Can anyone tell me what kind of steering system they use on very long cars where the driver is far from the front wheels and using a very long steering column is inappropriate ???
like that used in a dragster or in Jay Leno's Blastolene...
Speed shops (the kind that actually sell race parts) will sell you u-joints, tubing, slightly oversized heim joints, and quick disconnect steering wheel mounts to set up a steering system.
Why is using a very long steering column inappropriate?
You might have an extra U-joint or two in there to deal with the long horizontal run from the rack and pinion, though.
--scott
When you have to use binoculars to see your front wheels when parallel parking, that's too long to be appropriate.
--scott
just think of a long dragster using the steering system of your regular car (rack and pinion).
in a sedan, from the rack and pinion, the steering column connects straight to the steering wheel.
in a dragster that would be difficult since the distance between the steering wheel and the rack and pinion is too far. And so I guess a steering system similar to that of Jay Leno's Blastolene might be more appropriate.
There was a right angle gear set, like a worm and pinion, aft of the firewall. At the end of the shaft parallel to front axle there was an arm (pittman arm) that made a link rod (drag rod) move fore and aft. There was an arm from the left hand spindle that converted this fore and aft movement of the drag link to a rotation around the left kingpin. Two arms coming rearward from the spindle were connected with the tie rod to give steering to the right spindle.
Franklin automobiles used a very good high quality box for that right angle gearing aft of the firewall, and many people building their own race cars used the Franklin gear.
Okay thanks. I think I get your point.
Is there any name for this kind of steering system?
========= =========
I can tell you....... They use a homemade steering system using parts from where ever they can buy them, or makeing parts if they have to.
mm
I was watching Junkyard Wars this morning.The two teams built two dragster cars.One of the cars had a motorcycle engine in the rear just in front of the rear wheels.The other car had a V8 engine up front.It looked to me like they used some long pipes for the steering wheel shafts to the front wheels, U joints used where necessary, of course. The car with the motorcycle engine in the rear won. cuhulin
Perhaps not even in a typical sedan. Many vehicles steering shafts have a few u-joints between the wheel and rack. Not so much for length, but layout in tight quarters.
Besides, how do you think tilt steering wheels work?
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.