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Sportster steering self centring.

26 Jan 2022, 3:11pm
My Sportster failed it’s IVA this morning. One issue was steering self centring. I seem to remember threads on getting this right through tweaking wheel alignment.
Can any one share the process they went though to get it right, or even some figures for the alignment they ended up with.
If it makes any difference it is E39 based but has the front axles from an E36.
26 Jan 2022, 6:15pm
Plenty on youtube for setting up your caster angle. Not sure of your setup but you'll need some for and aft adjustment of your front wishbones to be able to adjust the caster to the correct angle.
27 Jan 2022, 11:59am
Thanks. The BMW based Sportster has spacers you move from one end to the other to change the castor. Looks like I need more positive caster but without making steering too heavy.
27 Jan 2022, 8:47pm
ChrisS wrote:
My Sportster failed it’s IVA this morning. One issue was steering self centring. I seem to remember threads on getting this right through tweaking wheel alignment.
Can any one share the process they went though to get it right, or even some figures for the alignment they ended up with.
If it makes any difference it is E39 based but has the front axles from an E36.

Hi Chris,

have a look at the thread below.... It's from the e30 build era but I suspect the same may work for you and the e36 uprights.
Ignore the first few posts but the last three should be useful to you.
The trick for the IVA is to set up a degree or so of toe-out and pump up the tyres to make the steering light.

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1671&highlight=toe-in

I think Patrick's good description of road testing to set up the right amount of toe-out will be useful.

Good luck with your re-test,

cheers,

Peter
27 Jan 2022, 10:18pm
Thanks, will definitely try that.