[Stinkin_V8]

I think I understand the Ackerman principle, it has to do with the center of the front turning radius based on the location of the rear wheels... But what will this affect in the drivability of my vehicle? Tire wear? Poor cornering? Can this be corrected by an alignment shop?

[bullfoot]

ooyea stinkinv8 ya look like fine a upstanding young man.

okeydokey i tossed this around de stovebolt a while back http://bullfoot.bravepages.com/drdbf/t_byebf.jpg[/img]
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[ May 30, 2002: Message edited by: bullfoot ]</p>

[4 Jaw Chuck]

Ackerman designed into a steering system has the effect of balancing the car, this means the car will have the same amount of slip angle on both front tires if correctly set for the wheelbase. Increasing or decreasing Ackerman beyond the theoretical optimum will cause the front tires to lose grip more gradually because one tire will slip before the other due to the higher or lower slip angle induced by the effect. There is basically no advantage to changing the amount of Ackerman steering effect unless you want to make your car "push" more when at the limit of cornering traction. When you consider that a street tire can have slip angles close to 10 degrees and the Ackerman designed into the typical car is about 1/2 to 3/4 degrees at full steering lock the effect is minor and usually of no concern. Mind you if you start talking about super low profile racing tires with 20 series profiles it can cause excessive tire scrub in extreme conditions and will negatively affect cornering performance if not correct. Increasing or decreasing the Ackerman only changes which tire will lose traction first, due to tire loading this is almost always the inside tire and is why most designers design the effect to cause excessive slip angles on the inside tire so it loses traction first. This is a safety related function and promotes a car that loses traction gradually on the front instead of suddenly.

Does this answer your question?

[Stinkin_V8]

Hiya Bullfoot - it was your post on stovebolt that had me thinking about this. Good to see you over here, by the way.

4-Jaw, I think this answers my question.. Sounds like on a big ol' heavy truck with high-profile tires I really don't need to bother with the Ackerman. Right?

[4 Jaw Chuck]

Nothing to be concerned about. Unless you plan on racing Nascar or Formula 1!!! Ha Ha!!!

[reddwarf]

BULLFOOT!!! What's up? Long time no see. We miss you at Truckworld.

Gimmie a holler sometime!

[bullfoot]

hi guys we been busy tryin to get the drag race diesel dream back up up big job gettin a 18 thousand pound tractor down to 8500 pounds

SEEYA AT DE END OF DE OL 1320

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