carcentric
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| posted on 10/12/03 at 01:17 AM |
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Definition of vehicle track
I've always understood the term "track" to mean the distance between the centerline of one wheel rim (or tire, assuming
they're symmetrical tires) and the centerline of the other wheel rim on the same axle (measured at the axle to eliminate the effect of camber
and any toe in/out).
But, lo and behold, the Merriam Webster dictionary says, "(5a) the width of a wheeled vehicle from wheel to wheel and usually from the outside
of the rims."
With a pair of 6" wide rims, that measurement would be 6" greater than the way I measure track.
So here's a poll.
I'd also appreciate any authoratative URL's that endeavor to define term. Thanks,
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
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pbura
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| posted on 10/12/03 at 05:58 AM |
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SAE Vehicle Dynamics Glossary
6.3.,3 WHEEL TRACK (WHEEL TREAD) : The lateral distance between the center of tire contact of a pair of wheels. For vehicles with dual wheels, it is
the distance between the points centrally located between the centers of tire contact of the inner and outer wheels. (See S A E J693.)
There's an ISO Standard 612-1978 that defines track (term number 6.6, in fact), but I'll be hanged if I'll pay for it to find out
what it says!  Anybody got a copy?
Pete
[Edited on 10/12/03 by pbura]
Pete
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carcentric
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| posted on 10/12/03 at 06:07 AM |
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Take that, Merriam Webster!
Looks like I was closer than the dictionary, but not right about the effect of camber (the more camber a car has, the wider it's track - I
thought the car's track would not change as camber is increased).
Thanks for the reference, Pete!
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
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Spyderman
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| posted on 10/12/03 at 02:00 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by carcentric
Looks like I was closer than the dictionary, but not right about the effect of camber (the more camber a car has, the wider it's track - I
thought the car's track would not change as camber is increased).
Almost!
The more negative camber would increase track!
Terry
Spyderman
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carcentric
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| posted on 10/12/03 at 05:02 PM |
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Mm-hmm
That's what I was thinking (but didn't write). As a former competition driver, negative camber is "the only camber" (worth
having).
Which brings me to another curiosity, though. In old photos and paintings of 1930s and older race cars, it's obvious they have POSITIVE camber
on the front. Why did they do that? Was it for ease of steering or something?
M D "Doc" Nugent
http://www.carcentric.com
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Mix
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| posted on 11/12/03 at 09:49 AM |
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Nah!!
It's the metal flexy bit around the wheels of a tank or digger 
Mick
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