Picture of steering shaft to rack ??
 

Evening..been hunting through some build diarys for a pic of what you have done with the steering column to rack setup ...picked up my nice refurbed rack today and it looks a hell of a close to U2 ...does anybody have a good pic or can link me to one...many thanks

I,ve posted up pics of the extension to the steering column to the rack, quite a while ago mind, i,ve got some pics I could email to you if you wish?

Yes it does run close to "U2", thats the reason that i,ve "stepped" my extension as it goes down from the bulkhead down to the rack.

I,ll have a look thru my past posts & see if I can find the thread with the photos in.......gulp :eek: i,ve got alot of posts to look thru :D

cheers
andy

Cheers andy have PM'd you my email add...thanks

PM replied to ,

cheers
andy

I,ve found a couple of pics from my photobucket account so thought i,d post them on this thread, hope the pics help.







You might be able to see how I,ve "stepped" the extension from the bulkhead down to the "group 4" coupling that attaches to the rack.

cheers
andy

i have got a 19mm single piece shaft on mine as i didnt fancy a cut and shut job for the exact reason you mention.

Ash has gone about it slightly different from me ,

I used the available materials I had to hand to complete the job, this is just the way I did it, tho its not the "only" way ;) .

But, i would like to say that by using a Group 4 coupling at the rack end & making use of the original part that has the original rubber coupling,( which i cut in half & placed up the top near CP16), allows me to remove the extension quite easily by unbolting just 2 bolts without the need to unbolt the group 4 coupling from the rack.

We all have our "own take" on how to achieve the task :)

cheers
andy

jeeesus that looks bloody close !!! i will order a grp4 Joint and take a few pics..i had a thought that the engine mount would be easier to re fabricate if it gets in the way of the steering shaft...so i would do the shaft first...possibly a good call !!

The photos are a little deceiving, there is quite alot of clearance as the shaft passes the engine mount & "U2".
Tho , yes it was well worth it fabricating a new engine mount rather than use the original Ford item.

cheers
andy

It does go Andy, tis just very tight. Also make sure you weld the extension piece in nice and straight so that it doesn't turn eccentrically and hit the upright.

Andrew

I was unhappy with the clearance against the front upright, even after maching it on the lathe, due to deflection of the shaft. I re-manufactured mine today with an additional group 4 coupling and escort splined shaft. All I need to do now is secure a rose joints to support the shaft. (Note: I used the XR4x4 steering shaft the the top coupling is larger than usual. This is a slightly more expensive option, but I think it will be worth it. (Larger photos availible on my Flicker build Diary) It may be possible to adjust the rack mounting slightly to gain an additional 1 mm.

Looking at your setup it seems that the Sierra column coupling (RD850) is not needed at all. You just need the group4 coupling (RD820F) and the steering shaft (RD849).
In the case someone use the RD850 too, this will make a 3xUJ's setup. Is that right?

I think the best example i have seen on here is janne's build, his build is awesome and the photos are clear. Have a look at it, seem to remember he put in another joint its a really neat job.

Thanks, that was an incredible build but i think that his steering column has one quite large angle which i suppose will make the steering not so smooth.
IMO, HandyAndy's setup is much better.

I could be wrong but I seem to remember that an angle in the steering shaft is desirable for IVA as a safety feature in case of head on collision.

By the sounds of it I've made mine like Spikehaus with an extra Group 4 coupling, making 3 uj's and then a bearing support lower down off the chassis. Theres over an inch of clearance from the upright but there is a large angle on the column now, but it makes no difference to steering effort or smoothness.

Have you noticed any reduced steering self-centering?

A bit off subject but what size bolts go through the universal group 4 coupling. I have tried M8 but the seem too large for the groove on the column extension. Should I be using imperial sized bolts?

(I think i referring to a pinch bolt)

M8 is working for me. It does require exact alignment with the centre of the groove of the splined shaft and it's a tight fit.