on the road? Regards - Ian

[Ricky2772]

I had a friend laser-cut the shims from a 2mm plate... shims are rectangles 78x20mm, and holes can be drilled removing a stock one as template, and drilling the holes 4mm upward... or I could ask my friend to ship'em to those interested at a small charge (i assume... ) haven't driven the speedy hard yet, so I cannot report much... but there is a subtle but definite difference in normal driving... lighter feel and less heaviness while cornering... bumps are less noticeable.

[cyberman]

Ricky Sounds interesting so far. Can you please go out and "earhole it" round some bad road and report in? Nitron (I think) are selling a v. expensive rack which they claim does a similar job. If this is the effect they have achieved (lifting up the point of action) then yours and Cicastols' solution is clearly preferable. Very interesting, thank you. Ian

[cicastol]

Great job Ricky!! You will notice a great improvement only with lowered ride height,when hitting a bump the car go straight without need to do rapid correction with steering wheel

[caleebra]

This has nothing to do with the thread, but I got an intense sense of deja-vu when I opened this... had to check the date on the post! Wierd. Anyway, I'll shut up now.

[the gits]

Bump steer..... Plans have rack raising plates in stock and fit them whenever we reduce ride height. Not worth making you own. As a special offer (at last a thread on the subject!) we will supply free of charge with any set of dampers or anti-roll bar shipped mail order or fitted by us...

[Ducati996Senna]

Elise parts also sell these plates at very little cost.

[cyberman]

As a special offer (at last a thread on the subject!) we will supply free of charge with any set of dampers or anti-roll bar shipped mail order or fitted by us...

Graham

Is this a retrospective offer or "new customers only"? 'Cause if its retrospective may I have a set please? Elsewise please advise a cost.

Kind regards - Ian

[clipping_point]

Maybe I´ll do this mod if I lower it further! Great guide!! BTW: you are a great guy but a lousy photographer

[Muncher]

Any news on how it effects the car?

[Ricky2772]

Maybe I´ll do this mod if I lower it further! Great guide!!


BTW: you are a great guy but a lousy photographer

you sucker... I used the lowest resolution to make it easier to download....

haven't driven the speedy anymore, so can't add much...

[clipping_point]

When does it happen, the bump-steer? Currently I´m running 125/135 mm with no problem. Is it around the 100 mm mark the spacers are needed?

[cicastol]

When does it happen, the bump-steer? Currently I´m running 125/135 mm with no problem. Is it around the 100 mm mark the spacers are needed?

at 125\135mm you are in the safe area with no need for such mod,but if you run lower than this you'll definitely need this mod,now i'm running at 110\120 and i noted huge improvement in stability with this mod.
When hitting a hole now the car is much more stable and you don't need to do rapid correction with the steering wheel like before.
Next week i'll lower my car to 100\110 with uprated springs rate overall and helper springs on the front.