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Thread: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

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    MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Hi Folks
    Needing a bit of help with my Mk2
    Fantastic in the corners in the dry but with wet or damp roads its pretty tricky. Back end steps out what seems to be far too easily.
    its got 2 ltr Zetec, Cosworth 5 speed box, Atlas axle. 205 60 x 13 Kumho power max tyres. Front end is no problem which makes me think its not a tyre issue.
    I wondered if there was a problem with the diff. We jacked up a wheel and tried to measure what it took to move with a torque wrench. Basically it took nothing. Jacked up both wheels and one could be held and the other turned with relative ease. when one is turned the other turns in the same direction.
    Im changing the diff anyway as gearing isn't quite right.
    Any thoughts

    Al.

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    Racer Decade Plus User rallyrob's Avatar

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Ally Mac View Post
    Jacked up both wheels and one could be held and the other turned with relative ease. when one is turned the other turns in the same direction.Al.
    It's got an Lsd in it then hasn't it..
    Last edited by rallyrob; 18-08-2019 at 21:26.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Ooops... I've only just re-read the title.. Didn't realise it actually says it's got an lsd in it anyway..
    Last edited by rallyrob; 18-08-2019 at 21:44. Reason: Misread title

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    it might just be you have an escort with a decent amount of grunt! particularly if the rear end is fairly firm in the spring and damper departments!

    from what you say its probably got an LSD with very little preload, a lot of preload will make it even more back-endy, preload in lsds is over rated, you need a bit to make it work, but lots just makes the diff really snatchy and wears the plates even faster

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    There's no mention of what your rear suspension set up is and spring rating?.

    The diff you have is probably a std Capri Injection Special which should be ideal for the job and I can't see aproblem with that unless it's totally locking up or something silly.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Forest_rallying View Post
    The diff you have is probably a std Capri Injection Special which should be ideal for the job and I can't see aproblem with that unless it's totally locking up or something silly.
    It could have some extra plates added to it. That's what I did with my Injection special lsd, it makes big difference.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Not long got the car.
    Turreted. Bilsteins front and rear.
    Rear has 2" lowering blocks
    Unfortunately I don't know the spring ratings, certainly pretty stiff.
    It's for road use, possibly the odd track day but I would prefer it set up for the road.
    I've never had a car with an lsd before so it's a bit of a learning process.
    I don't want to rush into changing it till I've got my head around all the pros and cons, as I said I could do with changing it to fix the gearing.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Before you go spending money on a car that seems to have been fairly well modified already, have you had a Mk1 or 2 Escort before that you've driven harder than just back and forth to work ?
    One of the attractions is they go around corners sideways really well. If you've not experienced that before is could be a bit off putting. As Graham says, if the car has some "grunt" and is a bit firm it's more than likely to be a bit exciting especially in the wet as you've explained. Try reducing the shock firmness to start with as that's easy and costs nothing (assuming it's got adjustable shocks, most of them are)
    If you're not experienced with escorts, it might pay you to go and get a day or weekend driving course at a rally school that has an escort available or take it to some track days (learning of public roads isn't the safest way). With understanding and experience they are very controllable and fairly predictable.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Zakspak View Post
    Before you go spending money on a car that seems to have been fairly well modified already, have you had a Mk1 or 2 Escort before that you've driven harder than just back and forth to work ?
    One of the attractions is they go around corners sideways really well. If you've not experienced that before is could be a bit off putting. As Graham says, if the car has some "grunt" and is a bit firm it's more than likely to be a bit exciting especially in the wet as you've explained. Try reducing the shock firmness to start with as that's easy and costs nothing (assuming it's got adjustable shocks, most of them are)
    If you're not experienced with escorts, it might pay you to go and get a day or weekend driving course at a rally school that has an escort available or take it to some track days (learning of public roads isn't the safest way). With understanding and experience they are very controllable and fairly predictable.
    Had a mk2 30 odd years ago, best fun I ever had in a car, always dreamt of another and then this came along at the right time, couldn't help myself
    Planning a day at Knockhill with racing instructor, the wife got me a voucher for my birthday for the driving experience so figured it would be put to better use this way.
    It does have a fair bit of go, twin 45s, lightened fly wheel, I don't know anything about the head and cams though.
    It was built with a 340 odd horse power Cosworth engine but that was taken out when the car was sold.
    Pretty much decided to leave as is for the moment as you say but will look into the rear suspension.

