JATO 3.3 • 31
BASIC TUNING ADJUSTMENTS
Static Camber Adjustment
The wheels can be set to have either positive
or negative camber (see illustrations right). The
camber angle changes as the wheel moves up and
down through its range of travel. Static camber is
the camber angle at the wheel when the vehicle is
set at its normal, stationary ride height.
Static camber is adjusted by turnbuckle equipped
camber links, front and rear. Lengthen the camber
links with the supplied turnbuckle wrench to
increase camber (positive camber). Shorten the
camber links to decrease camber (negative camber).
Static Camber: Base Factory Settings
Front:
1-degree negative camber each side
Rear:
1-degree negative camber each side
Adjusting the Swaybars
If your conditions require more roll
resistance then shorten the length
of the attachment to increase the
stiffness of the swaybar.
If the vehicle is suffering from
oversteer or understeer you can
adjust the front and rear swaybars
separately to cure the handling
problem. Stiffen the front swaybar
or soften the rear swaybar to cure
oversteer. Soften the front swaybar
or stiffen the rear swaybar to cure
understeer.
Securing the sway bar links closer
to the fulcrum (pivot point) of the
bar will provide a firmer setting
(for smoother surfaces). (1a and 1b)
Securing the links further away from
the fulcrum will soften the effect of
the sway bar (for rougher surfaces).
(2a and 2b)
When to Use the Thick (Black) vs. the Thin (Silver) Bar
The stock white swaybars should be adequate for most situations.
When driving on very smooth surfaces (like fresh pavement or
smooth “blue-groove” off road tracks), the black (stiffest) bars are
recommended. When driving on loose low-traction surfaces, the silver
(softest) bars are recommended. The silver bars will upset the chassis
less when driving over bumps.
For very rough and/or broken surfaces where you may experience
different bumps on the left and the right side of the vehicle, you may
not want to use the swaybars at all. The use of the swaybars in these
conditions may toss the vehicle around too much, making it difficult
to control.
STEERING SYSTEM
Jato has a very sophisticated bellcrank steering system with geometry
that is designed to completely eliminate bump steer. Bump steer occurs
when the steering angle of the front wheels changes as the suspension
moves up and down through its range of travel. Suspensions that have
bump steer make it difficult to drive in a straight line over bumpy terrain.
Jato tracks true no matter how rough the course gets. An adjustable
integrated servo saver protects the servo gears and still permits precise
feel and tight steering response.
Adjusting the Servo Saver
The servo saver can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the nut
above the servo saver spring. Tightening the spring will reduce the servo
saver action and provide more solid steering, especially in extremely
rough environments. However, as the servo saver spring is tightened,
protection for the servo gears is reduced. Consider tightening the servo
saver spring when using more powerful aftermarket steering servos, or
servos that have metal gears.
Steering System Linkage
Precise installation and adjustment of the steering linkage is necessary
to maintain the proper factory geometry in the steering system. If you
change the steering servo or disassemble the steering linkage please
follow these instructions carefully.
Properly positioning the servo horn onto the servo shaft and carefully
setting the linkage length is required to maintain the correct steering
throw. Use the following procedure.
1. With new or freshly charged batteries installed, turn on the transmitter
power switch followed by the receiver power switch.
Positive camber
Negative camber
1a
FRONT
1b
REAR
2a
FRONT
2b
REAR
SOFTER
FIRMER
For caster and roll center
tuning see
Advanced Tuning
Adjustments
on page 36.
All of the toe links are
installed on the truck so the
left hand thread indicators
point to the same direction.
This makes it easier to
remember which way to
turn the wrench to increase
or decrease toe link length
(the direction is same at all
four corners). Note that the
groove in the hex indicates
the side of the toe link with
the left-hand threads.
Left Hand Thread
Indicator
Left Hand Thread
Indicator
Front of Truck
Front of Truck
Left Front
Right Front
A camber gauge (available
at your local hobby shop)
can be a useful tool for
alignment setting.
