As I'm well on the way to sussing out my pedals now I'm ready to tackle the steering.What size/wall tube would be safe to use.
Any help would be appreciated.
Bob

[Edited on 24/7/03 by splitrivet]

Could you not use the steering column from an existing type approved car like a Sierra?

The column needs to be collapsible and this usually means a tube within a tube with a bush to stop it from moving unless impacted. The Sierra one is a hollow triangle shaped tube with a triangle shaped inner rod which has a nylon bush stopping it from slipping. In the event of impact the inner rod will slide up the tube hopefully enough to not punch the steering wheel/column through ones head!

As for the thickness it looks like about 2 - 3 mm for the tube but I'm not sure about the rod part as it's a closed shape.

Sorry Andy havent explained myself very well.
Im using a Capri steering column (longer than a Sierra I think) the collapsable bit is at the wheel end, and a Sierra u/j.
the tube i'm on about is between this and the steering rack.
Cheers
Bob

Oh I see the downlink bit.
On our car we are using an extended Sierra one which is solid bar. It's about 10mm diameter but I've not measured it. Unless you want to try and save some weight I'd use solid as it's less prone to collapse under a torsional load although there won't be that much twisting force when your moving, only when going slowly or turning the steering whilst stationary.

[Edited on 24/7/2003 by andyd]

Hmmm, pity 'coz I thought a bit of 19mm tube would do!

Cheers,

James

I think the Sierra link is 17mm. I extended mine a couple of months ago as I was too straight armed when driving. I found some 22mm tube in the shed which was just too small internally so I filed the link down to fit inside it and hammered it in before I welded round it. Worked out o.k.

yours, Pete.

I extended the power steering version of the lower link which is 15mm solid. It fits exactly into 19mmOD wishbone tube. (use the lower spline pinch clamp of a manual steer car).

The torsional strength is quite enough as it is only bicep power trying to twist it.

I drilled holes at the top and bottom of the extension tube and plug welded it and then put a fillet at the extremes of the extension tube, belt and braces I know but it adds that reassuring confidence factor.
Rescued attachment Column.JPG

I also used the 19mm wishbone tube and cut the ends at 45 degree angle . This gives a larger weld area and reduces the torsional stress on the weld, in theory if the weld did break the angle of the weld will still give some drive.
Paul.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mark Allanson
I extended the power steering version of the lower link which is 15mm solid. It fits exactly into 19mmOD wishbone tube. (use the lower spline pinch clamp of a manual steer car).

The torsional strength is quite enough as it is only bicep power trying to twist it.

I drilled holes at the top and bottom of the extension tube and plug welded it and then put a fillet at the extremes of the extension tube, belt and braces I know but it adds that reassuring confidence factor.

---

In one of my welding books it reccomends the best way to join a sleeved tube like that is to do a V-shaped cut into the outer one, so it goes up down up down as you do a revolution, then plug weld it as well.

not that I really know one way of the other, thought I'd chip in though.

Thanks for the input guys,I'll get it done this weekend
Cheers
Bob