front wheels

Clan Chieftain · Post by **Clan Chieftain** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:56 pm

The front wheels on 5055 are not sitting vertical. They are both in at the top as if the suspension was too low,but is not. When I got the car at first it was more pronounced until I spoke to Frank about it. With 5055 being so early it would have had the earlier swivel pins fitted,but they had been changed to the later ones but there were no spacer plates behind the shock absorbers. Frank sent me up a couple and they were fitted and I got the tracking done again.The wheels still sit in at the top. Its even worse looking when there are 2 people in the front. Spoke to Frank last week and one of his sits the same. Any ideas.???? The car drives ok but it just doesnt look right compared to other marinas I have had over the years.

JIM73 · Post by **JIM73** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:04 am

You need to move the splines up 2 notches Larry !!

Clan Chieftain · Post by **Clan Chieftain** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:15 am

I spoke about that as well to Frank. How does that change the way the wheel sits Jim. Does it not just alter the height.?

Marinanut · Post by **Marinanut** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:09 am

All the Marinas I've had apart from an old Mk1 1.3 have had the wheels 'lean in' at the top. Both the GT and the Ital estate do it and to be honest, unless you're after tyre-squealing understeer authenticity, I wouldn't worry about it. The geometry on the Marina isn't great and a touch more camber can only help.

JIM73 · Post by **JIM73** » Sun May 18, 2008 12:35 pm

When i changed Becks to a later setup i was shocked at the amount of camber !! Yes you can leave it but you'll eat tyres at a very quick rate !! I tried everything to "not" move the splines , but i'm glad i did in the end !! As for the height you can still adjust on the adjusters , just take a measure off one of your other marina's and take it from the centre of the hub to the bottom of the wing !! Or adjust to whatever you think looks good !!

But remember no more than two notches !!

Clan Chieftain · Post by **Clan Chieftain** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:21 pm

Thanks lads..Just back from a 70 mile round trip today and at 45mph and upwards it starts to vibrate through the tunnel...probably the propshaft. If its not one thing its another.

Uncle Frank · Post by **Uncle Frank** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:40 pm

8) I think Jim is probably right Larry, the two notches i suggested on Becks` blue coupe did seem to do the trick, so perhaps i should `practice what i preach` and do the same :roll: ...then maybe my van will sit up a bit better aye!

Kilroy · Post by **Kilroy** » Mon May 19, 2008 6:46 am

Yes folks - adjusting the ride height definitely alters the camber.
Lowering my Mk3 fleet results in about 1 degree negative camber for about 1.5-2 inches lower.
I find it quickens the steering a bit - nice for the twisty stuff - but more critical of lines and ridges on the straight.
As usual its a compromise - they handle better lower - but you get negative camber.
As suggested - you can alleviate the situation by applying spacers behind the shock absorbers. I would suggest a solid plate to be more desirable than washers at each mounting point - that could lead to fractures..!
Cheers,
Kilroy