Help, go kart won’t turn!

[wolffan]

We just finished our homemade wood go kart. It feels solid and the electric drive train works well. Unfortunately, although the front wheels turn nicely, the kart pushes forward no matter which way the wheels are pointed. The front wheels just skid when turned. The rear wheels are on a fixed live axle. What do you all recommend so we can control this kart?? (Pics are attached for reference)

Thanks!
-Andy

 

[Smerft85]

Bigger tires and add some weight to the front is about my best guess, wood isn't the material of choice around here so don't know how much any flexing might influence your steering issues. Worst case you have a silent dragster?

 

[Karts of Kaos]

take the washer out of between the nut and front wheel. I have had the wheels lock up on my kart from that. it is scary when your doing 30 mph. I dont know if it will help but you can give it a shot.

 

[anickode]

You need more grip up front. That can come in the shape of softer front tires, bigger front tires (more contact patch), more weight in the front, or any combination thereof.

If there was a reasonable way to move the seat forward, or the rear axle back, that would probably be the best place to start.

 

[Karts of Kaos]

put on some ankle weight wile you are driving and see what happens.

 

[Brianator]

"Pushing" is generally caused by a lack of Ackerman in the steering when the wheels turn equally, you actually want the inside tire to steer a little bit more than the outside tire but what Smert85 said about bigger wheels and more weight is probably spot on. You could play with the toe in/out and see if there's any improvement also, it's a quick and free experiment.

 

[Smerft85]

put on some ankle weight wile you are driving and see what happens.

Ankle weights? How about a 75 pound sand bag if you want to experiment in a worthwhile manner, 10 pounds in ankle weights isn't going to tell much I don't think.

 

[landuse]

Post some good pics of the tie rod and front wheel area. One pic overhead when wheels are straight, then one turned to the left, and then the wheels turned to the right. This will allow us to see if you have proper Ackermann steering geometry.

The other thing is weight up front. The front is too light to allow the wheels to grip properly when turned

 

[wolffan]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was thinking I might need to convert to a dead axle by making one rear wheel spin freely. However, I’ll try all your suggestions first.

 

[wolffan]

Post some good pics of the tie rod and front wheel area. One pic overhead when wheels are straight, then one turned to the left, and then the wheels turned to the right. This will allow us to see if you have proper Ackermann steering geometry.

The other thing is weight up front. The front is too light to allow the wheels to grip properly when turned

Here are some photos, let me know what you think.

 

[Brianator]

Looks like you have some Ackerman which is good but its toed out quite alot which could cause the pushing, try the tires strait and test then add some toe in (1/4-1/2") and see what happens. Please report back with findings!

 

[wolffan]

I had my 60 lb son stand on the front while I drove (don't judge me). It did steer better. But, I wore through the rubber on the front wheel and it blew out! So, it seems that I can add 50+ lbs to the front to make the steering grip. But, I'm not comfortable with the idea of adding tons of weight. It will stress the wood frame and add load to the motor.

My other option is to convert the rear live axle to a dead axle. What would you guys do in my situation??

-Andy

 

[anickode]

Hate to say it, but wood is cheap. Build a longer frame with the seat farther forward?

 

[Smerft85]

Honestly, I'd look over the local ads and find a steel frame to put all your parts on. The thought of a wood kart scares the crap out of me, but I'm accustomed to 30-50 mph range on my karts. Can only imagine the shower of splinters in a wreck at those speeds.

 

[anickode]

Honestly, I'd look over the local ads and find a steel frame to put all your parts on. The thought of a wood kart scares the crap out of me, but I'm accustomed to 30-50 mph range on my karts. Can only imagine the shower of splinters in a wreck at those speeds.

Properly designed, wood is a fine medium for building all sorts of things.

The spruce goose was almost entirely wood.

Ford model T had a wooden frame and wheels

Centuries of ships

Bridges that support freight trains

Heck, there's even a wooden supercar.

 

[Smerft85]

Properly designed, wood is a fine medium for building all sorts of things.

The spruce goose was almost entirely wood.

Ford model T had a wooden frame and wheels

Centuries of ships

Bridges that support freight trains

Heck, there's even a wooden supercar.

Well aware, also aware that most of what you mentioned has either already been replaced by steel, or is probably being considered, for example, the model "t" hasn't been around for almost 100 years, most ships today are steel and that didn't even keep the titanic afloat, the wooden super car is a concept car, and the wood used in bridges is a far cry from plywood and 2x4's. Wasn't trying to argue, only saying what I would do in the O.P.'s situation if it were me.

Sid said once, I'm all the way over here, you can ride it, I don't have to and can stay safe far away from it. Or something very similar, I stated my preference, you can have your opinion too. Doesn't really make me wrong in any way.

 

[Functional Artist]

Well aware, also aware that most of what you mentioned has either already been replaced by steel, or is probably being considered, for example, the model "t" hasn't been around for almost 100 years, most ships today are steel and that didn't even keep the titanic afloat, the wooden super car is a concept car, and the wood used in bridges is a far cry from plywood and 2x4's. Wasn't trying to argue, only saying what I would do in the O.P.'s situation if it were me.

Sid said once, I'm all the way over here, you can ride it, I don't have to and can stay safe far away from it. Or something very similar, I stated my preference, you can have your opinion too. Doesn't really make me wrong in any way.

...kinda sounds argu-y

You made your point
…& he made his

No one said anyone's wrong

IMO
...design is just as, if not more important, than the actual materials something is made out of

* Back to OP's question,
Yup, with the slow speeds involved, I'd just remove the "key" from one of the rear wheels
...problem solved

 

[ol'joe]

+1 on getting rid of the locked axle. Set up that way, you are just "dragging" the front end to one side or another, not steering it.....Joe

 

[Smerft85]

...kinda sounds argu-y

You made your point
…& he made his

Probably better I'm not allowed to say what I'd like to, but I invite both of you yet again to P.M. me and see how far your attitudes get you, two little peas in a pod!

Btw, that's far from "argue-ey", it was pointing out some minor ignorance is all.

 

[Bansil]

Heck I would just cut it behind the seat use 2 pc of 2 x 4 x 48 and make it 2 feet longer


Disclaimer:
Heck we built and road Karts made of 3 pcs of 2 x 4's in the day, 1 held the rear axle, 1 we steered with feet and rope, the 3rd one connected the 2 half's, and we used a lot less plywood in ours, pushed them down steepest roads we had. a 2 x 4 also was the brake

BRB......