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phone: 1-800-854-3140 | 1-503-304-8899 fax: 1-800-366-7505 | 1-503-304-1899
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TOE - IN:
Toe is the pointing in or pointing out of the front wheels as viewed from the top of the kart. If the front wheels point in
(toward the front of the kart) at the front edge of the wheels, then you have toe-in. If the front wheels point out at the
front edge, then you have toe-out.
In general, dune buggies and race cars are set with a small amount of toe-out. The toe-out provides directional stability.
Toe-out pulls on the tie rods taking out the tiny clearances that are built into the tie rod ends. Depending on the type of
car, typical toe readings are 1/16” to 1/4” out for tracks under 1/2 mile in length. J&J go-karts are set with 1/4” toe -in to
provide self-centering stability for the general public.
Toe can be set with a tape measure on the side walls of the tires. A tape is placed on the inside front of the tire, as near to
the rim as possible, (as close to center horizontal as possible) and then measured in the same location on the front edge
of the other front tire. Remember to measure from the same locations each time you check the toe. Now check the rear
side of the front tires as close to the center rear of the tires, as possible. If this number is a smaller tape reading on the
back edge, this indicates toe-out.
NOTE:
The system can be held stable for this procedure on J&J go-karts by clamping the steering shaft to the steering column.
For a very precise reading, you can scribe a line in each front tire. Use a tire scribe and spin each of the front tires to get
your straight line. You can then measure between the two scribed lines with a tape measure, or with a toe bar or toe
plates; again a smaller measurement at the backside of the tire, indicates toe out.
TOE - IN
Toe-in is the di
ff
erence in distance between the front and rear axle measurements of
the tires on the same axle in the center of the tread surface at spindle height, where
the front measurement is less than the rear. Toe-out is the opposite.
TOP VIEW
OVERVIEW-TOE
