limits found

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

In a message dated 09/29/2002 5:37:35 PM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:


> Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 17:24:37 -0500
> From: "brad" <bmuise@domain.elided>
> Subject: limits found
> 
> Hello alfistis:
> 
> First-time alfa owner here (86' spider veloce). Thanks to charley for
> getting me into the digest. Just recently found the limits of my spider
> today after fish-tailing into a turn at 40mph on dry asphalt...scared the
> s**t out of me. Fortunately no one was in the immediate vicinity and I was
> able to steer into the direction of the 20 degree spin - the vehicle
> recovered quickly. I'm not proud of this event and now understand the
> turning limits. (the car has been teasing me to turn harder into turns the
> last two months I've owned it). Is this part of the learning curve? Can
> others relate to this experience?
> 
> Nervous newbie
> Brad
> 

     I am not clear if you were power oversteering or if the rear end came 
out in braking.  The Alfa spider will do both.
     If you were in second or third gear and under power at the time, then 
power oversteer is fairly normal.  And you corrected in the proper manner.
     If you were if fourth or fifth gear and under power, then I would 
suspect your suspension may need some attention.  You may have experienced 
the effect of a loose ball joint, tie rod end or a rear suspension bushing.
     If you were braking, then a rear tire might have locked up.  Again, it 
seems the rears will lock up slightly before the fronts, so that is fairly 
normal.  But you may want to look at your brake pads and rotors.
     Or you could have hit some oil or dirt on the road.  I have had the tail 
come out under those conditions also.  I have backed off the race track very 
rapidly after hitting oil.

     What are your tire pressures?  They should be 32 to 35.  I prefer a 
couple pounds more in the front.
    Are your tires the same size, brand and model on all four corners?  Mis 
matched tires can cause handling problems.
     So you may have just experienced one of the joys of owing an Alfa with 
the power driving the correct wheels.  Or you may have some mechanical 
problems.
     I would suggest you enter a local autocross event.  You will then be 
able to experience all the advantages and problems of Alfa ownership to its 
fullest.  I have always maintained that Autocross experience is great for 
learning to dodge dogs and small children on the street.
      Now, get out there in a nice safe location and spin the Alfa all the 
way.  You will not know the limits until you exceed them.  An autocross would 
be a much better place for that than the street would be.  Be careful out 
there!

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City
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