1994 Esprit S4 Geometry

[ramjet]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone would have the details on what are the correct settings for my car? I am asking because even when I have had the car done and have driven it and things feel fine, I don't get the characteristic tyre skipping when reversing as is the habit of the anti-Ackerman setup.

This is leading me to suspect that the figures that the tyre place has may be incorrect or the machine is stuffed, which I can't imagine.

Something that does make me also wonder what is going on is that the front wheels always appear to be toe out. I have also asked other people to tell me what they think and they have agreed.

The car has new tyres on it now and the last thing I want is to chop out a tyre.

So if anyone can help, that would be great.

Michael.

[Chillidoggy]

All the information you need is in your Lotus Service Notes.

[ramjet]

No worries. I don't have all the service notes, but I will go through what I have.

Thanks for that.

[Barrykearley]

Take it to a competitive racing place. The service notes do indeed contain the information - but every chassis and car can be slightly different. The fundamentals will dictate the settings.

[CarBuff]

A GOOD alignment shop will apply outward pressure to the fronts of the tires (tyres) to simulate the normal bias of the tsuspension while driving. Can be done with a spring-loaded shower curtain rod, or similar.

 

That said, tire 'skipping' during parking maneuvers  is normal for anti-Ackerman.  Turn up the radio. 🤪

Traditional Ackerman geometry is what minimizes the skipping effect on more common cars.

[ramjet]

I know the skipping is normal. I am NOT getting it though.

@Barrykearley don't have a racing joint down here in Geelong. Best thing is the tyre place that I already use.

[drdoom]

Is there anti-Ackerman on Esprit? Haven't gathered that up to this point. Perhaps the attached screen grab will be useful.

Cheers

[Barrykearley]

3 hours ago, ramjet said:

@Barrykearley don't have a racing joint down here in Geelong. Best thing is the tyre place that I already use.

Is there no track racing folks about? You might have to dig about to find them as many don’t like to advertise what’s hiding behind closed doors. Join a local Facebook group and post a question. The chap I used is well known locally by those in the know - but has no social media or advertising presence whatsoever.

[Escape]

22 hours ago, ramjet said:

No worries. I don't have all the service notes, but I will go through what I have.

Thanks for that.

Here you go 😉

Edit: Steve beat me to it, but the full document might still come in handy.

Esprit S4-S4s-V8 Suspension.pdf

[AndyPG]

On 29/01/2022 at 09:06, ramjet said:

Something that does make me also wonder what is going on is that the front wheels always appear to be toe out.

Hi Michael,

A little toe in or toe out is not something you can discern with your eyes.

The only way to know, is to measure it.

There are a couple of DIY ways of checking it.

Andy.

 

[drdoom]

Still intrigued on the question of anti-Ackerman. Were Esprit built as such right the way through? Was this part of the Eagle chassis development? I believe the early, pre-Eagle chassis were anti-dive up front.