Steering rack and bloody engines!
Discussion
Afternoon all, I was wondering if you could clarify something for me.
I'm building a kit car (Dutton Melos). Normally you'd have a pinto or something in there, I'm putting a 2L "Twinky" engine from a sierra in there.
I have a small problem though, the steering "shaft" (Proper name?) goes straight through an engine mount! Being that both are made of metal this does make steering quite difficult. What's the best way of sorting this out?
I rekon you cut the "shaft" in half and put two UJ's on it thus making a nice bend. Is this the proper way of doing it? Does it need to be supported, if so is attaching anything to the engine mount a good idea (I'd guess probably not).
Also, I was looking in a Suzuki alto the other day and in the foot well there was a little bit of metal (about 5 inches long) with a UJ on each end. Essentially what I'm looking for. It was very thin though (the uj's were so tiny ^_^). I'm looking for one for an escort mk1 rack, anyone know of somewhere where I can steal some appropriately sized joints?
Thanks!
I'm building a kit car (Dutton Melos). Normally you'd have a pinto or something in there, I'm putting a 2L "Twinky" engine from a sierra in there.
I have a small problem though, the steering "shaft" (Proper name?) goes straight through an engine mount! Being that both are made of metal this does make steering quite difficult. What's the best way of sorting this out?
I rekon you cut the "shaft" in half and put two UJ's on it thus making a nice bend. Is this the proper way of doing it? Does it need to be supported, if so is attaching anything to the engine mount a good idea (I'd guess probably not).
Also, I was looking in a Suzuki alto the other day and in the foot well there was a little bit of metal (about 5 inches long) with a UJ on each end. Essentially what I'm looking for. It was very thin though (the uj's were so tiny ^_^). I'm looking for one for an escort mk1 rack, anyone know of somewhere where I can steal some appropriately sized joints?
Thanks!
As you say, adding an intermediate steering shaft with a U/J at each end is one possible best solution.
Yes, such a shaft would need supporting in the middle using some sort of bush (Rose joint would do). You could attach this to a bracket welded to the chassis support for the engine mounting. Don't even consider attaching it the bit bolted to the engine if that's what you were thinking.
You can get suitable U/Js from places like Car Builder Solutions.
Alternative would be to leave steering as is and fabricate new engine mounting if there's room.
Yes, such a shaft would need supporting in the middle using some sort of bush (Rose joint would do). You could attach this to a bracket welded to the chassis support for the engine mounting. Don't even consider attaching it the bit bolted to the engine if that's what you were thinking.
You can get suitable U/Js from places like Car Builder Solutions.
Alternative would be to leave steering as is and fabricate new engine mounting if there's room.
Just to throw a different idea in to the pot is it not possible to modify the engine mount.
Just thinking that a lot of engine mounts have steering columns running through them.
If the mount isn't meaty enough to cut a slot/hole out of then is it possible to remount it? It is a kit car so there probably is room.
I'm just thinking it is a lot easier than cutting the column, then splining the cut ends to take U/Js.
Just thinking that a lot of engine mounts have steering columns running through them.
If the mount isn't meaty enough to cut a slot/hole out of then is it possible to remount it? It is a kit car so there probably is room.
I'm just thinking it is a lot easier than cutting the column, then splining the cut ends to take U/Js.
If it was my car I would fabricate a new engine mount allowing the steering shaft to pass through it (assuming the shaft also clears the oil filter).
If you put more uj`s in the column you will need a intermediate support which is more complication. I also prefer minimal uj`s in my steering as it gives more precise steering and is less to go wrong. If your brakes fail at least you can pick which tree to hit, if your steering goes........ etc etc.
If you put more uj`s in the column you will need a intermediate support which is more complication. I also prefer minimal uj`s in my steering as it gives more precise steering and is less to go wrong. If your brakes fail at least you can pick which tree to hit, if your steering goes........ etc etc.
From that pic I'd definitely say go the special engine mounting bracket route because modifying the steering column looks a complete no-no.
Can't really see well enough to say for certain, but looks like you might be able to fabricate new mounting bracket from 5 or 6mm steel plate that will run under steering column and still enable you to have a stiffening web towards the rear.
Can't really see well enough to say for certain, but looks like you might be able to fabricate new mounting bracket from 5 or 6mm steel plate that will run under steering column and still enable you to have a stiffening web towards the rear.
Yes you should be able to fabricate something up, maybe out of angle iron and plate to make an L shaped section make it of nice thick plate and the angle iron and thick plate should stop it from flexing.
Or can you cut the welds and move the actual chassis mounting points about 2-3mm lower? if you do both sides provided the front crossmember will clear then that is probably the easiest and neatest way to do it. should take a day at most.
Or is it possible to mount steering rack higher?
Or can you cut the welds and move the actual chassis mounting points about 2-3mm lower? if you do both sides provided the front crossmember will clear then that is probably the easiest and neatest way to do it. should take a day at most.
Or is it possible to mount steering rack higher?
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