Front end calibration/alignment

[frpp2003d]

Ok well I'm new to the rc crowd and trying to tune my truck. I just had to replace both servos on my Summit that were bad out of box. Sitting that aside my alignment is off, idk if that was the case out of box or because I went to the local practice track and ran it fairly hard, this was on dirt. I will just hit the throttle and the truck slowly goes to the left with out my help, basically does one big left hand circle when it should go just forward. If I plan to use this truck which I do this is a issue I need to solve. Can anyone please tell me what to adjust? I'm assuming its something on the truck its self.

 

[Rolex]

First you need to check your turnbuckles to make sure your tires are tracking true. You eyeball them from all angles while making the mechanical adjustments with your servo centered. When that's done, drive the rig and make any small correction you need with the steering trim tab on the Transmitter.

 

[frpp2003d]

Thanks, yeah I talked to the shop I got the truck from. He showed me how to adjust them, I was doing the same already. Havent tested it yet but looks like it should be good. I saw on another forum that you can get a gauge to set it, are those any good? Just curious as this is my second truck and I plan to purchase more in the very near future.

 

[RC Addict]

Those gauges can be useful. They are primairly used for on-road racing but they would work for your Summit as well.

 

[Rolex]

Unless you're into some serious hard track racing, a gauge isn't necessary.

 

[Big Bill]

Rolex is right, you dont need a set-up station but it will make it easier to set-up your car. I raced mostly 1/12 scale cars and the condition your getting is probaly from the truck not tracking straight or the front end is not balanced,( less weight or spring pressure on one of the front tires). And then you could weight the truck on a digital four scale set-up pad. Oh scratch that, now I rember why I got out of on-road racing and into rock crawling. Seriously, get the truck on a flat surface and find the center of the front bumper and lift the truck slowly with an thin screw driver. Watch the tires, the lighter side will pull off the groud first. You should be able to adjust this with the pre-load adjusters on the shocks. Same thing goes for the rear.