    Thanks for the feed back chaps, much appreciated.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Click image for larger version Name:	mk2 4.jpg Views:	138 Size:	102.0 KB ID:	84331

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Nice car. That will do the job of putting a grin on your face !!
    Your track day will definitely be time well spent, your Mrs is a keeper coming up with gifts like that !
    Even though I did a course and raced mine back in the day 26 odd years is a long time so I’m planning to do a refresher course when my car is done.
    Have fun

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    It there's nothing visibly wrong with your rear suspension then I would try a different set of rear tyres. I have a Ford Ranger Wildtrak and that was arse end happy especially in the wet, a new set of tyres cured all my problems.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Zakspak View Post
    Nice car. That will do the job of putting a grin on your face !!
    Your track day will definitely be time well spent, your Mrs is a keeper coming up with gifts like that !
    Even though I did a course and raced mine back in the day 26 odd years is a long time so I’m planning to do a refresher course when my car is done.
    Have fun
    Definitely puts a smile on my face, what I never considered was the smiles it puts on others faces. Driving through town and getting the thumbs up etc

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Forest_rallying View Post
    It there's nothing visibly wrong with your rear suspension then I would try a different set of rear tyres. I have a Ford Ranger Wildtrak and that was arse end happy especially in the wet, a new set of tyres cured all my problems.
    Trying to see what I can find out about the springs and dampers ratings. Front end is fine which made me think tyres are OK.
    It's on single leafs with bilsteins. Turreted.

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    MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Normal behaviour for a Escort with a plated diff fairly aggressive and for the forest took mine back from classic Ford in very wet conditions this year I try not to drive it in the wet but it was a proper handful and it only had a crossflow with 120 hp but frightened me a few times.

    Sent from my COR-L29 using Tapatalk

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Ally Mac View Post
    Trying to see what I can find out about the springs and dampers ratings. Front end is fine which made me think tyres are OK.
    It's on single leafs with bilsteins. Turreted.
    You have the weight of the engine and gearbox on the front end to help the tyres to grip, on the rear there's a lot less weight, that's why the front will grip better. Uniroyal are a good road tyre for the wet.

    As a matter of interest is you rear suspension 4 link or tramp bars?

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Forest_rallying View Post
    You have the weight of the engine and gearbox on the front end to help the tyres to grip, on the rear there's a lot less weight, that's why the front will grip better. Uniroyal are a good road tyre for the wet.

    As a matter of interest is you rear suspension 4 link or tramp bars?
    Aye that makes sense, haven't seen the Uniroyal tryes, not a huge number of option with the 13" wheels.
    Single leaf with tramp bars and panhard rod

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Back again lads. Diff is sorted out. A gripper soft road diff set up by motorsport transmissions in Brampton. He did a great job, its pretty much silent. Back end is still a bit lively. I spun the back wheels over taking a lorry in third gear doing sixty odd, roads were damp, which gave me another wee start as I fish tailed past him. I think there was a wee bump on the road and this brings me back to the rear suspension and possibly the shocks? It's turreted and has bilsteins. As I said the front has never been an issue so I have reasonable confidence in the tyres. Would slightly softer shocks possibly help, adjustable,?

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    try some other rubber, it will make huge difference in the wet.
    I tried some in 185/60 but for other dimension that's difficult in 13"
    I currently use VITOUR Formula 195/55R13 80H for rally (demo mode), which are good for wet roads

    For front I use Yokohama A 539, tried on rear, there're good
    Last edited by Mkdu; 03-12-2019 at 18:49.

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    Quote Originally Posted by Mkdu View Post
    try some other rubber, it will make huge difference in the wet.
    I tried some in 185/60 but for other dimension that's difficult in 13"
    I currently use VITOUR Formula 195/55R13 80H for rally (demo mode), which are good for wet roads

    For front I use Yokohama A 539, tried on rear, there're good
    I've looked at tyres and very little choice with 205 60 13s, and as I said front ends been no problem?

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    vitour has also 215/50, close to yours.
    Agreed with you, that become difficult to find something correct in 13"

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    Re: MK2 escort skittish back end and LSD info

    I had a look at a pals mk2 rally car today. His back end seems far softer than mine. His is five linked right enough but is definitely softer. Tarmac rallies.

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