Don't want to be using the handbrake on my 2002 156 - it acts on the front
wheels!!


"Zathras" > wrote in message
news
> On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 15:54:27 +0100, Tom Boltwood >
> wrote:
>
> <Snip>
> >For me, the
> >understeer on the front with bad tyres makes driving more difficult and
> >dangerous.
>
> Understeer? What's that then? Bad tyres on an Alfa is a
> waste..surely?!
>
> > Also, if the front wheels are the only wheels you have control
> >over,
>
> Hmmm..bad tyres are bad no matter where you put them.
>
> I seem to be able to control quite a bit of my car via my rear tyres.
> There's always the handbrake (rarely used and unsubtle) or,
> particularly in cornering, you can use the accelerator and brakes to
> alter the balance of the car by 'moving the weight' on the back so
> discouraging or encouraging the rear to drift, or for that matter the
> front.
>
> > I'd rather the grip was on them.
>
> !
>
> >It seems to be something people are fairly divided on, although most
agree
> >with the 'correct' theory which is good tyres on the back. I, however,
> >disagree.
>
> I'm with the majority on this one. Of utmost importance when driving a
> road car on the road is safety and predictability. In a disaster, when
> you've (temporarily?) lost control, there can be nobody out there that
> seriously suggests that Joe Average has a car setup that oversteers
> rather than understeers! Most typical drivers cannot correct oversteer
> properly..most typical drivers are 'used' to understeer however. The
> link between over and under steer and tyres is well explained
> elsewhere.
>
> Car control experts may choose an alternate setup to the majority
> opinion but it is for the few not the many.
>
> YMMV
>
> --
> Z
> Scotland
> Alfa Romeo 156 2.4JTD Veloce Leather
> 'Oil' be seeing you..
> (Email without 'Alfa' in subject are auto-deleted..sorry!)