I set up my four wheel align ment for next week. I had a quea

[scottj]

"Technical article on the Hot Rodding sites" That's where you would look for tech advise?

If you're changing ride heights when adjusting corner weights then you're doing it wrong. Ride height is set 1st, then alignment, then scaling. Ride height is maintained through out and doesn't change when scaling.

I would suggest Longacre or Intercomp for tech advise on the correct procedure.

Here: Under "Tech Articles" from Longacre's site- Scaling made simple
http://www.longacreracing.com/articles/art.asp?ARTID=1

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by scottj

"Technical article on the Hot Rodding sites" That's where you would look for tech advise?

I'm thinking something more like Circle Track magazine or the like. I read your link though, but it didn't address which to do first. I did find a few threads where "non-authoritative" posts supported the corner-weight first procedure, but maybe they (and I) are wrong. Think you can find something out there that says you should do the alignment first and that was actually written by somebody that should know what they're saying?

[scottj]

Yes, paragraph two from the link I posted:

"Before you begin the scaling process you should make sure that the car is race ready. Fluid levels need to be topped off, stagger & tire pressure set, ride heights adjusted, Caster adjusted, Camber set, rear end square and the toe checked. You will also need to take advantage of the maximum left side weight and check to see if your total weight is within the rules and the front to rear balance is where you and your chassis builder want it. Emphasis should be placed on being race ready before you begin the final scaling procedure as all of these factors will have an effect on the end result."

Oh... by the way... I am an authority

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by scottj

Yes, paragraph two from the link I posted:

"Before you begin the scaling process you should make sure that the car is race ready. Fluid levels need to be topped off, stagger & tire pressure set, ride heights adjusted, Caster adjusted, Camber set, rear end square and the toe checked. You will also need to take advantage of the maximum left side weight and check to see if your total weight is within the rules and the front to rear balance is where you and your chassis builder want it. Emphasis should be placed on being race ready before you begin the final scaling procedure as all of these factors will have an effect on the end result."

Oh... by the way... I am an authority

Yeah I saw that, but I read it to mean that you still had to do your alignment after the corner weights. Now as an example of the opposite treatment, these guys do the corner weights first and then do the aligment. http://www.moose-motorsport.co.uk/su...on_tuning.html Now to be honest, I've found sports car threads for vettes, Lotus, and others where posts say exactly the opposite (going in both directions), so it would be nice to have something even more specific.

[scottj]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yeah I saw that, but I read it to mean that you still had to do your alignment after the corner weights. Now as an example of the opposite treatment, these guys do the corner weights first and then do the aligment. http://www.moose-motorsport.co.uk/su...on_tuning.html Now to be honest, I've found sports car threads for vettes, Lotus, and others where posts say exactly the opposite (going in both directions), so it would be nice to have something even more specific.

Sorry, that's about as much effort I'm going to put into researching a procedure I've done about 1000 times. The only real proof anyway would be to buy your own scales and alignment equipment and see it for yourself... like I've done.

[patrickt]

From Dr. John Krane -- "Suspension 401":

Here is the order of operations:

1.initial set up
2.set ride height
3.corner-weight balance
4.adjust caster
5.adjust camber
6.adjust toe
7.adjust bump-steer
8.recheck caster, camber, toe, and readjust if necessary

So I guess this guy is just completely, dead wrong? You might want to at least read his reasoning, his resume, etc. http://home.comcast.net/~jkrane/susp401.html

Look Scott, I'm not just trying to beat you in an argument. I'd like to find out the suspension engineer's answer, but it's got to be more than just yours.

[patrickt]

If you have corner scales, now would be the time to look at weight distribution and adjust the chassis as required, because changing it later would change the final camber settings.

That's a quote from this guy, who essentially says the same thing as Dr. Krane, and has written a very detailed PDF on the subject. http://www.scuderiatopolino.com/Susp...20Set%20Up.pdf

[scottj]

Patrick, I'd don't consider you to be aurguing with me. I posted a link to the Longacre tech article and the article can stand on its own... I wouldn't believe me either. That said, If your make changes to caster and camber you will affect corner weights. That is right out of the Longacre tech article. So yes, the Dr. is dead wrong in his order. But, If you make changes to corner weight while maintaining ride heights, like you are supposed to, alignment will be unaffected.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Look Scott, I'm not just trying to beat you in an argument. I'd like to find out the suspension engineer's answer, but it's got to be more than just yours.

Cripes!-Scott's a RACER...

You go to restaurants-does he really need to debate his suspension practices with you?

[scottj]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I'm thinking something more like Circle Track magazine

Here's the Circle Track article you requested.

http://www.circletrack.com/chassiste...ght/index.html