Steering column shaft length

[voucht]

Hello,
For a Sierra based Roadster, does anyone know how long the steering column shaft should be from the top coupling to the steering rack coupling when extended ? Rally Design sells a 380mm steering shaft, and I'm wondering if it will be OK instead of extending the shaft my self as explained in the book.
Thank you.
Sylvain

[K4KEV]

Hi Sylvain...I'm fairly sure that distance is a lot longer than 380mm or am I reading your post incorrectly
kev

[voucht]

Thanks Kev, I think you totally understood the question in spite of my approximate English :)
Do you or somebody else know where I could purchase the extended steering shaft ?
Thanks.
Sylvain

[K4KEV]

Your english is fine mate ....I have never heard of anyone buying a shaft, although some have bought THAT shaft from RD and extended it to fit back up to the steering column joint at the bulkhead.....this is one of the jobs I am due to do and I think the above is the way I will be going, but I'm sure some one will come on here and either say the same or explain how they did it.
kev

[alga]

Sylvain, here's mine. http://imgur.com/a/w1QR3

I can put it on and off without unbolting the upper part of the column by sliding up the triangular shaft before connecting the splines at the rack.

My extension is ~54cm long, and the shaft inserts into it by ~6 cm at each side. So the total length of extension needed is ~42 cm.

[voucht]

Thank you guys, and thanks to Alga for the pictures and specs. I guess I will have to make it myself. I'll check if I can use the donor car shaft when I get it (Sierra) before buying the one from RD.
Kev, could you keep me updated about the way you'll do it ?
Thank you.
Sylvain

[K4KEV]

no probs will do;)

[MikeB]

what wall thickness and internal radius have people used for their extensions?

[brainbug007]

I'm not sure what the internal radius of mine was but I'm fairly certain it was something like 25.4mm OD with a 3mm wall thickness.

[ozzy1]

Westfield uk do one which looks quite long although no specs are given and it does look like a normal splined shaft which has been extended with a piece of thick walled tube.Nice price also :eek:

Heres the link for the rich amongst you:D

http://retweeter.co.uk/magento/index.php/steering/new-lower-steering-column.html

[voucht]

Or car builder solution sells the extension tube by the inch.
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/Cold_Drawn_Seamless_Steel_Tube_CDS2064

[K4KEV]

Hi Sylvain....promised I would let you know how I did my steering shaft, well here you go
http://www.haynes.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=4493&page=16

[voucht]

Yes Kev, thank you : I'm following your build thread with a lot of attention, and I saw the pictures of the modified column. With Alga's informations, and the new thread from ashbudd7, I think I have a much better idea of how to do it. thank you very much for that.
Sylvain