Why do Go Karts not have diffs?

Virdi

Virdi

Virdi

Soldato
Joined
11 Jun 2004
Posts
4,222
Location
Middlesex, London
Hi all,

Sorry - Might be a silly question - But I just wondering why Go Karts don't have Differentials?

Thanks
 
because they have such small wheels close together there would be very little difference in the speed they spin from one side to another mid corner.... so the extra weight and complexity is not worth it (my physics is crap but it's a guess)

karts tend to skid about sideways in corners anyway, you'd prolly not even notice
 
Flukester said:
because they have such small wheels close together there would be very little difference in the speed they spin from one side to another mid corner
Click to expand...

Small wheels actually increase the speed difference between the two wheels on an axle when taking a corner (in terms of absolute speed difference rather than a percentage or ratio).

They have no diff because the rules say you can't. The lack of a diff really defines a karts handling characteristics, and is also partly responsible for their heavy steering.
 
With no suspension you will probably have a lot of traction issues when one wheel lights up. Chaine drive is far simpler with a solid rear axle too.
 
I believe the chassis, at least of the decent karts, are designed to 'twist' slightly so that during a corner the inside rear wheel is lifted up, which helps cornering with the lack of a diff (which is probably as mentioned earlier, either rules, weight or both :p)
 
you tripod anyhow to get round the corner, as has been said, a diff wouldn't make up for the increased weight and loss of acceleration out of the corner.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;12706733 said:
When I were a lad and all this were nowt but fields, that's what it was called, so that's what I still call it.
Click to expand...
Lets go go karting shall we. Go go go go go go go!

Yes, I know it was originally called 'go karting' but that sounds gay, so 'karting' is much better :P
 
Pardon?

Solid axle with a big cog doesnt get more simple.
I know chain drive can be done with a diff. Ive made a Triumph Daytona 600cc chain drive a manual adjustable locking diff off a kawasaki quad bike work on a single seater racing car all held within a carbon diff box and rear end.

To be quite blunt and verging on rude the fact you have brought up a prop shaft whilst talking about go-karts suggests you dont really know what you're on about.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
Pardon?

Solid axle with a big cog doesnt get more simple.
I know chain drive can be done with a diff. Ive made a Triumph Daytona 600cc chain drive a manual adjustable locking diff off a kawasaki quad bike work on a single seater racing car all held within a carbon diff box and rear end.

To be quite blunt and verging on rude the fact you have brought up a prop shaft whilst talking about go-karts suggests you dont really know what you're on about.
Click to expand...

You said it's hard to do a diff on a chain drive, this is wrong.

It's easier to do a diff with a chain drive than it is with a prop shaft. I'm not saying a go cart has a prop shaft, I'm trying to express how wrong you are to say it's hard to do a diff with chain drive.

Yes, a solid axle is more simple than a diff, but that wasn't your point, you were trying to say they don't put diffs on because it's hard to do with a chain drive, which it isn't.

Okies?
 
BigglesPiP said:
You said it's hard to do a diff on a chain drive, this is wrong.
Click to expand...

Did I?

Where?

You would'nt want a diff on a kart, and its simpler without one anyway. Thats all I said, you got all exciting replying to a comment than didnt exist in the first place with your selective quoting.

Im not really sure where you're going with this, probably as far as a chain drive 4x4 vehicle would?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom