Sharper steering solved

Mr Freeze · #1 12-09-2002, 11:43 PM

The story goes like this:

I have two different Bits. One has a 6 inch turn diameter and the other has a 10 inch turn. (both left and right turns are pretty much equal) Now this to me is not right... the two cars should be close. I checked everything and did notice that one coil has a wire on the face of it. This was posted by another guy awhile back but this shouldn't affect steering in both directions. The magnet should never hit the coils anyways.

What I found:
The little tab, as seen in the pic below, on the car that has the smallest turning radius is the narrowest. The car that has the ten inch turns has a tab at least a milimeter wider. This tab rides in a slot on the top plate, the one held down with the screw, and stops the magnet from actually hitting the coils when turning. (the slot is under the stab bar if you have one)
TA DA!!! That's it!!! Wide tab=wide turns. Narrow tab=sharper turns. Wide tab=less steering throw. Narrow tab=greater steering throw.

I'm also thinking that if this tab is deformed in any way we would have cars that might turn sharper in one direction... no matter what we do.

Now I know what everyone is thinking... just trim this tab so it is narrower.
The trick will be:
-Too narrow and it will cause the magnets to hit the coils.
-Too narrow and the steering will be psychotically touchy.
-Not an equal trim job and the steering will be lopsided.

I'm now looking for a way to be able to adjust my steering throw buy varying the width of this slot... much easier than varying the width of the tab I think.

alpha1 · #2 12-10-2002, 12:44 AM

Isn't that tab you have pictured only to hold the spring down? If you cut it down too much your spring may get dislodged.

Dracos · #3 12-10-2002, 01:38 AM

If you slightly melt the top of the post that goes through the ring of the steering spring, the spring won't come off very easily. Be VERY careful doing this though.

kombatgti · #4 12-10-2002, 07:30 AM

I dunno about melting the top of the spring post, I jacked my steering when I did that and had to transplant the spring onto a new arm. But modifying the slot or tab slightly looks like a great idea, keep us posted.

hogjowlz · #5 12-10-2002, 07:50 AM

i put the flame of a lighter to it for about 2 seconds and barely pushed down with my finger. that is enough. why you are in there swap that magnet out. ill bet you a nickel that your steering will improve without trimming anything.

hogjowlz · #6 12-10-2002, 07:51 AM

also rub graphite allover the surface wherever the steering arm may touch and under the magnet and anywhere theres friction. that sovled a few minor issues that i had.

epengr · #7 12-10-2002, 04:03 PM

Mr Freeze

Is that a Tomy bit and if so is that a stock steering spring?

I just got my first bit, a Cyclona clone (today actually), and the steering doesn't center well. I opened it up and, well, I'd have to say I have public hairs that are thicker than the spring in mine. Yours looks ~5-10 times thicker.

Mine was also bent funny and it was a pain to straighten....

I guess you do get what you pay for

Oh, AND mine turns left better than right, and looking at that tab you mentioned, I think it is asymmetric. Looking at the mechanism I'd say your assement if its purpose is bang on. Now to work up the courage to file it down...

Be sure to let us know if you come up with a good way to adjust this.

1llusI0n · #8 12-10-2002, 05:17 PM

Good thinking i should try that some time.

DriveWRX · #9 12-10-2002, 05:30 PM

Mr Freeze,

Thanks for the great tip!

Mr Freeze · #10 12-10-2002, 08:01 PM

The car in the pic is a microsizer BTW.

I do have one car that has a tab that is slightly asymetric. When I say slightly I mean SLIGHT. BUT... this is really noticeable when driving. This car turns to the left tighter than the right.

Alpha1 and some others:
That tab does hold the spring but you can see how it works for yourself. Take off the stabilizer bar and turn the wheels left and right by hand. The wheels stop turning to either side when the tab hits the plastic part below where the stab bar was clipped into. (See pic)

I haven't had the courage to even out my wonky car yet. I imagine it could go like this:
Ok... really easy now... just a liiiittle off the left.... Oops... Ok... veeeery carfully... a hair off the right.... Ooops....
Etc. Etc. until the tab ends up looking more like a post