Ackermann or the Ackermann effect is a property of a car's suspension that causes the car's toe angle to change as the wheels are turned to each side.
In most RC cars, the Ackermann angle is positive which means the inside wheel in the turn has a larger steering angle than the outer wheel when they are turned. Drivers sometimes use zero Ackermann, which keeps the wheels parallel through all steering angles, but this is rare, usually used only in drift racing.
Your car's Ackermann can be adjusted by moving the inside or outside of the steering link either forward or back.
Depending on the car, you would do this by:
- Using a different hole for the ball stud either on the rack (inside end of the link) or the steering arm (outside end of the link)
- Changing the number of spacers at the rack (inside of the link). This only applies when the ball stud is aligned horizontally - if it is vertical, the spacers control bump steer.
More positive Ackermann (links straighter, more perpendicular to chassis)
- More off-power steering
- Smoother steering feel
- More toe-out when wheels are turned
Less positive Ackermann (links more angled, usually moving inside of links forward or outside of links back)
- More on-power steering
- Twitchier, harder to drive
- Less toe-out when wheels are turned
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