trf 501x 12 degree caster blocks
 

I have a TRF501Xwe and im not 100% satisfied with the steering compared to my B44 who is faster and more aggressive, Im thinking about buying Tamiya's 12 degree alu caster blocks instead of the standard 10 degree's. Have anyone any experience with the 12 degree blocks and will this help my steering problem?

I haven't tried the twelve-degree blocks, but have you considered adding some toe-out? That's a very easy way of increasing steering response.




Julius.

What servo are you running?

im using a sanwa erg-wrx servo

12 deg steering blocks will give you more high speed steering, less low speed. The answer to getting more steering from a 501X is playing around with roll centre and ackerman.

Ackerman - get the alloy steering parts, and use the inside hole on the bellcrank - this reduces the steering angle difference between the wheels, and gives you more steering.

Roll centre: pitch the roll centre down toward the front of the car, this will make the car go into corners nose down, increasing steering.

And dont use the stock servo saver, use a tighter one, or non at all.

Before any of the above...

1. What surface?
2. Running a one-way?
3. Does the car over or understeer?

Then we can answer... :)

Im running on a small tight dirt track with 25% astro

running the 501xwe with big 37tpulley

and the car seems to understeer

If you are using the ball diff in the front then it will tend to understeer, try using a one way diff or a one way centre pulley, personally I prefer the one way diff;)

Hmm... I'm not sure that the additional caster will actually help, indeed I think it may exacerbate your problem... I'd actually adjust the camber first (increase it) and perhaps add a little toe in. If the track is relatively smooth these changes shouldn't effect straight line stability too much.

Adding caster will "push" the car into corners a little more, if you car's already understeering on deceleration (before the apex) then additional caster can make this worse (however this depends on whether it's pitch, roll or lack of mechanical grip that's causing the initial understeer).

Since it's a small, tight track and you're understeering you could also try a front one-way. Before I did this however I'd try and move the roll centre forward a bit by stiffening the rear end... if you like that "feel" then you might like the one-way.

If you think lateral movement or roll is making the car slide wide before the apex then try a sway bars (heavy front, light rear - don't use one without the other).

If it's only understeering on power after the apex then start with the mechanical grip side... tyres and suspension.

And remember... one change at a time so you know what's going on.

Just ordered the alu steering parts for my 501xwe so will try to play around with ackerman also ordered the 12d blocks. Im going to try a 3racing alu servo saver for Tamiya to:)

Dont use a one way in my other 4wd's so dont think it will help for me

I have 1mm steering spacer, adding/removing spacers what will this do?