Steering Angle Issues (Gross Difference Left vs. Right)

[akitchell]

I'm on the final states of my go kart rebuild and am reassembling the steering. However, there is a large difference between the left and right steering angles when turning left and right. The spindle tie in points are slightly bent and the tie rods aren't perfectly straight, but it doesn't seem like that would be enough to drive the problem...but then again, maybe it is? See pics. I can also post a quick video if that would help.

Steering to the right seems correct, or at least mostly correct. It's the steering to the left that is grossly off.

 

[itsid]

if the tie rods are of different length, swap them!

If they're adjustable ADJUST them

The pitman arm (the two hole plate ont he end of the steering shaft) needs to be perfectly centered when going straight)

I'm not entirely sure what kart this is.. but since your spindles come with straight arms...
it appears that they originally cross at the piman arm to achieve Ackermann geometry.
(ie. the tierod from the left wheel goes to the RIGHT hole; the tierod from the right wheel to the LEFT hole)
One from above one from below of course

But that's just a guess.

'sid

 

[akitchell]

The tie rods are centered and are the same length. The tie rod from the left is in the left hole and from the right is in the right hole. The two holes on the pitman arm are perfectly in line so it wouldn't work to cross the tie rods. Are you referring to crossing when it is turned? I believe this is a yerf dog 3020.

 

[itsid]

I know they're in line.. that's why one is attached from above and the other from below..

Anyways.. a YerfDog 3020 has terrible steering and no ackermann at all.. so chances are they indeed connect left left, right right.

Now..

Adjust the tie rod length (both ends are threaded for exactly that reason!)
attach the wheels, set them straight and adjust the tie rod length up to the point where the pitman arm is perfectly centered when going straight.

Yes, too bad you covered them in paint... that'll have to be removed to adjust the length.. but it is like it is.

here'S a vid.. see wheels pointing straight, pitman arm centered..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts_SlyPcuB0

And here you can see the threaded portion that is meant to adjust the length :
on a yerfdog 3020
preview img:

'sid

 

[Poboy kartman]

The tie rods are centered and are the same length. The tie rod from the left is in the left hole and from the right is in the right hole. The two holes on the pitman arm are perfectly in line so it wouldn't work to cross the tie rods. Are you referring to crossing when it is turned? I believe this is a yerf dog 3020.

But looking at pic #2 the wheels are turned when the pitman arm is centered!!!!!


It would if one was on the front and one was on the back.

 

[akitchell]

Picture 2 is of the steering turned. 2 and 4 is supposed to show that I can way oversteer in one direction but not in the other.

 

[big-d]

Like has been suggested already. Start by adjusting the tie rods to the correct lengths. Your tires will rub the paint off your frame when they oversteer, unless you put in steering stops or rebuild your spindles so they have Ackerman.

 

[akitchell]

I'm assuming correct length is determined by having the pitman straight and then setting the wheels with a slight toe in?

How do I rebuild the spindles to have Ackerman? Can these be purchased? If so, do you have a suggested set to purchase and what are the critical measurements when looking for new ones?

 

[big-d]

Use the search feature, read up on it. There are some great members here that have taken a lot of time to do write ups on things like this. I don't know if they make a pre made set for this specific kart. Width and wheelbase dictate the angles needed. You might be able to find some that are close enough though?