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2.2: A class of rock crawler using 2.2 inch wheels
1.9: A class of rock crawler using 1.9 inch wheels. (Normally scale)
Inner foam: The foam found in most rock crawlers tyres. It stops the tyre having a "flat" at the bottom of it and reduces wheel bounce. For driving on rocks soft foams are used so the tyre forms to the shape of the rock to give lots of grip.
Wheel bounce: If you are going up a steep slippery hill, your wheels might be turning fast, but the car will be going slowly. This makes the car "bounce". This in turn reduces traction. Inner foams (see above) can help reduce this.
Ackerman: A adjustable bellcrank steering system that uses two posts joined by a bar.
Articulation: An axles ability to move up and down, left to right.
My CR01 articulating
Flex shot: See picture above.
Beadlock: A type of wheel that has two rings bolted together (or to the wheel) to lock the tire in place.
A beadlock wheel.
The advantages of this are that you do not need any glue and you can reuse the wheel when you need new tires.
Center of gravity: The cars balance point. The higher this is the more likely you are to roll your car.
Camber: The angle of the wheels in relation to the ground.(viewed from front or back of car). Negative camber means the wheels lean towards each other. Positive is the opposite. Its best to have a slight negative camber.
Clocked: A word used to say a part (normally in the drivetrian) has been rotated to provide better alignment.
Constant velocity drive (CVD): A drive shaft with a ball type set up. This is used by most rock crawlers.
Dig: A drivetrian feature that allows the driver to send power to only the front or rear axle. Dig is used on tight turns to avoid a reverse penalty.
This is video will explain it better. http://uk.youtube.co...h?v=tFATOqTSAe8
Differential: Mostly locked in rock crawling. The diff allows the outside wheel to spin faster than the inside one, because the wheel on the outside of the turn has a longer distance to travel. Making the Turing circle smaller. However, while off roading it will send all the power to the two wheels with the least traction. And you will go nowhere.
Droop: A suspension type that is fully compressed when the car is not moving. The axle drops down into holes whilst rock crawling.
Gates: Two markers on a course mark where you have to go in a competition.
Ground cleance: The height the middle of the chassis is off the ground. The higher this is the more things you can go over. However it makes the center of gravity higher so the car will be more prone to rolling over.
Offset: As in wheel offset. A wheels mounting hex in relation to the wheels center line. Bigger offset = wider car.
Inner axle: Part of the drivetrian that carry's power to the wheels from the differential.
Swaybar: A thick wire that is run across the suspension arms. It keeps equal down pressure on the left and right while cornering. If your turn right the Swaybar pushes down on the left to keep the tire on the ground.
4WS. Stands for four wheel steering. Both the front and rear axles steer the car. This makes the turning circle smaller. It is a good compensation for having the diffs locked. It can also help to gain traction in very tricky spots.
Wheel axle: The part of the drivetrian the wheel is mounted on.
How to lock a diff: The diff on your rock crawler can be locked using a few methods. Some permanant, some not. Be sure to wash out all grease for all these methods.
Removable ways:
Blu tac. Stuff as much blu tac into the diff as you possibly can. (Will only work on lighter cars, like the Tamiya CC01)
Hot glue gun. Same as blu tac, put as much in as you can and seal the diff up before it drys. You can pick it off bit by bit should you want to remove it.
Permanent ways:
The type of putty you mix together and it drys solid.
And araldite. That will lock it up good!
Fell free to add some more below.
Nitro cars CANNOT crawl.
Hope it helps.
TiM!
Edited by TiM!, 16 March 2009 - 03:59 PM.
