Collapsable steering column

[oilerfish]

Hi from Norway

Have optioned my FIA with ERA's steering column with quick release hub and wondering if anyone has any experience adding a collapsible section to the steering system. Norwegian DMV are asking that the system be collapsible in some fashion. Spoke to Peter and he confirmed that the ERA column is not collapsible.

Looking at the few pictures I can find of the ERA steering system it appears that the intermediate shaft is at a fairly steep angle in relation to the steering rack thus making it collapsible would be moot?

Any thoughts appreciated

[strictlypersonl]

The column actually is designed to collapse, albeit with 1970's technology. The upper column mates with the shaft that extends (from the front) through the footbox support. A clamp holds the two parts together and, if the force is enough, will allow the parts to slide together. Probably not fancy enough for today, however.
Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with what is currently available to do the job.

borgeson.com may have something, but their site is not working for me right now.

Here's a listing on Summit Racing. The bottom connection (to a Mustang II input) is easy. The upper might require some machining and/or welding.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...rder=Ascending

[t walgamuth]

I believe a collapsible section is provided between the wheel and firewall on many cars. Perhaps a collapsible section can be adapted into the shaft.

[patrickt]

Most of us around here are ready to collapse anyway. I think that should be sufficient.

[oilerfish]

Thanks for the clarification, I'm going to build the car under the premise that its good as is and fix it if the DMV don't accept the design upon inspection (Before the motor is in).

[oilerfish]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Most of us around here are ready to collapse anyway. I think that should be sufficient.

Ha, yes, ill use that argument if it comes to that, better to be rid of me than have the state pay my pension...

[oilerfish]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

The column actually is designed to collapse, albeit with 1970's technology. The upper column mates with the shaft that extends (from the front) through the footbox support. A clamp holds the two parts together and, if the force is enough, will allow the parts to slide together. Probably not fancy enough for today, however.
Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with what is currently available to do the job.

borgeson.com may have something, but their site is not working for me right now.

Here's a listing on Summit Racing. The bottom connection (to a Mustang II input) is easy. The upper might require some machining and/or welding.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...rder=Ascending

Thanks for the clarification, ill try and get it through without doing anything and fix if necessary with a collapsible intermediate shaft.

[DanEC]

I wonder if they take into account the amount of steering wheel dish? The Classic Cobra steering wheel is pretty flat and that may be as much an issue to them as the column design. You might want to consider a custom wheel with more dish designed into the spokes, although column in/out adjustment and the dash face doesn’t allow a lot of adjustment to get a deep dish wheel in. Hopefully they will take into account the complete shoulder harness which if adjusted properly, would keep you out of the column in a crash - but may not help a lot if a severe front end crash shoves the column rearward. I worry more about keeping my forehead and brain pan out of the windshield header and sun visor hardware than anything else - thus I always have my shoulder straps on. I did change mine out to 3” straps.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I worry more about keeping my forehead and brain pan out of the windshield header and sun visor hardware than anything else.

Naaah, if we had any brains at all we wouldn't be buying these stupid cars.

[oilerfish]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I wonder if they take into account the amount of steering wheel dish? The Classic Cobra steering wheel is pretty flat and that may be as much an issue to them as the column design. You might want to consider a custom wheel with more dish designed into the spokes, although column in/out adjustment and the dash face doesn’t allow a lot of adjustment to get a deep dish wheel in. Hopefully they will take into account the complete shoulder harness which if adjusted properly, would keep you out of the column in a crash - but may not help a lot if a severe front end crash shoves the column rearward. I worry more about keeping my forehead and brain pan out of the windshield header and sun visor hardware than anything else - thus I always have my shoulder straps on. I did change mine out to 3” straps.

I don't think they care about the steering wheel, just that the system has some sort of collapsability (Is that a word..?) to it. I'm going to install the stuff that comes from ERA and argue my case with DMV if they react. The ERA column does collapse and DMV have not specified any standard.

[DanEC]

Probably true but deeper dish steering wheels did come into vogue in the 50s as a safety feature prior to collapsible columns in 1967, as the dished spokes allowed some springiness and collapse in the wheel upon impact and positioned the column itself a little further from the chest to slightly reduce impalement/trauma, etc. That may all be lost today on inspectors who were not even born then.