[dave96dcm]

I finally got some, if you don't know what they are I'll copy a post from my friend Jared describing them.

Originally Posted by Jared

So I was asked by our good friend Dave (dave96dcm) to put a post up to gauge people's interest in having him purchase corner balance scales. The scales are pretty expensive and, as you know, making a purchase of that size requires some thoughtful advanced planning.

If you aren't familiar with the process of corner balancing a car, it is basically the act of adjusting ride heights (and sometimes sway bar geometry) so that equal weight is pressing down on all four wheels. While most of our cars boast a 50/50 (front-rear) weight distribution, the weight per corner can actually vary a great deal. Additionally, modifying suspension components can exacerbate the disparity in corner weights. Add a carbon fiber hood and trunk or maybe a lightweight battery or some aftermarket seats, and there's a very good chance that, while your car is lighter and faster in a straight line, it has become less "driveable".

Ultimately, the goal is to arrive at a point where the ratio of the Left Front over the Left Rear is equal to the ratio of the Right Front over the Right Rear. (LF/LR = RF/RR). With these equal or close, the car will behave the same in both left and right turns and that's what we want, right? EDIT: Treat the above equation as a percentage or use the sum of the diagonals LF + RR = RF + LR.

The benefits of corner balancing are intuitively obvious. By corner balancing a car, you increase the predictability of weight transfer front to rear and left to right. You also improve the way the car loads and unloads its weight as it shifts while you are in motion. I look it at it as putting some intelligence behind setting ride heights and not just the "that looks dope" comment you get when it's low enough for your tastes.

So, many people point out that corner balancing is not necessary for street driven cars. While I agree that you may not feel the full impact of a corner balanced car on the street, I do think it is something that should be done. If you've purchased your coilovers simply for looks and looks alone, then maybe this isn't for you. But if you've purchased your coilovers because they make your car look good AND perform better, why not take the logical next step in maximizing the performance you've already paid and signed up to get? For people who do track events, you'd be foolish to not corner balance your car, really. From personal experience, I can say that I ran one event with my TCKline-equipped 330Ci a year ago without it having been corner balanced and it was just alright. The moment I returned to the track after having it corner balanced the difference was noticeable. Everything simply feel right. The car rotated perfectly and you could feel the weight shifting more predictably.

Dave mentioned that he can corner balance cars not equipped with coilovers to an extent with shims.

So, post up if you'd be interested in being able to get your car corner balanced at Dave's!

[Arustik1]

Originally Posted by dave96dcm

I finally got some, if you don't know what they are I'll copy a post from my friend Jared describing them.

Can I do this with springs?

-D

[DJKhan85]

I will be all over this.....once I get my coils installed(pending they ever get here).

[cyphr]

awesome addition dave! pm me your number when you get a chance, I got some muffler work you might be interested in.

[dave96dcm]

Originally Posted by Arustik1

Can I do this with springs?

-D

Yes I'm making some shims so I can do cars that do not have coilovers, I will just shim the front struts to balance the car.

[dave96dcm]

Originally Posted by cyphr

awesome addition dave! pm me your number when you get a chance, I got some muffler work you might be interested in.

Sent

[TL]

Want to give a BIG to David. Just had my car corner balance done over at his place this past Saturday (Pizza and boardgames feb 6th meet). I'm so honored to be the first person on the scales.

When I showed up i was amazed at Dave's setup for the corner scales (thought it was just going to be 4 scales). Dave built this elaborate wood deck so that we can drive right up to it. It was insane and Adam (massbimmer) said, it looked better than his deck...






So then I drove up on the deck, onto the scales and found out my XI is a PIG...it weighed 3,738 (3,893 with me in it) and my cross was way off. Dave then did some calculations and made the necessary adjustments.











Can't wait for the spring/summer to track

[ibeclueless]

wow, nice setup

[MassBimmer]

It's seriously a sick set up...mad sensitive too, poor Tim couldn't even breathe without throwing off the numbers!

[cyphr]

Sick setup Dave! I'll def have to swing by when I'm back in the bean.

[jopa489]

That's a beautiful thing - sick setup!

[TL]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

It's seriously a sick set up...mad sensitive too, poor Tim couldn't even breathe without throwing off the numbers!