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Stub Axle Adjustments

Adjustable Caster and Camber

Problem - The rear of the kart slides / OVERSTEERS on turn entry.

Solution

If you have caster/camber eccentrics installed, DECREASE the caster setting.

Problem - There is too much front end grip on turn-in.

Solution

If you have caster/camber eccentrics installed, DECREASE the caster setting.

Problem - There is UNDERSTEER all the way through the turn.

Solution

If there are caster/camber eccentrics installed, INCREASE the caster setting.

Caster Settings

The Top Kart chassis come standard with optional top 1.5° eccentric pills in the chassis for front end caster/camber adjustment. Below are some illustrations of the standard settings, and adjustable settings for the eccectric pills and also the reasons for adjusting each way.

Caster In (Standard)

Top Kart USA - Positive Caster

When to use this setting?

  • This setting is the standard of which you should reset your Top Kart front end to before each event.

  • Caster IN allows for more grip and a increased initial steering response in the front-end of the kart on turn-in. When kart is understeering (Pushing).

  • Caster IN allows to increase weight distribution creating a greater torsion effect when the chassis is stuck to the track in REAR (not lifting a tire) or lying flat through the corner.

  • Caster IN is also ALWAYS beneficial to run in the wet to help the front end and the kart to “Jack” weight in apex of the turn.

Neutral Caster

Top Kart USA - Neutral Caster

When to use this setting?

  • This setting is most commonly used for low horsepower engines such as Yamaha and/or when the grip level on track surface is relatively high.

  • This setting will Increase the initial steering response, as well as more evenly distributing weight across both rear tires allowing the chassis to feel less “STUCK” to the track surface.

Caster Out

Top Kart USA - Negative Caster

When to use this setting?

  • This setting is most commonly used for extremely high grip on track surfaces. This meaning when the track has a thick coat of built up rubber on its surface.

  • This setting will decrease the amount of transfer of weight to the rear wheels allowing a very minimum torsion effect to the chassis.
  • Caster OUT will help when chassis is physically hard to steer.

  • This setting is best used if your chassis is OVERSTEERING (loose) in the rear.

  • Caster OUT will be beneficial if your chassis is hopping in the corners.

  • This setting is ideal for situations if you are experiencing a high level of wheel lift on the inside rear tire.

Tech Tip

In order to determine which direction you need to adjust the caster setting on your kart, the driver must have a good feel for the handling of the chassis.
If needed to add even more caster or take more away than the maximum amount, you may add the eccentric pill in the bottom side of the spindle to get more of the result you are looking for.

Camber Settings

Neutral Camber (Standard)

Top Kart USA - Neutral Camber

When to use this setting?

  • Baseline setting for when you arrive to a race track.

Negative Camber

Top Kart USA - Negative Camber

When to use this setting?

  • Increase NEGATIVE camber if track temperature or grip level is increasing and chassis is slow on corner exit.

  • Typical setting for running a lower HP class such as Yamaha or Briggs LO206.

  • Increase NEGATIVE camber if there is too much overall front grip.

  • Sidewall of tire rolling under.

  • Front end hopping.

Positive Camber

Top Kart USA - Positive Camber

When to use this setting?

  • Increasing POSITIVE camber setting is beneficial when running a higher HP engine such as TAG or Shifter.

  • Increase POSITIVE camber if you are feeling the chassis UNDERSTEER (pushing) on corner entry.

  • Increasing POSITIVE camber will help on low grip track conditions.

  • Setting may help when tires are wearing down.

Tech Tip

To measure camber, you first will need a tool. The most popular tool used in the karting community is the Sniper V2 Laser Alighment System.
While your camber adjustment is important, it should be considered a fine-tuning adjustment. A quck camber check between sessions can help in detecting a possible issue. A large difference in from one side to the other may indicate that your spindle bolt is bent, eccentric pills aren’t turned symmetrically, or even the frame could be bent. All of the above will drastically effect the performance.
Learning the chassis is all about trial and error. Don’t hesitate to use the chassis resources to figure out what setup works best for the driver.
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