Live Axle Hand Holding

[Poboy kartman]

Nice car. (Poboy is NOT predictable! )

 

[MrC.]

Theres at least one on every forum. Lol

 

[MrC.]

472 punched .030 over. Lets just say its torquey.
Its far from finished but I enjoy it.

 

[Denny]

I dig it! Even like the engine color also. Can't go wrong with a 53-4 Chevy.
I too have wierdos. A 65 Pontiac GP w/8 lug wheels, a strippo 0 option 66 Cadillac Calais and a 67SS impala convertible. I have others also but their a secret.


Denny

 

[Iron John]

If you look close the front "axle" or beam it pivots on a 5/8 bolt in the center of the frame. there are two limiters one on each side. Its basically a tractor front end.
The kart does drift now ( very well ) but only in a right hand turn which loads the drive wheel, when I turn left (at speed/sharply) the drive tire lifts up as the kart pivots and spins or looses traction. I think a live axle would fix this because both tires would be driven all the time and the lifting would not matter as much and it would not loose speed from spinning.

FYI this was a two seater I converted to center steer.

Also 1 more Question is there a bushing or something to take up the slop between the spindle and the spindle bolt?

Thanks
MrC.

Thanks for clarifying. I would leave the pivot as it helps keep wheels planted on bumpy ground. It will not affect drifting.

The reason you see differences drifting one way or the other presently is because only one wheel is being driven. The force applied when cornering is different left to right, which significantly changes the dynamic behavior of the kart.

What you have is reminiscent of a Dynamic Stability Control system - that prevent you from spinning out, as featured on modern cars - except, just when turning one direction!!! Well, not quite, but my point is that when it comes to one-wheel drive, handling is never symmetrical. Not even if your kart had the power of that 472.

Adding a live axle will get you drifting all over the place, left or right, pivot or not. So leave the pivot, install the axle, and drift on!!!

 

[firemanjim]

Im guessing my pivot kart frame is an od ball make. I could not find another one like it on the web.
I think the pivot is making the left turnning issue worse. If the frame was solid i dont think the tire would lift as much. I may pin the axle and try it before removing the pivot. I like od ball stuff.
You should see my hot rod.

MrC.

Can you explain to me what the problem is, and is it like a bushing you need made? Do you have dial calipers?

 

[MrC.]

No problem really, Just thinking the pivot frontend is exaggerating the one wheel drive slip/spin more when turning left. Its more of an issue than it would be if the frame did not pivot. when I turn left at speed the front pivots and the left rear ( drive ) tire lifts and spins causing me to loose speed until I straighten up. When I get the solid rear axle I think the issue will go away.

Anyone use automotive value springs as mini suspension on the front of a go-kart? How much weight or force does it take to compress a value spring?

 

[Poboy kartman]

The 'Great Value' brand springs from Wal-Mart have a weaker compression rate than those from 'True Value' ...

And automotive valve springs have different heights and compression rates...probably better off with some factory replacement Manco springs.

 

[MrC.]

Ha ha you got me, **** auto spell check.
thanks Poboy
MrC.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Now that I've had my fun....I don't actually have a way to measure spring rate...but I can tell you the factory springs on my Manco seem quite stiff...(very comparable to stock small block V-8's with hydraulic flat tappet cams...(just by feel) ...