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How to Adjust Pinewood Derby Car Wheels

The Boy Scouts routinely hold Pinewood Derby races. These races encourage young scouts to carve and design a car made from a pinewood block. Kits are available, and the rules state that no car in the competition may weigh over 5 oz. The kits come with a set of four plastic wheels and axles. Getting the wheels adjusted properly and level to the car is crucial to the success of the pinewood car.

Things You'll Need

Plywood scrap
Ruler
Graphite lubricant
Small power drill with extra small drill bits.

Instructions

- 1
  Set the carved and finished pinewood derby car on a flat surface. Set the four wheels and push-pin axles next to the car.
- 2
  Set the ruler next to the four wheel-points on the car; place the two front wheels near the hood, and the two rear wheels at the back of the carved car. Place the ruler next to the side of the front, left-hand side of the car. Measure up to where you wish to push the axle into the car. Measure the same distance from the ground on all four wheels. The wheels must be at an equal height, allowing the car to move straight.
- 3
  Drill small pinholes into the wheels; squirt the inside of the wheels with the graphite lubricant. Use the center hole of the inside of the wheels to drill the holes. Adding the graphite gives extra glide with no added weight.
- 4
  Push the axle pins into the wheels from the outside of the wheel. Make certain the sharp end sticks out from the inner side of the wheel. Push the wheel axles into the car at the marked and measured points.
- 5
  Set the Pinewood Derby car on the flat plywood. Push down on the car to determine if there is any wobble or if one of the wheels is off the ground. If so, pull that wheel out, and then push it back in at the measured distance.

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