givemethebighammer
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| posted on 11/7/06 at 03:55 PM |
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Weld in UJ's for steering column
Anyone know where I can buy weld in UJ's for my steering column to rack ? My current setup has developed some play so I have decided to redesign
it to use just two UJ's rather than the three it currently has. I intend to use the top of a sierra downlink welded into some tube with another
UJ at the bottom connecting it to the cortina rack, it is this lower UJ I need.
thanks
[Edited on 11/7/06 by givemethebighammer]
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Peteff
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| posted on 11/7/06 at 04:37 PM |
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Robin Hood used to do them. Still do here
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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jamesbond007ltk
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| posted on 11/7/06 at 04:37 PM |
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Car builder's solutions do one:
http://www.nfauto.co.uk/steering_link.htm
You'll have to check the spline size though as there are a number of sizes. Unless you weld it on to your existing parts.
Rich
This may be better actually:
http://www.nfauto.co.uk/steering_uj.htm
[Edited on 11/7/06 by jamesbond007ltk]
Or this:
http://www.nfauto.co.uk/uni_joint.htm
[Edited on 11/7/06 by jamesbond007ltk]
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Bob C
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| posted on 11/7/06 at 05:40 PM |
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I bought one of the nfauto things & never used it - I think it was 40 notes (400mm extension + UJ) - go on, make me an offer.........
Bob
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givemethebighammer
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| posted on 11/7/06 at 09:06 PM |
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Thanks people, I've been doing some searching as well and found these people
http://www.southwalesprops.com/steering_couplings.htm#FORD
I think if I buy one of these
CSC
SSC
SWP359
SWP360
I should be able to cut it in half and weld a piece of tube in to extend it. So I guess the next question is what sort of tube (wall thickness, grade
etc).
Also how much difference does the rubber bush in the UJ make ? I don't have one now and I can't say I get vibration throught the steering
wheel.
I'm going to call the people above in the morning, they should know what will fit as regards to splines etc.
Thanks for the offer Bob but it is not really what I want.
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jamesbond007ltk
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| posted on 12/7/06 at 05:42 AM |
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South Wales Props
I know this place, they are very popular for doing propshaft balancing. Planning on getting my prop balanced here, one day.
The only thing i have found with the rubber bushes (ssc & csc) is that you have to be very careful not to have it running at much of an angle. I
was told by a police mechanic that they have a tendancy to wear out pretty quick if used at more than a few degrees.
Also they act as another joint in the steering system so if you have another two UJ's the whole thing flops about all over the place, unless you
rose joint it. But i guess thats what you have with your current three joint system?
The type where the bush is mounted within a tube, like some peugeots and ford use to use, don't have this problem. Although the bottom of the
shaft ends up being rather bulky. And we don't have much space do we?
Not sure if the bush is really needed. Many that i have seen don't have it and have no reported vibration problems
Rich
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Peteff
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| posted on 12/7/06 at 09:22 AM |
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Also how much difference does the rubber bush in the UJ make
It's not for vibration, it allows flex movement, is cheaper than roller bearings and doesn't need regular maintenance which is why
manufacturers use it. I found some black pipe at the steel supplier with a 3mm wall which was perfect for the Sierra down link to fit inside . It
knocked in with a hammer when the paint was removed and held tight while welding.
The Sierra non power steering spline is same as the Escort Mk2 rack so you may not need all the parts you are looking at, try to get hold of just a
Sierra link and see if it fits your rack spline.
[Edited on 12/7/06 by Peteff]
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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dozracing
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| posted on 12/7/06 at 06:06 PM |
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I think you'll find the cheapest place to buy this setup is Rally Design.
Worth giving Andy or Scott a call.
Darren
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ayoungman
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| posted on 13/7/06 at 12:15 PM |
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I made mine using a lower column from another Ford. Have a scrounge round a breakers and see what is there. Smart cars use a similar lower column with
UJ's.
This would be ideal. They are turning up in breakers now fairly often.
"just like that !"
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coozer
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| posted on 14/7/06 at 03:22 PM |
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I have a real problem with home welding on steering extensions.
At my place of work we make such things and we know from painful experience what happens when one of these welds lets go.
Lets just say the man driving his suzuki swift along the motoway made a full recovery from horrific injuries when the welded shaft on his steering let
go... at 70mph
These welds have to resist forces of 8KN minimum during testing and we use splined adapters that are pressed together interference like then welded to
gain the required strength. Any misalignment in the parts can lead to 'fretting' that gradually destroys the weld, that then lets go.
I'm writing this because of my exposure to the manufacturing of these parts and suggest some failsafe is used as well as welding when making
home steering extensions. Drill a hole through it and weld apin in for example.
It is the one area that can kill without warning: instance loss of control.
Please be aware!!
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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DarrenW
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| posted on 14/7/06 at 03:34 PM |
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I feel compelled to back steve up on this after being a steering system Project Manager at the very same place of work. OEM's and Tier 1
steering system suppliers spend hundreds of thousands on developing steering and have lots of specific kit for determining durability before serial
production approval is given. And even then the production systems are very carefully controlled to assure 100% compliance. This level of control
cannot be realised in a DIY environment.
I refrained from comment earlier as it is such common practice for us all to use untested steering modifications.I have seen steering parts fail that
have been modelled by very experienced steering system engineers before and do often worry about the integrity of general kit car creations.
Enough said but please please be careful out there.
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givemethebighammer
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| posted on 14/7/06 at 09:03 PM |
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thanks for the comments, I am intending welding a pin / bolt through the joints for addition strength. I completely understand what you are saying
about this particular component and I won't be cutting corners.
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