Oversteer - Understeer - Lack of Grip - Bouncing - Bogging

Hellion

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I stole this with a copy/paste because sites and pages have a bad habit of going *poof*.


There are many ways to describe the handling of your kart, this is a guide to help you fix those issues.


Oversteer (Turn Entry)​

“The back slides/the kart oversteers going into the turns”​

Solution 1: Reduce the front track by removing 1 spacer from the inside of the spindle. (If right turns oversteer, adjust the left-front tire and vise versa.)
Solution 2: Reduce the caster setting. (You should try to keep the camber setting the same first)
Solution 2: Increase amount of negative camber 1mm (or 1/4 degree) at a time.
Solution 3 (If ambient temperature is cold): Increase rear tyre pressure by 1 psi.
Solution 4: Make sure the back axle is located full down position (i.e. the kart with maximum rear ride height)
Solution 5: Raise the front ride height by lowering the front spindles in the chassis by one spacer at a time
Solution 6: Reduce the Ackerman by moving the bolt to the outside hole on the spindle. If more Ackerman needs to be taken out, the tie-rod links should go in the center hole option on the steering shaft.

Oversteer (Through Turn/at Apex)​

“There is no rear traction/the kart is oversteering coming from the apex off”​

Solution: Reduce the rear track width by 1/4” on both sides at a time
Solution 1: Replace rear wheel hubs with longer units while keeping track width the same.

“There kart has too much front grip causing oversteering at the apex”​

Solution: Increase amount of negative camber 1mm (or 1/4 degree) at a time.


Oversteer (Turn Exit)​

“There’s no rear traction/the kart is oversteering coming from the apex out of a corner”​

Solution 1: Reduce the rear track width by 1/4” on each side at a time.
Solution 1: Replace rear wheel hubs with longer units while keeping track width the same.
Solution 2: Mount seat stays on either side of the seat.
Solution 3: Move rear seat back by 1/2” inch
Solution 4: Replace seat with a stiffer version

“There kart has too much front grip causing oversteering after the apex”​

Solution: Increase amount of negative camber 1mm (or 1/4 degree) at a time.


Understeer/Push (Turn Entry)​

“Understeer on turn-in to the apex of the corner”​

Solution 1: Widen the front track width one spacer at a time. (If right turns understeer, adjust the left-front tire and vise versa.)
Solution 2: Reduce amount of negative camber 1mm (1/4 degree) at a time. (If right turns understeer, adjust the left-front tire and vise versa.)
Solution 3: Increase the castor (If right turns understeer, adjust the left-front tire and vise versa.)
Solution 4: Place in front torsion bar
Solution 5: Lower the front ride height (raise the front spindle by one spacer)
Solution 5: Increase nose weight percentage
Solution 6: Tighten front crash bar
Solution 6: Raise the front tire pressure by 1 psi. (This option is good if the understeer improves throughout session.)

Understeer/Push (Through Turn)​

“There is understeer through the turn. I cannot get to the apex.”​

Solution 1: Increase the castor
Solution 2: Increase rear track width by 1/4” on both sides at a time. Remember not to exceed maximum width regulations.
Solution 1: Replace rear wheel hubs with shorter units while keeping track width the same.
Solution 3: Increase nose weight percentage
Solution 4: Place in front torsion bar
Solution 5: Raise the front tire pressure by 1 psi. (This option is good if the understeer improves throughout session.)


Understeer/Push (Turn Exit)​

“There is understeer from the apex and out of the corner. I’m able to get to the apex and inside rear wheel lifts.”​

Solution 2: Increase rear track width by 1/4” on both sides at a time. Remember not to exceed maximum width regulations.
Solution 1: Replace rear wheel hubs with shorter units while keeping track width the same.
Solution 1: Decrease the castor
Solution 4: Decrease rear tire pressure by 1 psi. (This option is good if the understeer gets worse throughout session.)

“There is understeer from the apex and out of the corner. Inside rear wheel does not lift.”​

Solution 1: Increase the castor
Solution 1: Decrease rear track width by 1/4” on both sides at a time.
Solution 1: Replace rear wheel hubs with longer units while keeping track width the same.
Solution 3: Loosen side pod bars
Solution 3: Move seat 1/2” forward
Solution 4: Replace seat with softer version.


Tight/Engine “Bogs”​

“The engine sounds like it bogs down through the apex and exit of the turn.”​

*Note: These chassis adjustments assume that the motor is running properly and the kart is too tight and excessively reduces roll speed.
Solution 1: Increase amount of negative camber 1mm (or 1/4 degree) at a time.
Solution 2: Increase the castor
Solution 4: Decrease rear tire pressure by 1 psi. (This option is good if the understeer gets worse throughout session.)


Hopping​

“The kart hops through the turn and does not get better during the session.”​

Solution 1: Decrease tire pressure by 1 psi at a time.
Solution 2: Increase rear track width by 1/4” on both sides at a time.

“The kart hops through the turn and it goes away later in the session.”​

Solution 1: Increase tire pressure by 1 psi at a time.
 
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