Tis the season for making resolutions (evidently). I’ve thought about them many a time and even employed them in the workplace (actively tidy the desk, clear out the ‘to do’ pile, challenge the boss to stop the endless power point presentation requests…..). But when you think about it, we all know what to do. Just get on with being the best you can be.
Measure twice, cut once. We’ve all heard it and some of us have ignored the message more than once or twice. As a resolution, it makes sense, applied both literally and figuratively. I usually try, but a few mishaps in 2025 make me go red when I think about them. Must try harder.
I’ve done some work on a few ‘drift’ cars this year. One required a geometry check and set, following a front camber update. No problem I thought, until I saw the car. As seems to be the current trend, the front camber was significantly negative, achieved by the use of longer lower arms. (It was an early BMW 3 series, with arms from a later model). A cost-effective update? Well yes, and no. The camber was indeed increased. However, the spacing of the front hubs was now greater, having been pivoted outboard around the top mounts. The track rods and track rod ends remained standard, so needed adjustment to get the correct wheel alignment. Unfortunately, the large amount of exposed thread on the track rods suggested that there wouldn’t be much engagement left.
Onto the geometry kit and yes, (far) too much toe-in on the front axle. Before going any further, shall we measure the thread engagement? Measure twice i.e. both sides. Oh dear. Too much toe-in and insufficient thread engagement to permit adjustment. Chat with the client. You really don’t want a track rod end to pull off the track rod mid-slide. Drifting can be fun, but only when the driver intends it to happen.
Reverting to the original lower arms allowed correct thread engagement and wheel alignment. Yes, camber was reduced, but the lowered ride height and ‘coil overs’ still provided a healthy tyre wearing potential….
Measure twice, cut once. Have an exciting 2026. But stay safe.