So where are the rose joints on the beam - I still dont fully get it.

As I understand it - the 6 degrees refers to the angle between the plane of the rear axle (ie parallel with the drive shafts) and the angle of the rear beam mounting arms.

Is this right?

JJ

 

You could always fit a set of Kumho Ditch Finders (TM) to round off your total handling package ready for our trip to the ring next month.

Having these tyres fitted would negate any hint of understeer that you talk about!

 

Have you paid Chip the royalties for the above TM turn of phrase Silver?

 

Beer is in the post as we speak...

 

So where are the rose joints on the beam - I still dont fully get it.

As I understand it - the 6 degrees refers to the angle between the plane of the rear axle (ie parallel with the drive shafts) and the angle of the rear beam mounting arms.

Is this right?

JJ

 

I am sure it wasnt just me.....



I had never heard of a rose joint before,

 

Just a brief update.

Adjustable TCAs fitted, along with new polybushes to all of front, and the big rear beam mounts.

Turn in is much improved - quite surprised how much difference there was.

Not related to the front specifically, but wierd thing is the noise transmission - particularly at high speeds - sounds a bit like a subwoofer in the boot playing a single test note (kinda like going over the white line by the hard shoulder). Anyone else experienced this?

JJ

 

you will obviously get more noise transmitted through the car when using a harder material to bush the car.

just imagine what its like with rose joints or metal bushings

and thats what my car is like, apart from the odd polybush on the front ARB

 

https://passionford.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=258776

 

Thanks Ryan!

Thats a relief! I thought someone had smuggled a subwoofer into the car, and was only turning it on over 100mph!

Charlie,

The beam looks quite impressive! Certainly looks up to the job

JJ

 

Very good IMO!

 

I noticed the same James - big improvement to my mind. I'd like the rear beam and frame connectors yet

 

Glad its not just me, Mike -

The rear beam ultimately will need to be done once money has been set aside.

To be honest I wasnt expecting a great deal of difference based on Mike Rs earlier comments, but I find the change quite significant.

I have tried two setups - first was lots of camber to see a pronounced change (approx 2.25 deg neg). Now set up ffor a more road addressed 1.5 deg. Much more stable now, and still noticeable imrovement in turn in!

JJ

 

Looking forward to seeing Mike's article in FF today as well. I find it quite interesting how small/subtle geometry tweaks affect how the car behaves on the road. From what Mike says, the rear beam makes one of the biggest differences of all.

Sometimes you don't realise how good your own car feels until you try one that's just been lowered on anonymous springs and dampers with knackered bushes and is wearing big wheels

By the same token I'd like to try a really well set up one with a rear beam to see how much better it is..............all in good time

 

Mike R

Just read your article out in Fast Ford on the handling bits.

What road tyres do you run on your Escort now - Paradas?

Re the settings on castor of 3.5degs - is that for all. Didn't the Sapphires
have a degree more than the 3-door as part of the changes?
Do you know what a standard 2wd 4-door "should" have?

 

Dunlop Super Sport Race 245/35x 18.

I don't know what the Sapphires "should" have, this is the Grp A tarmac setting for castor, and in my experience, this gives a nice "feel", so I have stuck with it . As I have said on here, experiment and see what YOU like the feel of .

 

what rear diff did you use in the saff Mike? i only ask because the ATB has a strange feel to it, that sometimes feels like it's the rear suspension 'acting up'

i think with a standard or non ATB diff my car would feel almost perfect

 

Interesting - I will go out and buy a copy of this months - I think Stu also did quite an interesting write up in this months also so should eb good!

Reading two whole articles in FF would actually be a personal best!

Mike - if its any help, I use the Paradas - they are simply stunning in the dry! I wouldnt have any other tyre now with the possible exception of the Road legal slicks

I have also compared them back to back with ~Goodyear GSD3's, and they kick their arse in the dry!

JJ

JJ

 

Well if do want to get rid of the ATB mate give me a shout.

 

Martin,
I ran an ATB and Ahmed's rear beam on the Sierra. I thought it was awesome .

Regarding the article, I can hardly take any credit for it, as all my knowledge about suspension has been handed down from Mr Bayjoo over the years I have known him . To make sure it was all correct, I even got him to check it first before I submitted it . By comparison, he forgets more than I know .

