Author Topic: Front Axle Fabrication Questions  (Read 3447 times)

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Offline Tom Fox

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Front Axle Fabrication Questions
« on: October 22, 2006, 08:51:42 am »
I see that a good percentage of builders use KART SPINDLES. I'm getting ready to order parts for my front axle build and just want to make sure I don't order the "WRONG" spindles.

Is their any one specific KART mfg that seems to have the best spindle??

Also...upon building a front axle, need to know ball park settings for initial...

CAMBER
CASTER
TOE

And how much kingpin inclination(sp?) is ideal?

Yes I know I can go out and buy a complete ready to weld in, proven, well working front axle....but.....

I wanna build my own!
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline mowdak1

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Front Axle Fabrication Questions
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2006, 10:14:20 am »
I believe you'll find answers to most of your questions in the two stickied threads in the Mower Build section...

Offline Squidd

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Front Axle Fabrication Questions
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2006, 11:58:59 am »
Quote from: "MOWMAN RACER"
I see that a good percentage of builders use KART SPINDLES. I'm getting ready to order parts for my front axle build and just want to make sure I don't order the "WRONG" spindles.

Is their any one specific KART mfg that seems to have the best spindle??

Look for something with a hardened axle spindle...watch out for the ones with the "ball" welded to king pin tube, tend to be a bit softer and bendable) bearings are nice, brass bushings are OK and stay away from plastic bushings...
Quote
Also...upon building a front axle, need to know ball park settings for initial...

CAMBER
CASTER
TOE

And how much kingpin inclination(sp?) is ideal?


Thats gonna depend on the type of spindles you get and how much if any kingpin inclination they have to start..

If you get a basic "T" or perpendicular spindle, start with (from sitting on mower):

Camber R-3*, L-1 1/2*
Caster   R 7* positive and L 13* positive
Toe        Dead nuts 0 or maybe 1/8" out (depends on track)

These again are Initial setups I use for a "T" type spindle as the caster effect builds on the initial camber... on an inclined kingpin, the geometry and climbing effect is different and I believe the settings are just a little different all the way around...George did a write up on the EC axle, which I stickied on top this page, but there was a deeper discussion in another thread..

I'll see if I can dig it up...I'm gonna run the EC spindles on my new FX so I need to find those anyway..
Randy Stys
"Pull My Finger"
 63 Cub Cadet S/A

Offline Squidd

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Front Axle Fabrication Questions
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2006, 12:04:27 pm »
Here it is... Front End Set Up

Dang, that "Search Feature" button works nice... :wink:
Randy Stys
"Pull My Finger"
 63 Cub Cadet S/A

Offline Tom Fox

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Front Axle Fabrication Questions
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2006, 07:27:19 pm »
Thanks so much!!! Read the sticky post a couple of times..got confused...read the post you just listed and reread the sticky...I'm getting the picture! THANKS!!

One more question.......Front track width...keep it about the same as the rear width?
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline Squidd

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Front Axle Fabrication Questions
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2006, 07:42:39 pm »
Close as you can get it...

But do yourself a favor... you don't need to go all out to "exactly" (pushing the legal limits) on the track width....

No one wants to sit behind the guy in Techline that is "just a tad" ( 1/16"-1/8" ) too wide for the caliper and sit around while he makes adjustments...

A quarter inch ain't gonna make "that" much difference on the track... (JMPO)
Randy Stys
"Pull My Finger"
 63 Cub Cadet S/A

Offline mowdak1

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Front Axle Fabrication Questions
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2006, 07:43:48 pm »
Track Width needs to be built to your organization and class specs, both front and rear.

 

anything