SVA requirements for steering column
 

What are the SVA requirements for the steering column?

Reason being I was thinking of fabricating my own column arrangement rather than using donor parts. I know it's supposed to be 'collapsable' but what does that mean in terms of load etc. required to collapse? And how far?

Regards, Ian

This from the SVA manual

These pictures might help too







All in all I think it would be difficult to meet the requirements with a home made column, but nothing is impossible.

Cheers

Chris :)

Fig. 1 of the offset joints type was what I had in mind.

Is there a minimum angle or offset specified?

Thanks, Ian

It's a minimum of 10 degrees, and as the SVA manual says "it is unlikely that joints of this type will work at angles above 30 degrees"

So it's between 10 and 30 degrees.

cheers

Chris :)

One option might be to have the steering column as two tubes, one with an ID slightly greater than the OD of the other and drilling a hole through the pair and linking them with a shear pin of some kind. obviously you need to make sure it's not going to shear with steering forces! I've got an idea that would alleviate that problem but it starts making things too complicated. I think the above is essentially what's being done to the F750 car I work on, but we're buying it and I've yet to see it. We've also got a prop shaft at a hideous angle, probably over 30 degrees, and that's caused one failure so far! It'll also sap power and feel..

Daft Question
But why would you want to build your own column, ?

Depends on the build,What engine,Clearances etc.

You need to modify and change things to keep in the SVA regs but make it work for yourself and your build

Nope still don't get it

I'd be wary of the shear pin idea to be honest, you could design it for normal steering loads but then it might fail under additional load such as kerbing or large pot holes.

If you were to design it with these loads in mind then you run the risk of it not shearing in an accident.

It's feasable to design your own steering column but given the inconvenience and possible SVA pitfalls I think you're better using a production car item.

cheers

Chris :)