Suspension adjustments for a turn.

[Pete J.]

I am making a diorama using a Tamiya WRC Ford Focus and was disturbed by the number of dioramas I have seen with the car sitting perfectly flat in a hard turn. Now, race cars have very stiff suspensions but the body is still going to lean. I wanted to give my Focus a more realistic rolling attitude in a slow hairpin turn. The Tamiya suspention is much to complex to just cut off a mounting pin and relocate it so I decided to shorten the struts on one side and lengthen them on the other to get the caracteristic roll into the outside of the turn. I broke out the trusty Sherline and turned 4 replacement top halfs of the struts which are .10 inch longer or shorter than the original parts. I then cut off the plastic coils and took a pin vise and drilled out a locating hole in the top of the lower half of the strut and glued the new top half in place. In the photo you will see the original pieces and the modified one. After they are painted, I will wind a spring made from wire to repesent the coils.

[Alyn]

I am making a diorama using a Tamiya WRC Ford Focus and was disturbed by the number of dioramas I have seen with the car sitting perfectly flat in a hard turn. Now, race cars have very stiff suspensions but the body is still going to lean. I wanted to give my Focus a more realistic rolling attitude in a slow hairpin turn. The Tamiya suspention is much to complex to just cut off a mounting pin and relocate it so I decided to shorten the struts on one side and lengthen them on the other to get the caracteristic roll into the outside of the turn. I broke out the trusty Sherline and turned 4 replacement top halfs of the struts which are .10 inch longer or shorter than the original parts. I then cut off the plastic coils and took a pin vise and drilled out a locating hole in the top of the lower half of the strut and glued the new top half in place. In the photo you will see the original pieces and the modified one. After they are painted, I will wind a spring made from wire to repesent the coils.

Nice attention to detail, however...

There was a recent episode of Top Gear on TV that had a segment on Tanner Foust's Focus. They ran it through their timed course and comments were made about how surprisingly flat it cornered. Very flat attitude. Very fast. I think they posted the time up in the second slot on their board. Thought you'd want to know.

[Dr. Cranky]

Very interesting. We'll stay tuned in.

[Scale-Master]

Cool stuff there Pete. Can't wait to see more!

[Pete J.]

Nice attention to detail, however...

There was a recent episode of Top Gear on TV that had a segment on Tanner Foust's Focus. They ran it through their timed course and comments were made about how surprisingly flat it cornered. Very flat attitude. Very fast. I think they posted the time up in the second slot on their board. Thought you'd want to know.

I appreciate the comment and I did see that issue. I believe they tested it on a hard surface. This is really the look I am going for as it will be be an "in the dirt" race. As you can see the right suspension is at or near full extension and the left is near full comprssion. .10" is not a lot but enough to show the side to side transfer.

Edited October 19, 2011 by Pete J.

[LAone]

shoot, im looking forward to this.

[Casey]

I'm curious if you'll be modifying the tires at each corner to reflect the weight imbalance too?

[Pete J.]

I'm curious if you'll be modifying the tires at each corner to reflect the weight imbalance too?

That wasn't in the plan as I intend to have the tires pushing dirt on the out side. I suppose it wouldn't be all that difficult to heat the tires and squash them down a bit. By the same token, this is going to be showing a softer sandy/gravel type desert surface so I suppose the car would be pushing a lot of dirt on the outside and you wouldn't really see much deformation. Good thought though!

[Pete J.]

I appreciate the comment and I did see that issue. I believe they tested it on a hard surface. This is really the look I am going for as it will be be an "in the dirt" race. As you can see the right suspension is at or near full extension and the left is near full comprssion. .10" is not a lot but enough to show the side to side transfer.

Hmmmmm, was just looking at the photo I chose and something didn't look right! This is showing the body rolling to the inside of the turn. That is just weird. Car must have been tossed over the burm when this photo was shot. Well, it is still the look I want but compression to the outside of the turn in oversteer mode.

[Pete J.]

Here are the completed left and right rear suspension parts. I am working on the chassis and will post them once they are in place. This little car has a rather complex chassis bottom. I think you will find it intersting as I have an unmodified chassis completed to compare it to.

[Pete J.]

Here are the struts and brakes completed. You can see the differance between the hights and it isn't much but it will change the stance of the enough to make it look right. When I have the mounts done I will post pics. I have an unmodified one to compare it to.

[Dr. Cranky]

Looking great. I like the fact they already look rather worn and very realistic.

[Jon Cole]

I know just what you are referring to, Pete. Those modified chassis bits rock!

With all the thrashin' about and overcorrecting, the photo makes perfect sense.

[Pete J.]

Looking great. I like the fact they already look rather worn and very realistic.

Wait until you see the chassis. It is coming along nicely. Nothing like some of your rust, but I am really trying to get a "through the desert" look to it. Lots of dirt and oil streaks with a touch of worn metal in the right places. It is nice to be doing modeling for fun again!