Steering Question (1 Viewer)

[srgould41]

I am still researching for my build that will start this fall. One thing I have been wanting to do is a Saginaw power steering conversion as well as a 3 or 4 link front. However, the more I read about steering design issues, bump steer, etc, the more I wonder if there is a better way. I don't want full hydro as I need it to be streetable enough to get to and from the trails, but hydro assist is interesting to me. Still...

Then last night I was thinking about the full hydro setups I have seen and thought, "how come I can't locate the steering box right on the axle?"

So what about the idea of a power assisted rack-and-pinion steering box bolted to the front axle? I mean aside from the issues of the steering linkage which shouldn't be all that hard to overcome.

Comments? Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[John Smith]

I am still researching for my build that will start this fall. One thing I have been wanting to do is a Saginaw power steering conversion as well as a 3 or 4 link front. However, the more I read about steering design issues, bump steer, etc, the more I wonder if there is a better way. I don't want full hydro as I need it to be streetable enough to get to and from the trails, but hydro assist is interesting to me. Still...

Then last night I was thinking about the full hydro setups I have seen and thought, "how come I can't locate the steering box right on the axle?"

So what about the idea of a power assisted rack-and-pinion steering box bolted to the front axle? I mean aside from the issues of the steering linkage which shouldn't be all that hard to overcome.

Comments? Thoughts? Ideas?

Either figure out the steering with links like everyone else or run full hyro. Rack and pinion is crazy talk.

 

[srgould41]

My wife will side with the "crazy" part...

I just wanted to start a debate to hash out ideas...

Either figure out the steering with links like everyone else or run full hyro. Rack and pinion is crazy talk.

 

[Mace]

depends on how much travel you are talking about. If you have 16" of travel the steering linkage would potentially need to be VERY long to accomidate the travel. Not insurmontable, but it certianly would be easier to just make the panhard bar and the draglink the same length and mostly parallel..

besides, packaging would be a PITA. Even more so if you wanted to do hydro assist..

 

[srgould41]

I am considering around 16"... Hydro assist would be a must I think. I am currently thinking of tires between 37 and 39". Nothing too killer, but at least "planning" for hydro assist is a factor.

depends on how much travel you are talking about. If you have 16" of travel the steering linkage would potentially need to be VERY long to accomidate the travel. Not insurmontable, but it certianly would be easier to just make the panhard bar and the draglink the same length and mostly parallel..

besides, packaging would be a PITA. Even more so if you wanted to do hydro assist..