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Post by xxbowhunterx on Jan 25, 2012 13:35:47 GMT -6
My son won his packs PWD. He is now going to districts. My question is: Should I tear down the car and repolish the the axles and wheel hubs or should I let the car go and just regraphite it before the race?
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Post by Murph on Jan 25, 2012 15:03:11 GMT -6
Thanks for the inquiry xx.
When you get to disrict, you have may packs competing against your son.
I have run may Cub Scout PWD Races and here is my take.'''
You will probably have about two or three cars that are clearly faster than the rest of the cars. Then, the rest of the cars are running very close times. There a a few cars that are lucky to make it across the finish line and bring up the back of the pack of racers.
Here is some ideas.
See if you are running on the same type of track. If not, you might have to make some adjustments to the car.
Did your Scout's car wobble when it was racing at Pack? If so, we got some alignment work to do.
Are you running a straight runner or a rail rider?
Make sure the interface between the axle shaft and axle head are really smooth and polished if you removed the "step" that is put into the outer hub of the wheel.
Spin the wheels on one axle while you hold the axle in your hand. Put the smoothest running wheels on the back.
Put car back together, run car down a slight incline. Do the rear axles move out to the axle heads? If not, there is plenty of information in the forum or just ask us more questions!
Thanks!
Murph
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Post by xxbowhunterx on Jan 25, 2012 15:33:16 GMT -6
Yes I have the car aligned. I will check the allignment before the districts. It is a rail rider.The car drifts about 5 inches over 8 ft . I did polish the wheels and axles and put the best wheels on the back. I guess my question is : Is it better to repolish removing the graphite and polish out any imperfections left from the pack derby and start fresh graphite? Or Leave the graphite that is already worked in from the pack derby and just add more for districts?
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Post by 5KidsRacing on Jan 25, 2012 17:58:56 GMT -6
I would leave the axles in and re-graphite before the race. I think you need more drift in my opinion... at least 9" in 8ft. You are going to have alot more cars closer to you at districts and that can cause problems and wiggles. I would probably add some drift.
What do you think Murph?
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tkp
Pine Head
Posts: 65
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Post by tkp on Jan 25, 2012 23:52:59 GMT -6
My humble opinion- if the car has never been beat- I wouldn't mess with it. (meaning removing wheels- more drift- good idea)
If its a differnet set up track, thats one thing, if not and he hasn't been beat- I would simply lube up and take on the challenge. I have seen many car builders get themselves in this predicament and later only to regret snafu's they ran into.
Lastly, was the car damaged- if no, then stick to same approach, re-lube and re-fire. (again- drift may be a great recommendation that doesn't force you to remove wheels etc)
TKP
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Post by xxbowhunterx on Jan 28, 2012 16:08:53 GMT -6
Yes. It will be a different track setup. In the pack PWD, it was a short wooden track. In the districts it will be alluminium and 2 sections longer.
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tkp
Pine Head
Posts: 65
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Post by tkp on Jan 29, 2012 16:48:41 GMT -6
Then perhaps tweek drift.
The 2nd topic may now be- due to longer track should/can you adjust CM.
For longer track we typically go with about 5/8 to 3/4 CM.
(Other opinions are of course welcome, but net is- longer track, slightly less aggressive CM) We have found this helps produce a very stable car for the long stretch.
What is current CM?
If it's too much work to adjust, you may just want to leave it as is.
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Post by Murph on Jan 29, 2012 22:42:55 GMT -6
I agree with you guys! Add more drift as per 5K's suggestion.
Murph
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