The Proper Way to Steer
 

I have a question about steering in general. I have heard that we aren't supposed to let go of the wheel when wanting to return the steering to neutral. Whenever I want to return the steering to neutral, I have always just let go of the wheel and let the natural recoil return my steering to neutral. Is this technically incorrect? How do the pros steer?

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

I think it depends on the situation. typically though, you don't let go of the wheel (or I don't) letting go causes a momentary lapse in the steering control.

I usually let go of the wheel when straightening on the straight away.

Not really something I've paid alot of attention to. I don't believe I take my hand off the wheel at anytime though.

Put your RC on a stand, turn the wheel all the way then let go. Watch the front wheels, they will likely shake back and forth a bit. The spring doesn't just turn the wheel back to center, in many cases it will overshoot and vibrate back and forth as it settles down. Not what you want entering the straightaway. Hold on to the wheel.

Letting go is bad. I've got a friend that I'm trying to get to break the habit. I guarantee no pro does this.

Think of your actual car, do you let go of the wheel after a turn? Don't even let the wheel slide back through your fingers.

Never let go of the wheel... I typically run on clockwise tracks, and trim the steering slightly to the left to ensure that I never get the urge to let go of the wheel.

Yeah letting go probably isn't the best technique. Also experiment with your steering throw settings.

I like to set mine so that the maximum throw is just enough to get around the tightest turn on the track.

You should always keep your fingers on the wheel and control the return rate (to neutral), or steering in the other direction past neutral. Grip the wheel so that you can turn left and right naturally, without having to re-adjust your grip. When you let go of the wheel, you lose all control. Watch the fast guys at your track, they drive like the pros drive, fingers always on the wheel, car always in full control.

I should add that if you're letting go of the steering wheel past a corner, you're not really driving the correct line. You "unwind" the steering as you apply the throttle coming out of the corner. Think of the two as connected by an invisible string... the string is always tight and can't stretch. So, you apply more throttle as you straighten out the wheel, in a smooth, combined motion. You can't do that if you let go of the wheel.

I never let go of the wheel. I think it's easier to get the car going straight but easing into it.

this has always been my reasoning for not letting go

Hardly the only reason thou, I agree with all the other reasons given as well. It's just something that came to mind to visually demonstrate one aspect. I've seen guys doing this, and then trying to figure out what was wrong with their equipment!

My friend and owner of the LHS said he sees broken controllers all the time due to the "Let go" technique. No reason not to believe him as he is a stand up guy!

Question.... A little off topic but still about steering... So I noticed my right turns aren't as sharp as my left turns... Could it be my driving and not timing the right hand turns correctly or could it be my servo is not centered exact so I'm getting more left than right? Any help or advice would be much appreciated thanks.

There is a lot that factors into equal feeling right and left steering.

1. Left and right throw needs to be the same. For the most part the left EPA and right EPA won't be equal to achieve that. A quick and dirty way to do this is to drive the car in a circle at full steering lock and make sure that the diameter of that circle is equal left and right.

2. Chassis balance. If the car isn't balanced left to right, there will be a different amount of weight transfer left and right, thus resulting in a different steering reaction and feel.

3. Shocks, ride height, tweak. This is somewhat related to the weight balance above to. If your car is tweaked, or if your ride height isn't equal left to right (and thus / or) your spring preloads are different enough left to right, or if your shocks aren't equally smooth/rebounding/damped left to right, the car will react differently.

Perfect!! Thanks so much for the great info!! I will for sure try/check all three items you listed... #2 method seems like a great starting point to see if they are actually off or if it's just my driving. Thanks again!! :)

Edit: I meant the #1 method seems like a great starting point. Thanks again

To add to Metalnut's solid points, I think the #1 slow left & right circles is more than quick and dirty, but rather an important final check after setting toe/camber/ride height. Repeat it occasionally to help detect damage/tweaks. Most all cars other than pan cars have some left/right steering imbalance in the linkage.

#2 & 3, on many cars you can lift the front of the RC, and then the back, from the center of the shock tower with a small driver or knife. Make sure each end has level ride height. Want to avoid any diagonal tweak, or what many ovals guys call wedge.

And general maintenance. Something like a bad hub bearing on one side can cause weird steering for example.