Increasing rear track

[twoqu]

Hi!

Theoretically speaking, what would the results be of increasing the rear track on a S2 Coupe. I'm not talking a mammoth amount, @ 5mm each side.
If Paul N's site is correct then the rear track on an S2coupe is narrower than the front. Whilst the Avant, seems to have a wider rear track.
Obviously I appreciate the two have different rear suspensions designs.
Thanks!

[Keeper of The Kitten]

Are you thinking about moving the suspension outboard of it's current location? I suspect the difficulty of doing that would yield precious little for the effort.

Easier, by far, space the wheels away 5mm or use 5mm less offset wheels - or if the clearance allows (it's tight!!!) fit wider wheels and tyres to put more rubber outboard of the existing position (that doesn't move the centreline of the wheel though).

The advantage (if you widened the whole unit) would theoretically be less roll, perhaps, for a given wheel rate - and increased stability when cornering. These are purely hypothetical of course, but if you took it to the illogical extreme and said the track was widened by half a metre per side, you'd get a feel for what the benefits are at the more realistic value of 5mm.

If you mean lengthening the lower wishbone, the most obvious result would be a hill of extra camber - but that has limited results particularly on wider tyres, as you end up using less of the contact patch if you go beyond a certain point.

For what it's worth, I think spacing the wheels is the best way to test this - and it would be the best way to run if the theory proved to be correct. I don't think you'd relish widening subframes (or extending wishbones), lengthening driveshafts and all the other stuff!

__MDC__

[twoqu]

Hi!
Thanks!
No nothing that drastic! In fact the proposed increase in track would in effect be an artefact of another modification. However in essence, it would be an increase in the distance of the hubs that determined the track increase, assuming same size wheels and tyres.
So basically no disadvantage.

[Keeper of The Kitten]

I can't think of any disadvantage providing there is no tyre clearance problem! Perhaps the only disadvantage to extending the hub outboard of it's standard location is a little extra load on the wheel bearing, which might shorten it's life ever-so-slightly, but it's not something to get too excited about.

__MDC__

[NoNonsense]

I would wholeheartedly consider using 5mm spacers before trying to space the hubs out further. When you do that, the rotors aren't in the position that the caliper is meant to hold them at. You will find it very difficult to even get the brake caliper over the rotor if the hubs aren't seated properly.

[twoqu]

I would wholeheartedly consider using 5mm spacers before trying to space the hubs out further. When you do that, the rotors aren't in the position that the caliper is meant to hold them at. You will find it very difficult to even get the brake caliper over the rotor if the hubs aren't seated properly.

Hi!
It's ok. Everthing else will be in the same position:mischeif:
I was trying to ascertain if there were any theoretical disadvantages!