The spring rates and things I have learned in developing the handling on my Escort are down to me (and again I have been guided in the right direction by listening to Ahmed's views on suspension over the years), but the rear beam is nothing to do with me, that is totally Ahmed, I just fitted one on his advice (all those years ago), expecting NOTHING - it was one of the best mods I did to the car !

 

Anyone on here got any knowledge of the re-rated CTS diff i.e the std VC one with the "motorsport" planet gears? There's a price for it in the CTS article in FF but no real blurb about it?

 

Everyone goes for a second hand replacement or an ATB then when their old one goes.....?

 

I have only ever killed one diff (so far....) and I replaced it with a second hand one.

I must admit, I was going to go down the ATB route, but I heard some differing views on them. Given that Mike is a fan, I would suggest that it is probably a good thing.

I personally would like to experience one first hand before deciding. I am quite a big fan of a straight forward LSD, so a little reluctant.

JJ

 

I read in that CTS article than Bernie was a fan of the VC LSD - that's why I wondered about the "re-rated" one with "motorsport" planet gears

 

i have now ordered an adjustable zoo beam and so my setup will be;

Koni shocks with Ahmed/Leda springs
3dr front hubs
Adjustable TCA's
Zoo Adjustable rose jointed beam
Quaife ATB diff
Yoko Parada tyres

i'm hoping the beam will be the final jigsaw piece that transforms the car the turn in is already very very good with a great feel to the steering, now i want the back of the car to feel like it's attached to the front and follow it properly

i'll keep you all updated with how it feels if your interested?

 

I am definatly interested Martin

I already got most of my bits or they are on order. Just need to get cash sorted for my beam, then save for my ATB. Are you going for Escos rear ARB aswell?

What beam have you gone for Martin? Strapped or Normal?

What width are your Pradas 215? i Have 235/40/17 T1-R's on the back of mine at the min. I was wondering with the the Prada's having a better contact patch they might be better even though they are not as wide.

 

Yes - definately!

I have the Parada Tyres - very very good, forget all others except road legal slicks IMHO

I have the 3 door hubs, the Adjustable TCAs and I currently have Koni Shockers with AVO std road height springs, which I am very very pleased with.

The diff I am not too worried about at this stage, but the rear beam is the big jigsaw bit I keep putting off!

Will be most interested to compare notes!

JJ

 

Very interested Martin! Let us know what you think

 

Ok guys, i'll let you know how it goes, i don't expect it to be on for at least another week or so


i've gone for the normal road beam, after a quick chat it seems the strapped version is not necessary for a road car

and yes, the Parada's are 215's...i find them much grippier than the old 245 falkens i ran before, although wet grip is poor

 

got my 3 door hubs on and adj TCA's with Comp struts just need to sort an ARB out... oh and prehaps an engine LOL

 

Cheers Martin I still go loads of tread left on my Toyos, but how long that will last once i have go car back i dont know I am Tempted by the Prada's but the Toyo's do make good alrounders. Might just have to get another set of wheels with full on trackday tyres.

Let me know how you get on with Rear beam Martin.

 

Hi Doh,

I thought that u didnt need arb's with comp struts?

JJ

 

JjCoDeX75 Track cars dont as you can use really stiff spring rates to make up for it. You can imagine this on a road car with bumps etc, it isnt the best idea. You can use drop links so you can use both but tbh on a road car you dont comp struts. Thats what Mike said to me anyway when i was looking into them.

 

Hmm interesting.

I must admit, I have always disregarded Comp Struts as too track oriented, and what you have been told seems to accord with that!

Still quite enjoying the change that the 3door hubs and TCAs make at the mo!

JJ

 

JjCoDeX75I still need to fit mine, just waiting on the TCA's.

Shims will be going on the rear till i can sort rear beam.

 

Ooo - do me a favour. If you can do the front, then drive, then do rear shims, and then tell me how much difference shims make - I hadnt thought of this!

Where did you get the shims?

JJ

 

I will probably have the shims in before i get the hubs on tbh bud. I will let you know how i get on.

I have some MikeR shims. Mine came off a mate who had a set in this garage he had never used. Think they are only about a tenner off mike though.

 

If you have spares, PM me and i will part with silver

JJ

 

Sorry mate only got one set

 

Bloody selfish that is

JJ