cowl steering

[DougnDog]

Question about cowl steering, is a little bumpsteer that big a deal I know the purest will say it is. but in the real world is it? I have seen a lot of nice rod's that have broken the rule of haveing the wishbone end and pitman arm end on the same plane. never driven any rod like that I just don't know,my rod will have the pitman arm end 6" above and 12" behind the wishbone end. you guys who have cowl steering give me your thoughts the steering box is a f1. Thanks Doug

 

[donsrods]

You've said it well Doug, there is the perfect world and then there is the real world. In the real world we break all the "rules" sometimes and usually our rods turn out fine. It is almost impossible sometimes to get the draglink to perfectly intersect the radius rod and still get the look we want.

My T is close to intersecting that line, and my '27 is way off, yet both track fine and when I hit a pothole or bump both cars track straight. Ackermann is another thing that people talk about. My '23 has screwed up Ackermann because I had to put the tie rod out front. As a test, I moved it to the back (had to pull off my headlights for clearance), and the car handled just the same so I put it back up front again.

If you can keep your draglink sort of being in line with the radius rod you will probably be ok. As you mentioned, lots of cars out there running this setup.

To give you some perspective, here are how my two look.

Don

 

[Willowbilly3]

Doug, it's going to depend a lot on how much front suspension movement you have. If the springs don't deflect much then it won't be too noticable probably. I have seen some real nice rods that have broken all the rules on the steering and it kind of ruins the whole look. I would be more concerned with keeping everything parelell, the wishbones and drag link all parelell with each other and with the ground.

 

[rustywrench]

one other question about this type of steering. does the pitman arm need to point down? can it point straight up? i havnt driven this yet but it seems to work right.

 

[rustywrench]

 

[DougnDog]

THANKS GUYS Don what you said is what I was hopeing to hear. WB3 the way I'am setting it up the wishbone and drag link will be parelell with each other and the ground. I don't have much choice I have the dreaded hot roders problem not enought room in the cockpit: cluch,brake ,steering box, gas peddel, and my pipes go right under the floorboards Its going to be a challenge but it would not be any fun if it was easy! Rustywrench from what I have studyed it will work up side down just make sure it will travel in its full arc un restricted. Thanks Doug

 

[zzford]

I believe I'd be more concerned about the quality of the welds in the second picture.

 

[Unkl Ian]

one other question about this type of steering. does the pitman arm need to point down? can it point straight up? i havnt driven this yet but it seems to work right.

The Drag Link works by pushing and pulling.
Doesn't matter if the Pitman Arm is up or down,
As long as the front tires turn in the correct direction.

How many people have put cars together,
and then find out they steer backwards ?

 

[rustywrench]

thanks . i thought it worked good. zz...the frame is only mocked up at this time, as is everything on this build. the entire frame will be boxed and welded once i'm finished fabrication. as of now it is PLENTY strong for mock up purposes.