Steering Rack Ball Joints.

[Mando]

Has anyone used or does anyone know if your allowed to use Spherical Joints to connect the steering rack arms to the front uprights? The ball joints I have are making contact with the inner rim, so I thought spherical joints might solve another of my little problems. I seem to remember Aussie Mike used this method but I couldnt find any pics in his gallery, maybe Im mistaken.

Regards.

[Aussie Mike]

You thinking about this setup Mando?



The car was engineered with this setup and passed OK.

I used VP commodore rack ends which are thicker than the VL and VN ends. The screw straight into the end of the rack as they use the same ball joint on the end. The thread they use for the tie rod end is 16mm fine rather than 14mm for the VL VN ends. I shortened them and ran the thread futher along.

I then machined up some sleeves that have a 16mm fine thread in one end and a 5/8 UNF Left hand thread in the other end. Most of the readily available good quality rod ends are in imperial sizes so it was easer to go 5/8 Left hand.

The tapered hole in the arm I drilled out to 5/8" and ran a High tensile bolt through. There are a couple of conical shaped washers I machined up to ensure the rod end has full range of movement. If I did it again I'd probably buy the high angularity rod ends.

To adjust the toe you just loosen off the 2 lock nuts and rotate the sleeve. One of the things I like about it is for 1 turn of the sleeve you get double the movement. It means you can set it up so you have a big wange of adjustment whilst maintaining maximum thread engagement.

With this setup you dont need to drop the rack. moving the rod ends to the tops of the arms gets rid of a lot of the "droop steer" as Ian calls it. I've still got to do some proper measurements to prove it though.

It also solves the problem of the ball joint on the end of the rack getting pushed beyond it's max angle at full droop.

Cheers

[Mando]

Hi Mike, thats the picture I was looking for. This might seem like a stupid question but what would happen if the new spherical joint had a female end on it. Wouldnt it screw straight into the steering rack arm?

Regards.

[Aussie Mike]

Hi Mando,

You can use a female rod end and screw it straight on. However the problem you are going to have is finding a good quality female rod end with a 16mm thread.

I've been using QA1 XM series rod ends in my car. They are strong (Chrome Molly) teflon and kevlar lined. They also have the lining injection molded into the rod end which makes it difficult for the dust and dirt to get into them.

QA1 don't list metric in that series but they do state they metric rod ends available. It'll be a special order and won't be an over the counter item here in Aus.

Aurora or one of the other quality brands may have something. Don't buy one of the nasty brass lined rod ends from off the rack at CBC bearings.

Cheers

[Mando]

Thanks Mike, its all clear now!

Regards.

[WKB]

Hi Mando,
Try Linear Bearings for your the rod ends. They supply quality rod ends in metric, they call them "Race Car Series"
They have an office in Sth Aust.

http://www.linearbearings.com.au/

[Mando]

Thanks for the tip WKB. They carry the quality ones Mike described and are great to deal with

Regards.

[Aussie Mike]

Great link WKB, thanks for that.

I've been keen on the idea of building a CNC plasma table one day. Those guys have a bunch of usefull stuff for that project.

Cheers

[macloft]

Mike Do you ever turn the light out at night.
bruce

[Aussie Mike]

I am a bit of a night owl. I seem to get by OK on 6 hours of sleep.

Cheers