noise from front wheels on turning

[bobbak]

I know I have asked a lot recently and you all have helped without question but I want to be sure this car is as good as it can be.

When I turn the car on a hard left or right lock at low speed ie less than 5 mph i hear a clunking noise from the front wheels coupled with a rough feel through the steering wheel I have checked the front bearings and they are fine I have spoken to the technical peeps at lotus and they say that this is normal for this car due to the tyre size but I cant buy that reason as I cant believe that they would design a car and market it with a problem like this.

so anyone else have the same thing with thier car if so did you find what was causing it.

regards robert

[lrg_machine]

I know I have asked a lot recently and you all have helped without question but I want to be sure this car is as good as it can be.

When I turn the car on a hard left or right lock at low speed ie less than 5 mph i hear a clunking noise from the front wheels coupled with a rough feel through the steering wheel I have checked the front bearings and they are fine I have spoken to the technical peeps at lotus and they say that this is normal for this car due to the tyre size but I cant buy that reason as I cant believe that they would design a car and market it with a problem like this.

so anyone else have the same thing with thier car if so did you find what was causing it.

Edited November 19, 2005 by lrg_machine

[neal]

I agree, they all do that (well mine does :-)

The V8 does have a surprising tight turning circle, for a supercar at least. That combined with the fat tyres, and 'unforgiving' suspension setup for such a maneuver, means it's no ballerina!

[lotusracing]

Greetings,

This is normal due to the anti-ackerman inthe steering.

TO put it simple the tire rubs the inside of the wheelwell.

It can be adjusted somewhat but you loose some of the performance.

Its only on full lock to lock that it occurs...

Of course make sure this is the problem and nothing else is going on.

You should see a slight rub patch on the inside wheelwell were the tire rubs some.

-Larry

[Guest Chelsea Martyn]

Yeah.. don't worry, It's totally normal.

Even worse when you hard turn in reverse!!

I too thought anything from worn bushes to tracking,

but it simply is due to the tight turn circle the Esprit has, the either left or right tyre (depending on direction and what way you are turning) simply scrapes accross the road!

[bramble111s]

Mine does this too, glad to hear thats ok!

[snuffy]

Mine does that, and my GT3 before that as well. It sounds and feels like the tyres are scrapping/skiding. Passengers have commented as well.

It's a case of TADTS !

[scoule]

Mine does that, and my GT3 before that as well.  It sounds and feels like the tyres are scrapping/skiding.  Passengers have commented as well. 

It's a case of TADTS !

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My Excel is far worse than my Esprit ... it sounds like tyres skip an inch at a time! It still did this after I changed all bushes & ball joints on the front suspension so there was nothing worn out that would cause it.

I did notice that switching tyre brands changed the severity of the symptoms, Pirelli p7000's being less prominant and Bridgestone SO-1's being the most prominant.

[snuffy]

... it sounds like tyres skip an inch at a time!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a very good description indeed.

[scoule]

That's a very good description indeed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My hunch is that the Excel is worse than the Esprit because it doesn't locate the lower suspension arm as well as the Esprit, so tends to "wind itself up more before skipping!

[WayneB]

Greetings,

This is normal due to the anti-ackerman in the steering.

-Larry

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Larry is dead right ,it is due to the Esprits steering geometry(anti-ackerman), which is common on rear engined single seater racing cars.

Colin Chapman was the first to realise this principle and exploit it in the 1960s.

This website explains what it does (better than I can!) Racetech

One of its undesirable(to some) side effects is low speed tyre squeel (as on our cars)

[bobbak]

Hi all i have checked all the front suspension and associated steering componants and nothing is faulty checked bearings there all ok so after your explanations I am content to live with it as is for the time being although if tyre choice can reduce the effecs of this what tyre choice would be best currently running p zero good for a good few miles yet but when change is due recomendations would be good please.

regards robert

[scoule]

Hi all i have checked all the front suspension and associated steering componants and nothing is faulty checked bearings there all ok so after your explanations I am content to live with it as is for the time being although if tyre choice can reduce the effecs of this what tyre choice would be best currently running p zero  good for a good few miles yet but when change is due recomendations would be good please.

regards robert

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can't comment on tyre choice for the Esprit - mine has always had P-Zeros on it. On my Excel, the tyres with the softer sidewall seem to skip the least (p7000's).

[russyb]

I can't comment on tyre choice for the Esprit - mine has always had P-Zeros on it. On my Excel, the tyres with the softer sidewall seem to skip the least (p7000's).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mine does that as well and its running on Michelin's.

[bac1023]

I get the same noise with my V8.

[Toua]

When I turn at it starts the clicking noise, it was due to the axle? dont know about Esprits but Hondas for sure

[Paula&Marcus]

I know I have asked a lot recently and you all have helped without question but I want to be sure this car is as good as it can be.

When I turn the car on a hard left or right lock at low speed ie less than 5 mph i hear a clunking noise from the front wheels coupled with a rough feel through the steering wheel I have checked the front bearings and they are fine I have spoken to the technical peeps at lotus and they say that this is normal for this car due to the tyre size but I cant buy that reason as I cant believe that they would design a car and market it with a problem like this.

so anyone else have the same thing with thier car if so did you find what was causing it. 

regards robert

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi All,

This clunky noise is quite normal, it appears also when you go backwards in reverse while steering hard.

Has to do with the front wheels geometry ... "anti Ackerman" ... browse the web for this if you like ;o)

Marcus

[Paula&Marcus]

When I turn at it starts the clicking noise, it was due to the axle?

Edited December 3, 2005 by Paula&Marcus