Fellow SOL,
My 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 understeers. It seems I have to turn the
steering wheel an inordinate amount in order to coax it into a turn,
and then I have to turn the wheel the other way when it finally
cooperates. I believe this is due primarily to the weight of the
engine, which is over 600 pounds and is probably close to a third of
the total weight of the car. The steering geometry may be a factor
as well.
I would like to know if I could offset the understeer tendency by
changing the air pressure in the front and/or rear tires. I am running
Bridgestone SF-375s (185 X 15) on 6 inch wide 72-spoke wires. I usually
fill all 4 to the manufacturer's recommended maximum of 35 lbs/in sq.
Would it help, for instance, to put 36 in the rear and 32 in the front?
That would give me a larger patch in front. Or should I fill the front
tires to a greater pressure, to offset the front/rear weight imbalance?
Any and all comments and suggestions appreciated, especially from you
racers.
Regards,
bs
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