New Cart I Need some advice

[Chad Connolly]

does not turn well ?? any ideas ??

has a 13 hp live axle

its like the front end wants to slide

 

[crgcf]

more front weight might help with the front slidding.

 

[Chad Connolly]

like 50 lbs or so ?? Smaller front tire ??

 

[crgcf]

i would just add as needed, and looking at the pic. the front tires look kind of worn in the center, probably adding to the problem.

 

[Chad Connolly]

ok will try thanks for the help

 

[landuse]

Your steering geometry might also be terrible, making it not turn right. Have you got ackerman ? Have a look at this thread.

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11760

 

[Chad Connolly]

Does ackerman control both right and left turns ? If Im understanding it rite its kinda like lead in and lead out ? Also when im turning its like the front end does not want to grip the ground and just slides. The front tires dont have much grip left. A friend of mine suggested a tractor type front steer tire. Could a smaller tire work any better to get a shorter turning radius ??

 

[landuse]

Does ackerman control both right and left turns ? If Im understanding it rite its kinda like lead in and lead out ? Also when im turning its like the front end does not want to grip the ground and just slides. The front tires dont have much grip left. A friend of mine suggested a tractor type front steer tire. Could a smaller tire work any better to get a shorter turning radius ??

It does look like you are a bit light at the front. Have someone sit on the front and see what the turning is like then

 

[Chad Connolly]

Had my son 120 lbs sit on the front didn't want to steer at all I might have to change it from live to a slip type any suggestions ??

 

[machinist@large]

Had my son 120 lbs sit on the front didn't want to steer at all I might have to change it from live to a slip type any suggestions ??

What size axle does it have in the rear? Dia. and length. Photo's would help as well. You might be a candidate for a differential axle swap......

 

[DaiSan76]

It looks like the front sits higher than the rear, that might be making the problem worse. What happens if you let off the gas before you turn to let the weight shift forward?

 

[Chad Connolly]

What size axle does it have in the rear? Dia. and length. Photo's would help as well. You might be a candidate for a differential axle swap......

When I get back home I will measure it and repost thanks and what is a "differential axle swap...... "

I will also post some more pics of the axle and drive

 

[Chad Connolly]

It looks like the front sits higher than the rear, that might be making the problem worse. What happens if you let off the gas before you turn to let the weight shift forward?

Have not tried that. All i can remember is that the front end wants to slide and not grip but I am getting great ideas from these post !!

How much lower does the front need to be ? or is just trial and error ??

 

[machinist@large]

When I get back home I will measure it and repost thanks and what is a "differential axle swap...... "

A differential compensates for the speed difference of the driven wheels in a turn; when turning, the wheel on the outside of the turn rotates faster that the inside wheel. Thats why having just a straight axle can cause your cart to just want to go straight (I'm not saying that's the only reason,but it's not helping). Proper balance and steering design can greatly minimize the effect but won't eliminate it completely.

 

[crgcf]

what are the conditions of the front coilovers? do they bounce or are they stiff? i've worked in the offroad industry for the past 15yrs and our jeepspeed cherokee lost front grip in the baja 250 last year due to a bad coilover.

 

[Chad Connolly]

A differential compensates for the speed difference of the driven wheels in a turn; when turning, the wheel on the outside of the turn rotates faster that the inside wheel. Thats why having just a straight axle can cause your cart to just want to go straight (I'm not saying that's the only reason,but it's not helping). Proper balance and steering design can greatly minimize the effect but won't eliminate it completely.

I will post some pics and maybe I can cut the axle in half and put a hanger up and only have one tire pulling

 

[Chad Connolly]

what are the conditions of the front coilovers? do they bounce or are they stiff? i've worked in the offroad industry for the past 15yrs and our jeepspeed cherokee lost front grip in the baja 250 last year due to a bad coilover.

From what I can recall they are quite stiff. The gentleman i bought it from told me the front end of it was off a Bayou 250 if that helps any

 

[machinist@large]

I will post some pics and maybe I can cut the axle in half and put a hanger up and only have one tire pulling

Pictures first; I personally would like some of the more experienced builders to see what you have to work with, and bounce the ideas off of them as well (see what stick, you know?). I won't lie; I've got a lot of experience in heavy industry building a lot of different things, but I've never got around to building something as small as a go kart. (I really need to address that.......)

 

[Chad Connolly]

Pictures first; I personally would like some of the more experienced builders to see what you have to work with, and bounce the ideas off of them as well (see what stick, you know?). I won't lie; I've got a lot of experience in heavy industry building a lot of different things, but I've never got around to building something as small as a go kart. (I really need to address that.......)

OK no prob will post pics in about 5 days would really love to get this running great for my son he is 13