Thread: Steering geometry issue
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08-23-2008 07:23 AM #11
Wait!! Before you spend money on another steering box, take some measurements on what you have. You can use virtually any steering box and it will not make any difference if the proportion (ratio) of the arms is too far off...
On my roadster I measured the steering arm (on the left front spindle) and the Pittman arm. The steering arm (stock arm on the Econoline axle), from the center of the king pin to the center of the drag link bolt hole, is 4 1/2 inches. The Pittman arm I am using is 7 inches from the center of the steering box shaft to the center of the draglink bolt hole. That makes the ratio between them of 1.555 to 1. My steering is 3 turns lock-to-lock. This is a very light car, but that's still a little quick.
On my coupe, which is cross-steered, I am using a 1962 Jeep axle and a mid-80's Toyota 4WD steering box. In that application I am using the stock Jeep steering arms on the spindles, the stock Toyota Pittman arm on the box, and a Speedway Motors "piggyback" tie rod end to connect the drag link to the tie rod. The steering arm is 6 5/8 inches and the Pittman arm is 5 inches for a ratio of 1.325 to 1. This gives the steering 4 1/2 turns lock-to-lock. The coupe is heavier than the roadster and has more weight on the front wheels, so it needs the slower ratio.
When I make the new steering arm for the roadster, I will lengthen it slightly and I will also make it come up a little higher to take some of the rise out of the drag link...
I hope some of this helps; I know steering setups can be baffling sometimes. If we weren't so far apart, I'd drop by and try to help out...Jim
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