Arachnid Build

[r97]

i found just slightly grinding down a 5/8" rod, or getting a bolt some where between 15mm and 1/64" below 5/8", i haven't had problems with the spindles unless i try bolting two with one bolt.

 

[Bill CNC]

Before you cut it off, ... try to use a round file and hit it were the problem is. CHECK OFTEN. If you find their is to much slop, ... then cut it off and replace it.

 

[Silvergrizz]

Man Grizz I hate to be the barrier of bad news but something is wrong with your spindles. Are both the upper and lower a arms the same length? The way it's now you have positive camber and you should have none at full droop. With the set up on that buggy the spindle should be straight up and down. I think it's just the adjustments of the outer rod ends.

Theo, I adjusted the upper Heim joints in to the point that they were jamming an this is where I am at regarding the steering geometry. The drop angle of the A-Arms is 22 degrees at max. The heim joints will jam at this point, unless I take the mini grinder and gently carve out some of the shoulder material on the top inside and bottom outside of each joint to allow the cone spacers more travel.

This currently gives me 6 degrees of positive camber, which is also the KPI, since the spindle is welded at 90 degrees. The caster is currently 10 degrees back. This I can adjust to some degree, by changing shim locations of the A-Arm bushings. Maybe +- 2 more degrees.

As an initial starting point, keeping in mind this is an off road kart, should toe be in or out.

Ackerman is currently zero. Will have to cut and re-weld, or just make new spindles from scratch, once I get calculate what the angle should be.

 

[redsox985]

On an offroad kart, Ackerman won't matter as much, due to sliping on non-solid/packed surfaces, as it would on a street/race style kart.

 

[Silvergrizz]

On an offroad kart, Ackerman won't matter as much, due to sliping on non-solid/packed surfaces, as it would on a street/race style kart.

Thanks, that's one less job to be done. Appreciate it.

 

[Bill CNC]

I bought my spindle brackets from Azuza, I believe they are the same ones as BMI, and I have a pair of those as well. I assume they are for a street kart as neither one of those places really deal with off road stuff. Seems to me with that in mind, ... more than likely they should have Ackerman built into them, ... wouldn't that be a fair assumption?

 

[gokart14]

Before you cut it off, ... try to use a round file and hit it were the problem is. CHECK OFTEN. If you find their is to much slop, ... then cut it off and replace it.

i was able to grind it down with a file and it works now

 

[Silvergrizz]

I bought my spindle brackets from Azuza, I believe they are the same ones as BMI, and I have a pair of those as well. I assume they are for a street kart as neither one of those places really deal with off road stuff. Seems to me with that in mind, ... more than likely they should have Ackerman built into them, ... wouldn't that be a fair assumption?

It makes sense that there would be. You would just take the average length of a road kart, make it for that. I would think most road karts are an average length & width. However, I don't see any around here, so who knows?

 

[Silvergrizz]

Finally,

A rolling chassis (not steerable yet). I built new tie rods today. Ones I ordered from BMI were too long (after asking the builder the proper length, not even considering we widened the front suspension block by 1"). Plus they had heim joints on both ends.

New ones I fabricated from 1/2" 14 guage round stock. Bought some 3" 3/8 fine thread bolts, cut the heads off, welded them into rod through 2 1/8 holes on either sided. Bolts had just over 1" of thread, I was planning on adding more, but my threader was making a mess of it all. So, I settled for that. I have about 1" of total adjustment in the tie rods. They now have yoke ends at one end and ball joints at the other.

Ground clearance is awesome. 7" at the lowest part of the A-Arms on the front, 3 3/4 on the drive sprocket.

Rear suspension has a 20 degree angle. Now I know how much I need to level the motor.

Pictures attached.

Oh Yea, the dog thinks I'm building it for her.

 

[Wobbly]

Grizz that looks amazing! Hat off to you, top job

 

[Bill CNC]

Holy Mackerel, ... it looks like a kart!!!!

20* on the rear is what I am going for, ... The CV,halfshafts will go 25* but 20* wet weight is were I would like it.

Where did you get the cone nuts, and do you have any pictures of one?

 

[Silvergrizz]

Thanks, Wobbly. My big concern now is whether or not it's big enough for me. I plan on installing the steering tomorrow, but I have a feeling my knees are going to be wrapped around it . Time will tell. I hate to have to cut it half at this point to add extra length. Thought I might be able to move the pedals a little farther forward. NOT! :toetap05:

I am very pleased at how it is all falling together, just the same, despite the difficulties to date.

 

[Silvergrizz]

Holy Mackerel, ... it looks like a kart!!!!

20* on the rear is what I am going for, ... The CV,halfshafts will go 25* but 20* wet weight is were I would like it.

Where did you get the cone nuts, and do you have any pictures of one?

Bill, They are cone spacers, I got off E-bay. They are the same idea as the ones you made to allow the suspension to get full travel.

Checks out this guys store, got a few things of interest.

http://stores.ebay.ca/QS-Components...889QQ_sidZ61394735QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

 

[r97]

that looks awsome!

EDIT: those rims look expensive!

 

[Bill CNC]

Bill, They are cone spacers, I got off E-bay. They are the same idea as the ones you made to allow the suspension to get full travel.

Checks out this guys store, got a few things of interest.

http://stores.ebay.ca/QS-Components...889QQ_sidZ61394735QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Sweet, ... but the dam site is in Canadian Currency, .. customs, ... AGrrrr

hey, when you got your seat from Jegs, ... did you get the adjustable rails and stuff?

Thanks Bob
Bill

 

[gokart14]

um i have the same problem. the tie rods i got from bmi are to long. the 15 inch was to short and the 24 inch are to long so do you guys have any ideas how i could shorten them?? and make them work? thx.... i have to say that go kart is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! those tires make it look so sweet nice job

 

[Silvergrizz]

Sweet, ... but the dam site is in Canadian Currency, .. customs, ... AGrrrr

hey, when you got your seat from Jegs, ... did you get the adjustable rails and stuff?

Thanks Bob
Bill

Bill, just change the .ca to .com after ebay and you should see US pricing. The guy is in the states.

http://stores.ebay.com/QS-Component...889QQ_sidZ61394735QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Yes, I did get the rails from Jegs, along with the seat and cushion. Don't drill holes for the rails, until you get them, they seem to vary.

 

[Silvergrizz]

um i have the same problem. the tie rods i got from bmi are to long. the 15 inch was to short and the 24 inch are to long so do you guys have any ideas how i could shorten them?? and make them work? thx.... i have to say that go kart is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! those tires make it look so sweet nice job

The ones you got from BMI look like this? Aluminum with L & R handed threads? How much do you need to shorten it?

 

[Wobbly]

Grizz I'm not sure if you've had a look at this engine GUIDE but it mentions on page 55 that the max permissible angle of installation is 20 deg. It sounds like you are going to mount your engine at an angle to compensate but it may not be nesscesary.

 

[Silvergrizz]

Grizz I'm not sure if you've had a look at this engine GUIDE but it mentions on page 55 that the max permissible angle of installation is 20 deg. It sounds like you are going to mount your engine at an angle to compensate but it may not be nesscesary.

Wobbly, I downloaded it, but had not read it yet, Been spending my spare time trying to figure out how to see and edit video from a little camera that I picked up to mount to the kart.

But, , Thanks for pointing that out.