240 wheel track?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Clive - 17 Jun 2004 23:02 GMT

Chatting with someone who "knows" about Volvos the other day, and he said
that one of the reasons for the poor handling of the 200 series was because
the rear track is narrower than the front. The implication being that one
way to improve the handling is to fit wheel spacers at the rear.

Now over the last couple of months I've done a LOT of web research into
improving the handling of my 240, in fact I'm typing this with dirty fingers
from being half way through the twin anti roll bar mod. But no where in what
I've seen did anybody mention increasing the rear track.

So, is this something everybody else has missed, or is it too difficult, or
is it just not true?!!?

Reply to this Message

mikef2316() - 18 Jun 2004 00:20 GMT

> Chatting with someone who "knows" about Volvos the other day, and he said
> that one of the reasons for the poor handling of the 200 series was because
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> So, is this something everybody else has missed, or is it too difficult, or
> is it just not true?!!?

Volvo even had a kit to do this, but it was not available in North
America. Basically if the car oversteers, (rear end loses grip first)
increasing the rear track will help. If it understeers (as 240s do),
then this mod will not help. Incresing the track definately helps the
look of the rear of the car though. If you're doing a bunch of
suspension mods, then this may be a necessary step in the process.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

Reply to this Message

James Sweet - 18 Jun 2004 03:14 GMT

> > Chatting with someone who "knows" about Volvos the other day, and he said
> > that one of the reasons for the poor handling of the 200 series was because
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> look of the rear of the car though. If you're doing a bunch of
> suspension mods, then this may be a necessary step in the process.

How much is the difference in track and why did they do this? A lot can be
done to improve the understeer with good swaybars.

Reply to this Message

Martijn - 19 Jun 2004 10:14 GMT

> > > Chatting with someone who "knows" about Volvos the other day, and he
> said
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> How much is the difference in track and why did they do this? A lot can be
> done to improve the understeer with good swaybars.

Some mount an (extra) 740 stabalizer on the 240's rear axle. Install new
shockbreakers (front+rear) really worked for my 1981 240GL.

Reply to this Message

Mike F - 21 Jun 2004 13:35 GMT

> How much is the difference in track and why did they do this? A lot can be
> done to improve the understeer with good swaybars.

The spacers were 1" thick, so 2" was added to the rear track. This kit
included spacers that centered themselves on the hub like a wheel and
also had a "hub" that center the wheel on it, with longer wheel studs.
I think the main reason was visual, 240s look a little better with the
rear wheels pushed out a bit. If you've ever followed a 240 on the
road, you can see the difference in track front to rear. Also, since
you're normally off to one side when you're behind it appears the 240
isn't tracking straight.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

NOTE: new address!!
Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

Reply to this Message

mike - 27 Jun 2004 14:02 GMT

>>How much is the difference in track and why did they do this? A lot can be
>>done to improve the understeer with good swaybars.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> you're normally off to one side when you're behind it appears the 240
> isn't tracking straight.

http://www.gilracing.com/VolvoSpacers/index.html

I have these on my car.

http://glassaver.com/db2/00141/glassaver.com/_uimages/signature.JPG

Reply to this Message