Lifting inside rear wheel in tight autocross turns

[AnkerB-S]

I did the prerequisite search and didn't find anything.

I am in the process of getting my Caterham ready for my first autocross season with it. The previous owner told me that it has a tendency to lift the inside rear wheel on sharp turns, and since it doesn't have a LSD, it prevents the car from putting the power down. He also told me that I should give the adjustable front coilovers 5 clicks clockwise when autocrossing.

I am pretty sure the cure for lifting a rear wheel is a softer rear anti roll bar. And I don't believe the adjustments to the rebound in front will have anything to do with it. I don't have the funds to install a LSD this year, will have to wait for Santa to drop onbe under the Christmas tree.

Am I correct, ir is there some other wisdom about this situation. I really would like to cure this.

Thanks/Anker

[Jonathan Kay]

Which rear axle? And what are the current springs and shock absorbers?

I am pretty sure the cure for lifting a rear wheel is a softer rear anti roll bar.

What have you got in there at the moment?

Jonathan

[TomB]

Assuming its a de dion, its straight forward to disconnect the rear ARB, tie it up with some cable ties and feel the effect.  Its a bit more involved, but not too difficult, to remove it completely should this be the answer.  

[AnkerB-S]

Thanks Tom and Jonathan,

It is a De Dion. On the spring and damper side it is a bit sketchy since I am the third owner. The first "for sale" listing said "Adjustable dampers with adjustable spring perches". I seem to remember that the previous owner said they were Billsteins, but I won't swear to it. It also says it has 1989 specification springs. The car is a 1987. It also states that it has a rear anti roll bar, but assume that was standard. I hope this leads to some clarification. 

[TomB]

If its an '87 DD, it will have the RARB fitted over the diff like my 1995 chassis.  In which case, undo one end of one of the drop link, cable tie it to the arm of the RARB and go for a drive.  I've heard that removal of the RARB is a fairly common thing to do for road use on standard dampers as it gives more pliancy on bumpy roads - but I don't know anything about the application for autosolo.  I've retained mine as I have non standard, fairly high spec dampers. I suggest you try and se how you get on.       

[Tom_Arundel]

Maybe you need more slideability at the rear i.e. less grippy tyres/ higher pressures

[Mark w]

Not helpful but this post reminded me of the handling characteristics of a Peugeot 205GTI i once owned .

My mate used to follow me and we used to see how high i could lift the rear wheel on one particular sharp corner locally .

I was always surprised how stable it felt on three wheels !