Your thoughts on roll oversteer please

[Malcolm Parker]

I would suggest that you get hold of a copy of 'Austin Seven Specials' by L M (Bill) Williams as a start.  Good, sound advice.   I think it is easy to get carried away with how the Austin 7 suspension and handling could be improved.  Some people use different tubular front axles, fancy radius arms, Panhard rods, etc.  Look good but add extra weight.  Many very good competition Austin 7's run on very standard suspension.  Flattened springs and better shock absorbers (double front S/A's are readily available from the specialist suppliers) work wonders.  If using a flat or negative camber front spring, the radius arm mounts on the end of the axle will need to be lowered so the arms have clearance under the chassis rails.  The factory used special front forgings on the sports models.  Alternatively a set of drop links can be used, all described in the Bill Williams book.
For a road going special, rear springs that are almost flat under load and a slightly cambered front spring, with double S/A, should give you reasonable handling.   A lot depends on what you are going to use the car for.  I live in rural North Yorkshire and find that slightly cambered springs are better on the country roads than flat ones.   I think the relationship between front and rear is important.  My thoughts are that the rear end needs to be a bit lower than the front with the car unladen.  Something to do with roll centres but there are people on the Forum far better qualified to comment than me!
Saloon Austin 7's are more prone to roll oversteer!