MadaboutKitcars

A look at rear wheel drive and the pros and cons

Advantages and Disadvantages of Rear Wheel Drive

A look at the constant velocity (CV) joint

A description of the CV Joint and how it works

A look at the effects of Oversteer

A explanation of oversteer

A look at the term Unsprung Weight

A description of unsprung weight in relation to a vehicle

Ackermann steering geometry

Solution to an early problem

Anti-lock braking system

Now being used on many kit cars

Ball bearings and their uses

Our kit cars have many bearings, balls being one of them!

Brake lining construction

Brake lining material and structure

Cadence braking technique explained

Useful to know but replaced pretty much by ABS

Camber angle

Camber explained

Car Handling explained

A detailed account of car handling dynamics

Caster angle explained

An explanation of caster angle

Cornering force

Tyre Cornering force explained

Curb weight explained

Information on Curb (Kerb) weight

Differential explained

A look at how the differential provides power to the driven wheels

Disc brake component brake down

The history and components of a disc brake

DOT 3 Brake fluid

Description of DOT 3 Brake fluid

DOT 4 Brake fluid

Description of DOT 4 brake fluid

DOT 5 Silicone Brake Fluid

DOT 5 Silicone brake fluid overview

DOT 5.1 Brake fluid

Description of DOT 5.1 Brake fluid

Double wishbone suspension

Suspension set up

Driveshaft or Carden shaft principles for transferring power

The purpose of an automotive driveshaft

Drum brake history

Invented in 1902 the drum brake is still with us

Electric Power Steering

Electric Power steering explained

Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD)

Clever brake wizardry

Electronic Stability Control Function

In the name of safety ESC is becoming more common

Engine braking overview

Description of what engine braking is

Epicyclic gearing explained

Suns and planets are involved

Four wheel drive in automotive design

Design and history of the 4 wheel drive

Front Wheel Drive setup

Pros and Cons of Front wheel drive setups

Hand brake and the different types

Hand brake overview and types

How a De Dion tube works

A look at the De Dion rear axle set up

How a shock absorber does what it does

How it does it and why

Hydragas Suspension

An overview of Hydragas Suspension

Hydro pneumatic suspension system

A look at the hydro pneumatic suspension system and it's history

Hygroscopy and its application in cars

Liquid braking

Hypoid - helical spiral gear

Found in the final drive

Independant Suspension

The reasoning behind independant suspension

Kingpin as used in vehicle suspension

The job of the kingpin

Leaf spring or Cart spring

Used since medieval times (when most American cars were invented)

Leaf spring or Cart spring

Commonly used in conjunction with a live axle

Live axle or beam axle explained

Found on many kit cars using 70s and 80s donors

Mid engined Rear wheel drive benefits

The benefit of a mid engined layout

Multi link suspension

Ideal for good handling and ride quality

Multi link suspension overview

A look at how multi link suspension is put together

Overview of inboard brakes

Inboard brakes, common on Jaguar XJ donors

Plain bearing

A look at the function of a plain bearing

Pros and Cons of a Live Axle

A brief look at a live axle and it drawbacks

Rack and pinion steering

Rack and Pinion explained

Regenerative braking, a green topic

Being seen more and more in new cars

Retarder brake mechanism

Overview of Retarding brake mechanism

Rolling-element bearing

Roller bearing function and use

Servo mechanism

Electro and mechanical servos described

Slip angle explained

Slip angle in car handling

Suspension Tie Rod

Describing the usage of the tie rod

Swing axle explained

What the hecks a swing axle - your answers here

The benefits and history of front wheel drive

Front wheel drive history

The effect of brake fade

Heat and brake fade

The MacPherson Strut

Drawings and description of the MacPherson Strut

The role of the Panhard rod

Used to greatly improve the handling charateristics of Live axle cars

Toe in toe out

An explanation

Torque steer explained

The effects of torque steer

Torque tube automotive driveshaft

How it works

Traction control overview

If it's ok for F1 then it's ok for your and me

Trailing Arms in rear suspension

Used on some live axled vehicles such as the Ford Cortina

Transaxle Overview

Transaxle uses and installations

Types of Automotive Brake fluid

What is brake fluid

Types of LSD - Limited Slip Differential

Types and mechanics of a limited slip differential

Tyre Contact patch

Pretty crucial few square inches

Understeer effects and explanation

An explanation of Understeer

Universal joint (UJ) explained

The UJ or Universal Joint

Vehicle Wheelbase explained

Vehicle wheelbase

Watts linkage for rear suspension

Used to get the best out of live axle rear end setups

Weight transfer from centre of gravity

Described when accelerating and braking

Weissach axle for the Porsche 928

Weissach axle and what it overcomes

Wheel sizing explained

Get the correct size wheels for your kit car