Front wheel spacer question

[Cincy123]

I know asymmetry of the hood on the coupe has been a topic of discussion in the past. After getting the body spot on and the hood centered side to side we noticed there is a difference in the offset of the right wheel versus the left front wheel. We ended up measuring from the center of the parting line to the edge of the fender flair on each side and the right side of the hood is about .5 inch wider than the left. If we were to to put a .5 inch spacer on the right wheel it would make this offset difference much less noticeable. My question is whether that would affect the steering and handling of the car. This car is not going to be used on a track. Thanks

[edwardb]

Mine has the exact asymmetry and I've talked to others with the same. If you get out the tape measure you can find it. But it's not obvious because you can't see both sides at the same time. In actual use -- now in its fourth driving season, multiple shows, two Autorama first place trophies -- not a single person has ever said anything. And I suspect haven't seen it. Yea, I know it's there (and I don't care for it) but in the end I've decided it isn't important and don't let it take away from the enjoyment I have with the car. I can't comment about what effect it would have on the suspension, driving, etc. even for street use. But IMO and experience, I'd leave it alone.

[RoadRacer]

You certainly should not space one wheel out further than the other! That would cause all sorts of problems while street driving.

[J R Jones]

Scrub radius is the centerline of the tire tread (on the pavement) VS the steering pivot centerline defined by the upper and lower ball joints, projected to the pavement.
As an aside, with the tread centerline outside the steering pivot centerline, pavement impacts cause the tire to "steer" to the rear. Kind-of a bump steer. That is not desirable, but acceptable with limited magnitude.
Your spacer would make the bump reaction L to R different.
I had similar but greater asymmetry on a different body and corrected it, but it is not easy. Imagine cutting the lip from the body, then pie cut the fender into fingers, shorten the fingers, fixture the fender to jack it in, then bond it all together.
jim

182515

182516

[GT_Rich]

I also have the exact same assymetry, and if you look at the straight on front view of the Logano car in the gallery on the FFR website, it does, too. The lower canard shapes are clearly different on the aero package.

Anyways, I noticed it when I'm standing in my trailer looking at the front of the car before it's loaded. It's very obvious if you get your line of sight higher. Nothing easy you can do about it though.

[michael everson]

I have added a spacer on the passenger side after alignment and felt no adverse affects on a street driven car. Mine required a 1 inch spacer.
Mike

[Jeff Kleiner]

Ask Colin Chapman

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=182529&d=1680646717

It must be noted though…this car only had to turn left :p

Jeff

[Cincy123]

Thanks everyone for their input. Lots to consider here

[Skuzzy]

Adding a spacer to one side will change the scrub radius, but may not seem to alter steering characteristics. As long as the change keeps the scrub radius matching the driver side as it pertains to positive or negative scrub radius, then the impact should be minimal. That said, if the change causes a transition from postitive to negative or vice-versa, then the impact could be quite noticeable, making the car difficult to control in a high-g turn.

I would not do it. I'll take the hit on aesthetics. That hit will not kill me.

[LateApex]

+1 on the asymmetry. It caused me to knit my brow a bit.

There is asymmetry in engine / tranny mounts as well. Then the seating position and steering shaft is skewed. I write this off as attempting to seek neutral weight / bias with only a driver. But then, I know nothing about prepping this car for the track. Although I was standing on those 31-degree banked turns at Daytona this time last month :-)