UK Karting - Notice Board (General Karting) : Re: steering problem!!

Notice Board (General Karting)

Re: steering problem!!
Posted by 'itpro' on 26 Dec 2011 @ 00:47

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itproJoined: August 2001
Total Posts: 6
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It's designed to do that! Don't worry about it!

Please don't be confused about what 'ackerman' steering means. Karting peoiple always talk about 'Ackerman' without understanding what it is nor what it does, nor how it WORKS. It's NOT to do with the number of the holes in your steering shaft. It's designed into ALL karts regardless of having the more than one set of holes in the shaft. The extra steering holes make it mopre or less pronounced.... as do other changes.

Here's a web site that will let you see it in action:-

http://www.compgoparts.com/TechnicalResources/AckermanSteering.asp

Let me explain:

When you were a kid, you ran races round an athletics track. The INSIDE lane was shorter than the outside lane, yup?

That effect occurs on your kart, too! In a corner, the INSIDE wheel travels a shorter distance thasn the outside for exactly that reason.

However, the inside lane is also a 'sharper corner' than the outside. To make your kart work best, you need the inside wheel turned-in FURTHER than the outside wheel so that each wheel 'follows' the path it needs for its angle of turn........ now re-run the website and you'll see that is EXACTLY what 'ackerman' gives you. It lets each wheel follow (errr..... lead) the PERFECT line round the corner for each front wheel.

Obviously, both front wheels 'skid' a bit (called 'slip') and the amount each one 'slips' may make a diference as to the 'ideal' angle of each wheel in a corner. By mounting the track rod further IN to the centre of the kart on the stub axle and/or mounting the track rod further OUT on the 'spade' on the steering column, you will increase the amount by which the inner wheel turns more than the outer wheel! The 'correct' amount can only be achieved by trial and error! Try the kart with minimum Ackerman and then increase it and feel the differences....

The other choice is to decide that it really DOESN'T make a HUGE amount of difference to a 'fairly-new-beginner'. However, if you want to TRY everything, at least you can now see what 'Ackerman' really is and DOES!

Please note, some others will tell you, with HUGE confidence that 'Ackerman Steering' is having multiple holes in the 'spade': I can tell you, with even MORE confidence.... they are WRONG!

Ian

Message Thread:

steering problem!! by 'kingspamjavelin' (26 Dec 2011 @ 0:26)

Re: steering problem!! by 'itpro' << You are here!

Re: steering problem!! by 'John' (26 Dec 2011 @ 6:36)

Re: steering problem!! by 'Farrang' (26 Dec 2011 @ 8:48)

Re: steering problem!! by 'applekart' (26 Dec 2011 @ 8:51)

Re: steering problem!! by 'Hootsman' (26 Dec 2011 @ 10:39)

Re: steering problem!! by 'brinjono' (26 Dec 2011 @ 12:27)

welcome back by 'positivekarter' (26 Dec 2011 @ 13:31)

Re: welcome back by 'raceinstructor' (26 Dec 2011 @ 15:04)

Awwwww shucks...... by 'itpro' (27 Dec 2011 @ 1:10)

Re: Awwwww shucks...... by 'kartcollector' (27 Dec 2011 @ 19:59)

Re: Awwwww shucks...... by 'Traxtar' (27 Dec 2011 @ 20:13)

Re: Awwwww shucks...... by 'kartcollector' (28 Dec 2011 @ 8:58)

Re: steering problem!! by 'PaulMRotax' (27 Dec 2011 @ 9:07)

Re: steering problem!! by 'tkmracer9' (04 Jan 2012 @ 15:51)

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