Need advice with front end

cyclebender

What I have is a custom built side-by-side (golf cart) using a few parts from a wreaked ATV, including the engine The vehicle runs great; it just doesn’t handle very well. Front end very squirrely, starts to wobble at speeds over 25 mph. I used the a-arms and spindles from the wreaked ATV, and mounted a pair of Honda 250 hubs with rotors. Fabricated a set of brackets to mount the calipers. First mistake I made was using 10” wheels, as they don’t have enough clearance to clear the calipers. Had to add a pair of wheel spacers to make it work. The wheels I purchased had a set of Hoosier dirt track tires mounted. Purchased wheels and tires because they were cheap. (Second mistake) Have tried different setting on the shocks (from soft to firm) with no change. Have tried a little toe-in also with no change. The rack and pinion box is brand new. Installed new wheel bearing. Everything is very tight on the front end. I guess the next thing I should try is different tires, but before I make that investment, I thought I would ask around to see if anyone has had experience with these tires or could offer suggestions. I’ve read many of the post here, and I can see you have a lot of very knowledgeable members. Thanks to all for your help and/or advice.

BGW

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DOOmsman

my guess is its a caster problem but it could be any number of things,
maybe park next to an atv and compare the steering action as you cycle
both left and right?

crash12888

I would lean toward caster issues also, what degree of negative caster did you build into it?
You should be about 7 degrees for it to track effortlessly and help return to straight after a turn.

cyclebender

Thanks for your info. Did not build in any caster, just installed the A-arms similar to the way they were in the original ATV. The original ATV used a single A-arm

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	golf cart 003.jpg (187.7 KB, 31 views)
	golf cart 001.jpg (190.1 KB, 32 views)

crash12888

You need to put some neg caster in it then.

cyclebender

Thanks for the input. A lot of work required, weld in new brackets for the control arms, redone the shock tower. Think I'll try a new and diffenert set of tires first. Thanks again.

Unforgiven

heat and twist,....you only need to go 10 deg. I think on one of the sponser sites they have a steering stabelizer.

cyclebender

Thats sounds easy, just need some more heat and a stronger arm. Thought about a stablizer, found one on Ebay for $35.00 new. May give that a try. Thanks for your input.

crash12888

I have to ask, why would you ask for advice on a subject you have little knowledge on and then disregard it?
You can replace the tires again, install a steering stabilizer, chrome wheels, new steering wheel.
At the end of the day when all the store bought stuff is installed, your basic steering geometry is still wrong so let us know how it turns out.
Do some reading on steering geometry, caster, camber. Akermans principle.