VX Coupe Suspension

[wellingtonvx]

Is it normal in a VX for bumps in the road, railway lines etc to unsettle the steering ?

Since this is my first Lancia (and car), I don't have any experience with how the car should react to bumps.

From reading various car reviews, it seems to me that the suspension should handle bumps without transferring the feeling to the steering. If I drive over railway lines, I really have to grip the steering wheel, otherwise it can get pulled by the front wheels.

The car has just passed it's warrant, so I assume the suspension is not failing. I have also had the steering rack reconditioned (was leaking), so I don't think the steering is to blame.

Thanks

Colin

[Fingers]

Mine's reasonably sensitive, I can feel all that's going on, I quite like it, can't remember if it took long to get used to, I've also lowered mine an inch and have put koni adjustables in the front. How about some details about your coupe, K's, condition, and what you paid? I'm curious thinking about selling mine but not sure what to ask, I'm in Christchurch.

[Hamish]

Colin,
The Beta suspension as a whole is pretty good, although they all 'tramline' badly - ie: they will follow ruts/bumps etc. :evil:
You may have already discovered the 'torque steer' that Betas are famous for under hard acceleration, in the VX that's made a wee bit worse as they've got so much grunt :wink:
I assume the 'warrant' is the equivilant of the MOT here in the UK, I don't know what standards they adhere to in NZ, but although it's passed there could be a problem with the struts/springs/bushes.
The struts (front) are a weak point on the Beta range and it could be worth changing them. Ideally, Koni would be desirable but these are getting scarce to find new. Standard replacements are acceptable, but I would recommend getting your hands on a set of early HPE or Coupe insert accepting struts. There's a wide selection of strut inserts (including Koni) available for the earlier type still available around the globe.
I assume you are running standard alloys with 185/65 HR14 tyres :?:
They are quite sensetive cars, with good steering feedback, but you know there's something wrong if it's bottoming out on the bumpstops continually - there's worn suspension somewhere.
Remember, these cars are nearly all getting on for 20 years old, so it's worth considering overhauling the suspension completely.
Sorry if this doesn't help :wink:
Hamish

[wellingtonvx]

Fingers and Hamish, thanks for the replies.

Hamish,

I think 'tramline' was term I was trying to describe, reminds me of the car I learnt to drive in with no power steering!

I also just read that most modern cars have more damping in the steering so don't react as badly (probably can't feel the road though).

I'm used to the torque steer now, since I experience it every time I drive :twisted:

The proper name for the warrant is the 'Warrant of Fitness' or WOF, it's a safety inspection (every 6 months for old cars) by the government, and my VX has failed both times I have taken it in, so have had to spend lots just to drive it.

I was thinking about improving the suspension some time, but I'm having to fix up the problems left to me by the last owner (he sold the car because he was unemployed) NZ $2000 spent on repairs in the last 8 months. Next is A piller rust by the windscreen and the rear suspension bars are rusting badly.

Is the best improvement gained from replacing the struts with Konis ? Where do I get them and how much? Is this cheaper/more expensive than the 'early HPE or Coupe insert accepting struts'?
(Seems like they should have fitted these to the VX).

What about rebuilding the struts ? (I just read the 'Rebuilding Koni struts' post in the 'Beta - Technical' forum)

It would be ideal to get the best improvement for the least cost.

Also, I'm not sure if I would have to get the car certified (costs up to NZ $800) for changing the suspension, I know it's required for performance increasing engine mods.

I'm running Dunlop Formula FM901 195/60 R14 86 H tyres on standard alloys. I love the grip from these, I keep them at 32 psi, otherwise the steering is less precise.

Colin

The following is interesting, although I'm not interested in lowering the ride height, it's low enough!
http://www28.brinkster.com/lanciabeta/mods/suspension.htm

[Hamish]

Colin,
Konis are always (in my experience) a better option over standard fitment kit. The trouble is finding them as complete units. Most but not all Konis are inserts, Koni bought complete insert type struts from Lancia and retro-fitted them with their own spec inserts. This is handy, all you've got to do then is get early type struts (doesn't matter if the inserts are knackered :wink: ) and fit Koni inserts or go for another make...
I'm inclined to agree that they shouldn't have got rid of the insert type struts, but I guess it was cost related.
Where to get the bits, OZ is probably your best bet although I think there's a couple of specialists in NZ (Thomsons?). Otherwise it's a case of shopping round the world - worth putting feelers out on this site - there's a lot of good stuff to be had in the USA and UK. Trouble with UK is it costs a fortune to send anything anywhere :evil:
You can only rebuild insert type struts - as far as I know - and it's often simpler to send them away (inserts) to the manufacturer or their local agent.

In principal, you wouldn't be changing the suspension (therefore no $800 fee) as (if you go the early strut route) it's a retro-fit of a standard fitment.

Tyres: I ran 185/65 and 195/60 on a variety of betas, I settled on 185/65 as the best all round compromise between comfort and 'grip'. I kept mine at 29 psi.

Have a look at the suspension bushes, if they're on their way out there's a group of fellow 'betanuts' here in the UK who've produced lots of nice poly-bushes for the beta range - go to
www.betaboyz.co.uk and have a look. It's also a useful exchange network for other folk inflicted with 'beta-itis' :P

[Hamish]

Forgot to say, and it's kind of important 8) , make sure you get coupe or spyder rear stuts or inserts as the HPE items are different. Fronts are the same though :twisted:

[Fingers]

Yeah Maurice Thompson in Te Awamutu is probably the best, seems to have everything and is cheaper than anyone else,

Maurice Thompson Motors Ltd
0800 FIAT ALFA
0800 3428 2535

Rickit Rd
PO Box 78
Te Awamutu

Ph/fax 07 871 7311
Mob 025 754 338

He advertises in the NZ Classic Car mag, so does Phil Ansell at Eurospares here in CHC (http://www.eurospare.co.nz/).