Steering

[HandyAndy]

here,s mine fitted into the chassis.




you can just about see the group 4 coupling at the rack end, the upper end is as per Daves pictures.

[brainbug007]

Ok this is maybe where I've gone wrong then. The bendable bits are called univeral joints I think? Well I've got two of those in my setup where as yours seems to only have one? Mine kind of goes rack -> escort/sierra coupling from rd -> extension -> top coupling (both inputs are triangle shapped, this came off my donor) -> steering column/wheel. this crude picture may help..

[HandyAndy]

I have the group4 coupling at the rack end & the original Ford coupling at the bulkhead end ( but as with previously mentioned...the rubber coupling from the original Ford column where it used to attach to the rack removed & the triangular coupling part welded into my extension, as per this pic below)



hope this helps
cheers
andy

[brainbug007]

Ya I think so, it sounds like if I get a group 4 coupling and one of these http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product...ducts_id=11805 I could just re-make my extension as this splined steering column shaft would just go inside the extension to be welded up and it has a smaller outside diameter than the extension tube? (I used 25.4mm od I think). Then I guess all I need to do is get the rack back in the right position so that when the trackrods are connected to the hubs, the rack arms are level and let out an equal amount on both sides?

[HandyAndy]

yes,
well thats how I,ve done mine, but its NOT the only way to achieve the desired result .
there has been other builders using a different bearing carrier thru the bulkhead.... I think Ash G has some pics of how he did his in his build photos link.
Just an after thought......which steering rack extensions are you using ? if its the ones detailed in the book, they are wrong( too long ) & makes the wheels point left & right at same time .

cheers
andy

[brainbug007]

Oh great, I hope that's not part of my problem! I got them from saturn about 4-6 months ago? I'm not as worried about how it goes thru the bulkhead as that part seems to be ok. Slightly related though, is there an easy way to tell when the rack is 1/2 way between lock to lock (centered so to speak) as hopefully this will help tell if I've got it right?

[HandyAndy]

Originally Posted by brainbug007

Oh great, I hope that's not part of my problem! I got them from saturn about 4-6 months ago? I'm not as worried about how it goes thru the bulkhead as that part seems to be ok. Slightly related though, is there an easy way to tell when the rack is 1/2 way between lock to lock (centered so to speak) as hopefully this will help tell if I've got it right?

The rack extensions from Saturn will be correct

Depends on the rack you have 2.9 or 2.4 ( known as a quick rack ).....just turn the splined bit of the rack from lock to lock & count the number of turns required then go back half the number .

But its easy to re center if using a group 4 coupling as you can just undo it & adjust it on the splines on the rack/group4 coupling in relation to centering your steering wheel to the rack center point.

Hope it gets sorted for you.

cheers
andy