understeer explanation please

dont get me wrong i know what it is, just wanting a bit of info physics wise,
 what causes it, what camber adjustments, toe in/out ,can u make, to reduce it or increase it,
 that sort of thing.
ive noticed it today, now ive got me 195 45 15s on   :wink:  , i quite like it, but need to understand it more.

cheers peeps

There's a question! Sure there must be a spot on explanation somewhere on the net but I think basically it's something about the cornering load exceeding adhesion levels, hence you steer but go straight on.

Not very good description - I think increasing negative camber can help as under hard cornering you'll have more tyre in contact with the road and therefore more grip.

When the new suspension is on get the car setup properly, theres a good place in falmouth, you will find very few places arround here do camber adjustment but these guys do and do a good job, transformed my storm when i had that done, you may want to consider polybushing the wishbones and fitting a lower strut brace as well (before getting alignment done)

This will be useful:

http://www.autozine.or…ch_handling_4.htm#Neutral

thats the puppy, nice one paul

it was rainin today, that was why i noticed it, i was givin it a bit ,now its workin, and i put my k&n filter in (chz storm!),
i had an open corner and floored it round in third, about 70ish, then it understeered, not suprisin really
when i changed the springs, i set up the camber meself for the old tyres (70s)today was the first day ive had the wheels on proper, and it was rainin,
2mo ill know if its doin it generally, i doubt it will tbh
having spent this lot im gonna save for the suspension replacement,

then its goin to falmouth tyres, :wink:  i know the one you mean, thats where it was set up last time
cant believe the difference really from 70s to 45s,much better imo

thanks guys

so what dya think to me car then storm……

The understeer will propbably get better as the tyres get scrubbed in too , have you got any updated photos ?

happy 60th by the way  

put em in chat :wink:

What did i think of it? tidy car and amazingly rot free, rear axle mountings looked realy good pretty quick as well  

it is now you fixed her :wink:

lol lets hope it was just that eh  :wink:

ive tried alot to sort out understeer by numerous ways ,tyre pressures ,tyres roll bars etc etc and there is only one way to eliminate it
change you driving style "scandanavian flick"
research that!
drive in go wide then back in sharp and then plant it and hopefully the back will step (if you are comitted :wink: ) ala no understeer 8)

theres no such thing as going in wide on most of the roads round here,
i think its cos my suspensions too soft at the rear, thats soon to be sorted

 :wink:

in the dry today and yesterday it didnt really happen, i do notice it when its wet tho

chz

jimbo16v said

ive tried alot to sort out understeer by numerous ways ,tyre pressures ,tyres roll bars etc etc and there is only one way to eliminate it
change you driving style "scandanavian flick"
research that!
drive in go wide then back in sharp and then plant it and hopefully the back will step (if you are comitted :wink: ) ala no understeer 8)

The scandanavian flick is only really appropriate for cars with a tendency to oversteer.

I am surprised that you couldn't sort out your understeer by progressively increasing spring rates and thicker anti-roll bars. Also, lower profile tyres will reduce understeer. If you really wanted to change the Golf to oversteer rather than understeer biased, you could fit lower profiles at the front, leave the rears as standard, then stiffen and roll bar it very hard. But you want a little understeer for stability, surely?

Scandanavian flick is only really any use with a rwd/4wdcar in my opinion. Why would you want understeer?   . Oversteer in a rwd/4wd is a different story he he he :twisted:

Another driving style tip, mk1s (or mine anyway) only really understeers when you plant it halfway round a corner.  If you plant on the way up to a corner and brake very lightly on entry your weight will shift to the front wheels (which obviously turn the car  :wink: ). Obviously dont stamp on the brake cos you'll skid.  Then your less likely to understeer! :mrgreen:

Ever heard of left foot braking? :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:

But yeah stiffening your rear setup would also help 8)



ps :mrgreen:

thanks mate i was hoping it was that
its no problem in the dry, but in the wet was a bit disconcerting!