Rare-Earth Steering Magnet - Page 2

actofgod · #16 11-20-2002, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by miniwrx
4 bits...... 4 rare earth magnets.

The QFM mod instructions call for 2 magnets per bit since they're half the size of the ceramic. Is this true of the Radio Shack magnets also? Perhaps that would help with centering.

Dratheus, I believe 24AWG refers to the antenna wire mod.. possibly "24 antenna wire guage" or something.

Blue Bit · #17 11-20-2002, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by miniwrx

Also, I found that it fixed a steering problem I had. My bit would make a very sharp turn to the right. When I turned it to the left, my bit made a very gradual and wide turn. The rare earth magnet corrected that.
mini

Ihave this same problem with my automodelista booster, I checked the magnet but it was centered. I'll try this earth mags

Dratheus · #18 11-21-2002, 12:59 AM

actofgod:
Yes, the Rad Shack rare-earth mags. are exactly the same diameter, but half the height. They come two per package. I don't think it helps to much with centering due to the fact that they would both shift in the clamp together. The magnetism of the r-e mags. is so strong, they lifted my ceramic magnet AND the entire plastic bar almost 6in. off of the table!!! I'm lucky as hell I didn't lose the spring!!!

jaws · #19 11-21-2002, 12:06 PM

so are the magnets from radio shack ok to use can you tell me if they will work... thanks

miniwrx · #20 11-21-2002, 02:24 PM

I got all mine for Radio shack....$1.13 each.

I know the rare earth magnets fixed my steering because my stock magnets were centered perfectly. In fact i had to use needlenose pliers to break the glue!

Believe me or not. All I know is that my car turns better than ever now.

jaws · #21 11-21-2002, 02:32 PM

THANKS FOR THE HELP... IM GOING TO GO BUY ONE TODAY...

actofgod · #22 11-21-2002, 06:03 PM

Just finished the mod.

Difficulty: medium-easy. If you've done the spring mod and already have experience taking apart the front steering, it's cake. The trickiest part is getting the steering back together.

Results: Cornering is crisper, especially back-and-forth slalom-type cornering. My turning radius seems more balanced from left to right. I checked my old magnet before removing it and it was firmly glued in the exact center, but my microsizer always turned sharper to one side than the other; it is nearly exactly even now. I didn't bother to glue the new magnets in since they are pretty snug. Cheap and easy mod.. try it especially if you have steering problems.

Tips: To align the magnet polarity correctly, just touch the new magnets to the old one while the old one is still in the steering bracket. Flip them over until they attract and stick together. Now pull the new ones away and set them carefully on their edge (far away from anything metal) facing the same direction as they were when the were sticking. After removing the old magnet put the new ones in facing that same direction. If your steering ends up reversed, you messed up.. flip the magnets to fix.

Ordering: http://www.questformadness.com/ has them, if you're ordering something from them already. Otherwise, you can find these at Radioshack, part #64-1895 1/8" Rare Earth Magnets, Pkg. of 2. These are most likely identical to the QFM magnets since the Gauss is the same.

R|cer >< · #23 11-21-2002, 06:11 PM

So most of you guys have already made this mod to a few of your cars? Was the install difficult?

EDIT: Thanks, actofgod. I must have just submitted my questions as you submitted your install guide.

Guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow!

jaws · #24 11-21-2002, 07:19 PM

my steering still turns sharp on one side and the other turns wide and i put in the new earth magnet can someone help...

R|cer >< · #25 11-22-2002, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by actofgod

Tips: To align the magnet polarity correctly, just touch the new magnets to the old one while the old one is still in the steering bracket. Flip them over until they attract and stick together. Now pull the new ones away and set them carefully on their edge (far away from anything metal) facing the same direction as they were when the were sticking. After removing the old magnet put the new ones in facing that same direction. If your steering ends up reversed, you messed up.. flip the magnets to fix.

Did you try that? If so, is your car free from metallic particle? 1 small particle will do it. If your car is clean, check to make sure your axle pins in the front are pushed in enough. Sometimes my car will turn wide on one side after I change out the rims... just press the pins in and make sure the tires/rims spin freely.

If all of that checks out and still doesn't help matters-
Sounds like you already have your trim on the car maxed out to one direction. If so, this will also make your car do donuts in one direction and turn WAY wide in the other. This indicates that your magnet is not centered. Did you center-up your trim before placing the new magnet?

Could be alot of things.

Keep us updated.

miniwrx · #26 11-22-2002, 09:34 AM

Jaws,

What kind of stabilizer do you have in? If you have a red one in, go back to the stock stab bar. See if that helps. One of the corners could be pushing down on the axel a bit

mini

actofgod · #27 11-22-2002, 12:29 PM

Yes, the stabilizer can have an effect on steering. Also if you've done the suspension spring mod, the springs have to both match up with each other to even out the steering, plus not be too long or you'll end up doing donuts. I had to adjust the springs on one side several times until it was right. The flat side of the spring should face up or it'll stick.

I should note that my car goes straight and turns evenly only with the steering trim tab all the way to the left (when looking straight at the bottom of the car). There are several factors that could be affecting your turning: magnet centering, trim tab, front suspension, tires (one side worn or dirty). Make sure all tires are completely on the wheel ridge (look from all sides), and also check all axles for debris and tiny hairs. Use a needle to get the really tiny stuff away from the axle. Keep messing trying things one at a time and see what helps. If it is still not turning evenly, you may have bent your tiny steering spring or reinstalled it incorrectly. Some problems can be corrected by *gently* bending the steering spring one way or the other.

See the springs, turns, and turns topic for more on that.

Someone suggested that some steering differences might be unavoidable, due to the fact that the motor gear is on one side and not the other. Don't go for perfection, just try to get close enough

Blue Bit · #28 11-22-2002, 01:12 PM

also.. I had the same problem, my bit has a wide left turn. I adjusted the "toe-in angle" in the right wheel.
That seemed to work for me with the combination of the steering trim adjustment.

jaws · #29 11-22-2002, 03:08 PM

can you give me more detail... sounds like it will work but need more detail thanks...

jaws · #30 11-22-2002, 04:24 PM

what is the steering trim adjustment