The wiggles

GravityX

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Pro Racer
Feb 25, 2012
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Tornado Alley
The car we ran last night had a case of the wiggles in the last 10 feet of track before the finish line. Does anyone have any ideas what could have caused this anomaly? Car ran great up to that point, no wiggles or side to side movement, then in the last 10 foot of track it developed the wiggles. I didn't see any of the other cars do this in the same section of track, in 3 different lanes. We ran 2 cars and both performed the same way. We won, but that wiggling scrubbed off some speed and time.

Track was wood and we also have to use graphite (messy stuff). Running DD4H axle and wheels with 4" of drift over 4 foot. I'm just not sure what to do to take out the wiggle. I guess if we are in front far enough it really doesn't make a difference if the other cars don't catch up. Thanks for the help in advance.
 
GX - I have no answer for your question but wanted to say congratulations on winning the race... I know someone here will be able to help you trouble shoot the issues with your cars.... Again Congrats !!!!

Vdutel
 
Well... wiggles or not the car took first place in the City event.

The tail was wagging like nobodies business, just glad we had a decent lead. Do you think the COM is too close to the rear? We were right at 1/2" COM.
 
You might post a new thread asking if anyone in your area has a track you could use to tune the car or you could have DD4H look at the car. It would be pretty easy to advise you on how to get rid of the wiggles. However it might slow the car down. In particular if you go to far in the adjustments.

In genreal relaxing the COM and /or increasing steer will help the wiggles. But it could also be the gap on the rears. When you have a track with timer you can confirm that the both the wiggles go away and the time improves.
 
Rear wheel spacing was at approx. .020" as measured by a feeler gauge. I thought it was tight enough, but maybe not.

What is a good known spacing? This is a washer-less setup and using graphite as a lubricant.
 
DerbyDad4Hire said:
Edge your weight a little more forward and move it to the dominant side of the car.

I'll give that a try. I had read that somewhere previously, but it totally slipped my mind. Thanks!