Alignment issue

[dave1701]

When I got my go kart I had a heck of a time getting the wheels to stay parallel at all directions. Now, I think its just not possible. All I did was toe the wheels put so that they are not fighting as much when I turn. They still do though if I turn sharp. I think this might be inevitable with my type of steering system, but any help would be appreciated. I really don't like have them toed out but that might be what I have to do


My steering system resembles this :

 

[robbie]

In a turn, you want your inner wheel to turn sharper than the outer one.

 

[dave1701]

Are they allways going to be fighting though?

 

[The_Machine]

explain "fighting". are they fighting each other and tearing up the rubber or are they fighting the wheel out of your hand? Without kingpin inclination and good caster this will happen, and is a result of the builder not knowing what the hell they were doing. perhaps in a time where information wasn't so readily available.

 

[The_Machine]

if you can, post a picture of your front end with the kingpin and steering arms visible

by the way, that is called a bellcrank. - the picture

 

[dave1701]

Sorry cant post a picture right now, I left my go kart up at the cottage and wont be able to get to it till 2 weeks.

When I say fighting I mean it gets really hard to push because the 2 wheels are "fighting" eachother because 1 is turning more than the other. It's not keeping me from driving it, but when I turn sharp thats the only time it really becomes a problem.

 

[The_Machine]

does it have ackermann steering? are the steering arms pointed towards the rear of the kart and not at a right angle to the spindle?

 

[dave1701]

Huh?

 

[devino246]

Ackerman steering causes the inner wheel to turn more than the outer wheel.

Look here, about 1/2 way down the page
http://www.bcot1.com/karting/

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Huh?

I think what your seeing is just ackerman, its a good thing.

 

[dave1701]

yea, they turn at different rates. Thats a good thing? Why would I want them turning at different rates?

 

[fowler]

the inner wheel must turn more than the outer because the inner wheel is turning a sharper corner
imagime the kart doing a circle the radius of the inner wheel track is smaller than the outer
if u get that

 

[dave1701]

Ok. So is it normal for them to be "fighting" when I turn sharp?

 

[devino246]

How sharp are you turning?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Just make sure the inside wheel is turning more than the outside. Otherwise, you're in for pure he//.

 

[anderkart]

Ok. So is it normal for them to be "fighting" when I turn sharp?

No, on a kart that's well designed and properly adjusted, the inside wheel turning sharper (Ackerman-effect) helps the front tires to not be fighting each other because it compensates for the inside tires need to turn a tighter radius.

On many karts the Ackerman effect also increases Caster and the unloading of weight from the inside rear tire helping the kart turn better.

It might help us help you if you further explained what you mean by your front tires fighting each other.

 

[fowler]

if u are turning very sharp like wheels 80* to centre line of cart then they may fight but that sharp steering will not be used much so it may not be worth the time money or effot (DEPENDS WHERE U RIDE)