Setup question: CAT K2 centre track rod
 

Hi all,

I've been puzzling for a while now about the effect of lengthening or shortening the centre track rod on the CAT K2 (or any other car for that matter). I'm referring to the turnbuckle that connects the two steering bell cranks. The kit setup is shorter than some of the sample setups on Schumacher's website.

I can't quite tell if this has an effect on Ackermann, or whether it's more to do with the linearity of steering travel around centre. Both are probably wrong!

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

Cheers,

Jon

It's changing Ackerman effect.
This explains it pretty well.

http://www.competitionx.com/rc-tuning-ackermann/

Thanks for the link pointer. To be honest I'm a bit confused by what is meant by the 'Ackermann link'. What part is this on the bellcrank steering of a car like the K2?

I had a play around with centre track rod length in RC Crew Chief and I think I understand the relationship now. I find it a bit harder to visualise with the bellcrack steering.

From what I can tell from the simulation, a shorter centre track rod = less Ackermann, longer = more.

I have just fitted the V2 hub carriers at the front, which also affect Ackermann (by using a shorter arm out to the steering track rod attachment point, they reduce Ackermann). I guess this is a similar adjustment at the outboard side.

Am I way off here?