Steering column for rack and pinion

[brads59]

Hi guys, i have a Hr front end with LH Torana rack and pinion for my V6 conversion but just wondering what steering column to use.
I guess Rod Hadfield would have something off the shelf.
Can anybody shed some light on this?
Cheers.......BRAD......
MERRY XMAS

[gree]

yes, hadfield does have a shortened column off the shelf. i have one in my garage along with all the other rack and pinion stuff i will install one day down the track.....

i have heard from different members though that they are unhappy wih their steering, as they say it reduces the turning circle.... but i don't know that for sure though, it's just what i hear...

[FC-V8]

Brad
    First check your rego requirments in your state to see if you are required to have a collapsible column.
Glenn

[Ed]

are you going for the front or rear mounted rack?

I used a UC column shortened at the top, and lengthened at the bottom to obtain a better steering rod angle.

I experimented with a few columns before I was happy, easy to modify any column really, so long as it measures up ok.

You could weld a collapsible section in your stock column, but a collapsible shaft will also have to be used, otherwise that would negate the point of the exercise.

A collapsible column may or may not be suited to a stocky steering wheel as its probably not recommended to modify the actual shaft itself.

Ed

[brads59]

Hi again guys,
                      Ed,i have the front mounted rack on my front end.I have been told that the rear mounted rack is better,but im not sure why.Could you tell me the differance.CHEERS ....BRAD

[sgo]

I would have thought that whether you go front or rear mounted rack would depend on where your sump sits, to gain max. clearance?? Though a front mounted rack should give you a more favourable angle for the uni at the column.
One thing I've found is that a stack of holden steering columns use the same size sliding join for the collapsable shaft so you can mix and match the two halves to suit the bottom spline to the uni/intermediate shaft being used and the top half to suit the rest of the column.

[brads59]

Thanks SGO

[FC-V8]

Brad
     In my wagon i have modified a HK monaro collapsable column to fit. I'm also using a front mounted LH rack & pinion, i could have fitted either LH,LX or UC column but i wanted to retain the ignition on the dash thats why i went with the HK MONARO COLUMN.
Glenn

[JB]

Hi guys,

I have used the steering column out of the Vt as for my application it gives me a colapsable column as well as the ignition and wiring harnesses for blinkers, wipers and cruise control. So it depends on what you actually have planned for the car with regards to the accessories. As Ed said that there is a lot of choice for the columns that can be fitted.
I also have the front mounted rack and have heard at a later date that they are outdated and don't work as good as what we all have been told when we purchased them.
For now I'm going to suck it and see and hopefully in the near furture there will be another better way of doing it.... More research required.

Cheers
Jason.  

[Ed]

Brad,

the shape of the HR crossmember (curved) is the reason for the problem in turning circle.  there was a discussion about this a long long time ago (perhaps try search function).

I used a LH rack because of sump clearance, as sgo mentioned.  I used torana column because I wanted the keys and switch gear on the column (opposite to FC V8) .

Others use all commodore bits, because its easier to source an entire donor car, and its functional. (like jason and sgo, and others), and in retrospect, my job would have been alot easier with one good donor car.


good luck with the project, I've sought the advice of many here and it always gets me one step closer.

Cheers

Ed

[brads59]

Thanks guys,
                   Might go with the monaro column as Glenn
has,i would also like to retain the ignition switch on the dash.
Cheers and Merry xmas.......BRAD

[sgo]

Re front or rear mounted racks, here is a comment taken from another site_
A couple of years ago automotive engineer Ted Robinette, the technical writer for Australian Street Rodding magazine, wrote that front mounted racks on HRs are a compromise. He said you can't get the steering geometry perfect.
My next door neighbour fitted a 351 Cleveland to his EH. He used a CRS front rack and I could see what Ted was talking about. The problem was it is not possible to get the Ackerman principle correct so the toe out on turns is out.
Lines drawn from the lower ball joints through the tie rod ends should meet in the centre of the diff in order to get steering on turns correct. Front mounted steering systems have the tie rod end mounted outside the lower ball joint for this reason. On the HQ for example if you draw a line from the tie rod ends through the lower ball joints you will see it goes towards the diff. centre.
On a HR you can't do this. CRS supplies bent steering arms to take the tie rod ends out but you can't bend them out far enough because the wheel gets in the way, hence the compromise.
This does not affect the car in a straight line but it does on corners.
I think the racks CRS uses are also shortened to get the inner ball joints on the rack pivoting on the line extended through the upper and lower inner bushes to prevent bump steer. I think this shortening also has a detrimental effect on the turning circle.
This system is not ideal but it does a reasonable job and is necessary because that is about the only way you can get a V8 into a HR.

[ekmad]

I read that you put an LH rack on your FC.
I am thinking of doing the same on mine - front mount for V8.  Are you happy with the turning circle and steering effort required?  Does it need power steer?

thanks

ekmad