Technical JTD Tyre Wear - Pointless Wailing

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Technical JTD Tyre Wear - Pointless Wailing

Lets say you drive pretty fast (not important) doing a left curve. A large hole in the road appears, and you have no time or place to avoid it. Left wheel drops into the hole and the suspension does its job - propably. Most of the forces are on the right front wheel, but the anti roll bar will force the left front wheel down to keep traction. Wheen the suspension drops it might loosen the 5 mm play (it has about 5 mm clearance, try opening the bonnet when the car is parked) and twist some degrees before it settles again when it hits the asphalt. So when you are back on track on the straight road, the "camber" adjustment of the top mount has moved. And it might do it again over and over again. This is just a theory... Feedback anyone?
Morten, that's an interesting idea but don't forget it's toe that would need to be out as that's the only way to generate severe tyre wear (by just looking at worn Stilo tyres it's clear they've been dragged sideways along the road surface and is not the general wear you'd get from excessive camber).

My own view is that tracking dynamically changes as the Stilo enters a curve with a similar effect on the rear (especially if under power). Measuring such a change is a hopeless task and would be pointless anyway since cars generally drive straight most of the time. This really brings us back to the discussion of - "is this a technical design feature or is it a defect?"

There's little doubt in my mind that Stilos do generate tenacious grip on fast curves but I suspect this makes the initial (straight line) tracking all the more critical :chin:
 
Argonought said:
Morten, that's an interesting idea but don't forget it's toe that would need to be out as that's the only way to generate severe tyre wear (by just looking at worn Stilo tyres it's clear they've been dragged sideways along the road surface and is not the general wear you'd get from excessive camber).

You are right. I'm just concerned that the floating camber might have something to do with it. But it's impossible to prove as a fact besides theory.

Argonought said:
My own view is that tracking dynamically changes as the Stilo enters a curve with a similar effect on the rear (especially if under power). Measuring such a change is a hopeless task and would be pointless anyway since cars generally drive straight most of the time. This really brings us back to the discussion of - "is this a technical design feature or is it a defect?"

I guess that's why the rear tyres wear on the outside. When cornering under power / high speed the hydraulic bushes helps the car oversteer a bit with twisting the rear axle.

I think both front and rear suspension set-up is very delicate and a bit before its time. Not that the MacPherson setup is unique though, but also based on ideas from FIAT... I also think this is typical for Italian cars, as they have the guts to test new ideas, but not had enough time (or money?) to test it and get it done properly. But someone has to start. So other companies, like VAG might inherit / copy the idea and make it better on their model range. Just thinking here...

Argonought said:
There's little doubt in my mind that Stilos do generate tenacious grip on fast curves but I suspect this makes the initial (straight line) tracking all the more critical :chin:

Yes, and extremly sensitive to minor adjustments.

Morten.
 
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