[Kartbuilding] steering problem

[Stephen Burke]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your comments on the kartbuilding site. I do think that the 
skills and ideas of kartbuilding transfer over into other disciplines and 
other areas of engineering.

Anyways - Yes - I do know exactly the problem you are having. I 
experienced the same problem a few times myself. The cause of not been 
able to steer is due to the "fixed rear live axle". Does the rear axle 
rotate on your flyer powered wagon? Do both rear wheels turn together? If 
so - this is your problem. Ideally there should be a differential to allow 
the outside wheel turn faster when cornering. See:
http://kartbuilding.net/drive/Differential.htm

A quick solution is to put one of the rear wheels spining freely, and not 
driven by the motor. Essentially this turns the wagon into a one wheel 
drive. This is the easiest option.

Depending on the weights involved, the steering setup etc. it is possible 
to have a solid live rear axle, however steering is still restricted. The 
inside rear wheel on a solid live axle must still "slip" to allow the 
kart/wagon turn.

I hope you can understand the above explaination, and that having only 
rear wheel driving will work ok for you.

Best of Luck,
Steve

On Sat, 3 Nov 2007, Dan Stanley wrote:

> Hi There, great info on your site. I was wondering if you could help me out. I am building a radio flyer poweredwagon. I have run into a handling problem. When I turn the steering wheel it wants to continue straight. I have to slow right down and turn very slowly. Based on the 3 item highlighted on your site which one seems more likely to be my problem caster,camber or ackemann ?
>    Thanks for your help!
>
>
> ---------------------------------