Front End Alignment
Front End Alignment
1. ADJUSTABLE ACKERMAN
Problem: “My engine lacks mid-range punch when applying throttle from the apex of
the corner”
Solution: Increase the amount of Ackerman by moving the steering links to the inner
mounting holes on the stub axles
Problem: “The back slides/the kart
oversteers going into the turns”
Solution: Reduce the Ackerman setting
by one hole on the stub axles.
Problem: “There is too much steering or
bite on turn-in”
Solution: Reduce the Ackerman setting by
one hole on the stub axles.
Why?
A) Adjustable Ackerman on the Stub Axles’ Steering Arms
Arrow karts are supplied with stub axle steering arms that offer two settings as to where the steering
links can be bolted. These bolt holes set the amount of Ackerman being run on the kart.
Firstly, let’s explain how Ackerman works. If you take a piece of string 30cm long, and fix one end to
a table, at the free end make a mark at the tip then a second mark 5cm. further in, 25cm from where
the string is fixed. The first mark you made represents the outside front tyre of your kart, the second
mark being the inside front tyre and the fixed end on the string being the fulcrum of the arc the kart
is going through in a corner. Keeping it tight, when you move the string straight off you’ll notice
that the inside front tyre is going through a smaller diameter arc than the outside tyre. All things
being equal, the inside front tyre needs to be turned more into the corner than the outside front,
the principle used to achieve this in a car or, in our case, kart is called Ackerman. The outside holes
give almost parallel steering meaning front wheels turn at almost the same rate one to the other. In
using the inner hole offered on each stub axle, the kart will have more Ackerman or, in other words,
the more the inner stub axle will turn in ratio to the outer stub, (or, if you like, the more the toe-out
increases as the steering wheel is turned.)
6 FRONT END ALIGNMENT
