Tie Rods?

Lucas Homan · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:37 am Post subject: Tie Rods?

This is my sons second year in kid karts and I am trying to learn more about the kart and setup. We just picked up and 09 Emmick kid kart chassis and I measured the tie rods and one is 10mm longer than the other(left=195mm right=185mm). Is this normal, and if so, what is the purpose or reasoning for this. Thank in advance from a newb.
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Lucas Homan
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Eric Stevens · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:30 am Post subject:

The steering column is offset slightly to one side so the tie rod lengths are adjusted to match the offset.

Eric

Lucas Homan · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 8:36 am Post subject:

Ok that makes sense. So I shouldn't split the difference and put a 190mm on both sides.
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Lucas Homan
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Paul Makarucha · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:41 am Post subject:

Unless it is an offset (oval) chassis, The distance from Tie Rod end to Tie Rod end should be equal on both sides.

On the shorter tie rod, do you have significantly more thread sticking out of your tie rod ends compared to the longer tie rod? You should.

Don't measure just the rod, measure the entire length of the rod and ends on both sides, see if they are equal.

It is best (strongest) to use the largest size tie rod you can and keep the amount of showing thread on the tie rod ends to a minimum.

If you have unequal lengths you have unequal ackerman from left to right.

Hope this helps.
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Eric Stevens · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:56 pm Post subject:

Lucas Homan · Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 6:10 am Post subject:

Awesome! Thanks a ton for all the help. So far we are loving this sport and the people involved. Hopefully many more years of karting.
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Lucas Homan
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Dan Haynes · Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:55 am Post subject:

IIRC-Our Kosmics had one tie rod about 20mm longer than the other. But I think our Arrow has equal length tie rods.
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Tom Grisham · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:10 pm Post subject:

Most sprint karts are offset, primarily to compensate for the motor being on one side.

When setting the front end, the first thing is to make sure the steering shaft is straight. Can be tricky to get it perfect, but try putting a straight edge across the two bolts holding the tie-rods to the shaft and leveling or eyeballing it (do not just look to see if the steering wheel is straight). Once the steering shaft is straight, secure it if you can so it will not move and adjust/set from there.

Good luck!
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Matt Dixon · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:25 pm Post subject:

After you do what Tom said, measure from the inside of the front rim to the inside of the rear rim. Lengthen or shorten either tie rod to align you kart, then adjust your toe.
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