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Post by Sssnake on Dec 3, 2004 16:08:28 GMT -6
As I mentioned in another thread try to run a few test runs at least, to break in your lube. Also if your car isn't performing well, try running it backwards. Sometimes, amazingly enough, a car performs better in reverse. This could be due to alignment or weight placement, but the day of the race when you're about to weigh in, isn't the time to address a major alignment problem.
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GILLS
Pine Head
Posts: 49
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Post by GILLS on Dec 3, 2004 19:35:11 GMT -6
If you don't have access to a track to test on, sweep up an area about a brooms width and about 8 to 12 feet long. Make sure your garage floor is a smooth hard troweled finish and not a rough broom finish. Next, set your car on the floor and give it a light, hopefully straight push. If it rolls straight for a minimum of 8' you are in good shape. If you veer right or left than you have an allignment problem. Al so notice the dirt pickup on the wheels, be sure to wipe them off.
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Post by RacerX on Dec 9, 2004 10:32:47 GMT -6
When a car is in it's straightest alignment and at it's lowest point of friction it will roll straight forward and backwards. Sometimes a car will roll straight forward because a wheel is toed or cambered and is correcting a flaw, it is then identified when the car is rolled in reverse.
A good novice tip: Good Parts = Good alignment and low friction.
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Post by Sssnake on Dec 14, 2004 23:58:40 GMT -6
When I do alignment tests I use a length of aluminum gutter I have left over from the house. I realize not everybody has a gutter laying around but you can make a test ramp out of any straight piece of lumber that is long and straight enough. I used to use a sanded 1 x 12 with a black magic marker line down the center and staging marks drawn on either side.
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Post by TheKingOdysseus on Jan 23, 2007 12:48:36 GMT -6
Question, we have the BestTrack track, does wobble on the track mean that the car is out of align or could it be too much weight to the rear? The car in my avatar has a small amount of wobble and balances about an inch in front of the rear axles. All the weights are internal, so there are no clearance issues.
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Post by Old Salem Racing on Jan 23, 2007 12:55:33 GMT -6
King, I noticed you are from North LA, what part? I live in South LA.
Brad
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Post by builderjim on Jan 23, 2007 13:09:11 GMT -6
Question, we have the BestTrack track, does wobble on the track mean that the car is out of align or could it be too much weight to the rear? The car in my avatar has a small amount of wobble and balances about an inch in front of the rear axles. All the weights are internal, so there are no clearance issues. It could be a number of things although I doubt that it is a weight issue. I would not only check alignment but check out the wheels/axles to make sure that there is not a problem there. Without seeing the car run, it is going to be hard to see where the exact problem could be coming from. Was the car running smooth through the transition of the curve of did it have the "wobble" before the curve? Did the "Wobble" occur at the middle of the track only? at the end of the track only? or all the way through the flats? Is the "Wobble" a side to side motion of the rear wheels only or does the car bounce back and forth against the rail of the track? Does the car, when run on a slight incline, have an up and down motion to it at all? If you could describe the "Wobble" more clearly someone might be able to locate more possibilities as to the problem. Jim
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Post by Welsh Racing on Jan 23, 2007 18:45:55 GMT -6
Brad, The King and I (isn't that a movie or something) are from Cullman, AL. Its halfway between Birmingham and Huntsville. What about you?
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Post by TheKingOdysseus on Jan 26, 2007 2:50:38 GMT -6
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, Brad working nights kinda puts a damper on answering alot during the week. Jim it was mostly towards the end of the track, and it was a side to side type of "wobble". I'm gonna say that it is probably the wheels that are allowing this to happen, I think that my car would have been faster without this, because it pulls really well towards the end of the track. I'm gonna build the next one after we order our new "toys" I want to get the alignment just right on the next car and hopefully solve that problem this time. I will get back with you after I get the new car up and running, ...Paul.....
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Post by ngc89 on Mar 25, 2007 18:58:45 GMT -6
BSA sells a Practice Track for about $10. It comes in 5 2 foot sections. I found this very useful when testing Pinewood Derby Cars for my Cub Scout Den. You can get it at scoutstuff.org or at your local Scout Store.
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