splitrivet
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 10:27 AM |
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Steering tube
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]
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andyd
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 11:05 AM |
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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.
Andy
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splitrivet
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 11:28 AM |
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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
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andyd
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 11:35 AM |
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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]
Andy
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James
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 01:42 PM |
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Hmmm, pity 'coz I thought a bit of 19mm tube would do!
Cheers,
James
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Peteff
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 02:08 PM |
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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.
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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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 05:11 PM |
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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
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paulf
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| posted on 24/7/03 at 09:39 PM |
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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.
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blueshift
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| posted on 25/7/03 at 01:50 PM |
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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.
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splitrivet
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| posted on 25/7/03 at 03:31 PM |
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Thanks for the input guys,I'll get it done this weekend
Cheers
Bob
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