Another live axle conversion

[chancer]

If you are going to use a rod for actuation of your brakes...you will need to reposition the band and rod for proper braking...
Ex.. Kartfab..

Thanks Mc. Now I know why I hate band brakes! I have been doing it wrong!

 

[SpiderSpartan]

If you are going to use a rod for actuation of your brakes...you will need to reposition the band and rod for proper braking...
Ex.. Kartfab..

Thanks. I was wondering why I couldn't get it as tight as it originally was. Unfortunately I don't think there's an easy way to lower the rod on my brake pedal. I think I'll try to flip the band and have it mount to a lower peg with the rod pulling above the drum. I'm open to any cheap and easy suggestions though. I don't want to sink too much into it since I'm the only driver right now and the plan it to switch to disc brakes when I have the funds.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

I was able to reverse the brake band today and it's a much better fit. Thanks again mckutzy.

Now, would getting front spindles closer to 90 degrees improve the steering? I know the live axle hurts steering, but I don't remember it being great with the dead axle.

 

[chancer]

That Pic^ is how both of my band brakes are set up. They both work fine.

 

[chancer]

Not 90° they should be set up like this.

You run a string line or stiff solid rod, From the axle center to the spindle bolt center. The steering arm off the spindle needs to have the tie rod bolt hole line up with the string.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

Thanks Chancer. My kart doesn't have the space to point the spindle arms backwards. I have, however, been reading the Better Steering Sticky by half-breeder. I think I'll take a look at his third suggested fix, and try making a pitman arm plate this weekend.

 

[chancer]

I never understood that way of doing it. lol
But it is worth a try for sure.

I have seen many times the advice given on a set up like yours to simply swap the arms on the existing steering Pit man arm plate.

Also try sending Half breeder a PM (he should get it via email automaticallly) with this thread linked.
He is a helpful friendly knowledgable guy, just got tired of some "issues" on this forum.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

After reading through the sticky a few times I took my measurements and drew my setup. I'll have to get some longer threaded rod and build a pitman plate to try it out. Looks like my plate will be about 4.5" wide and hang out 4 inches past my existing plate.

I haven't decided if I'm going to put the effort in or not. Maybe I'll try swapping the arms on the existing plate and see how much improvement that gives me first.

Here's the drawing I put together to get the measurements. It's simple once you understand it (if I actually understand it), but took me a while to wrap my head around.

 

[chancer]

Looking at the drawing there looks to be a line that intersects from each of your outer tie rod ends through your spindle bolt and if continued will probably (should) cross again at the center of rear axle.
It is similar to the drawing I posted, but with the steering arms out front.

So it looks like you could just swap the spindles left to right. As long as your tie rods woll all intersect.

Or Just steer with your Right Foot! lol

 

[chancer]

I am not good at paint.
But it still works with the Front steering.
(edit)
I guess you gotta zoom in to see my pic adjustments lol

 

[SpiderSpartan]

I think I'd have to put the spindle arm inside my rim to keep that angle. FiremanJim tried that, further down on the better steering sticky, and said it made the steering way to sensitive.

 

[chancer]

I have one Kart that seems no matter what. It just steers Good!
Another that I made per the Drawing. It works good.
I have 2 karts that Started live as "Razor Electric Dune Buggies"
Those 2 do not steer very good. but playing around with this stuff I can make them decent.

My point is you sometimes just gotta play around with it and Test. If it works to your comfort. great.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

I got excited today when I figured out I had the clearance to cross my tie rods.

Then I got sad when I figured out one tie rod was about a half inch too short to get proper alignment.

I'll have to see if I can make a small extension some how.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

3/8-24 couplers are special order at my local big box store, but they had them at Ace hardware. I cut the head off a hex bolt and extended my tie rod. Could be my imagination, but I think it does steer better. Also the brake works great.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

I'm not sure I'm completely happy with the turning radius yet, so I've been thinking about how I could possibly swap the spindles and make the arms point backwards.

I think I have the clearance to run the tie rods under the kart, but I can't quite rap my head around how to mount them to the steering column in a way that would work.

Right now I'm thinking about cutting a slit in the floor pan and connecting an arm to the steering column to run through and connect to the tie rods. I think if try to run the tie rods above the frame I would have to step on them to hit the pedals.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

I'm not done with this project, but I'm not finding a lot of time to work on it lately. I actually turned my steering wheel around today along with the spindles. The tie rods actually connected, but when I made a hard right the ball popped out of the socket on the shorter tie rod.

Maybe I need to find a way to lean the kart so the inside rear wheel lifts a little to allow for better turns. I'm wondering if the added weight of the larger engine and live axle gear in the back of the kart is hurting my steering as well.

 

[SpiderSpartan]

Has anyone tried extending spindle bracket arms to get more of a swing angle on your front wheels? I'm getting too many ideas and not finding the time to actually try anything yet.