20 replies to this topic

[Ro8bieg]

Hi, iv been thinking about doing this for a wile.
Could i use everything from my original steering column to do this with one of these?
http://www.huco.com/...?p=true&cat=191

Could I cut it about half way, weld this on and make a new bracket to support the column?
I think this would give a comfyer driving position?
Anyone any info or ideas?

Thanks, Robbie

[nicklouse]

interesting idea but seems to be a lot of work when the droplink works fine.

what are you trying to do? get a more vertical wheel that is not in you knees while you are not sat in the back?

[Ro8bieg]

More like the more modern cars so the wheel is more horrizontal

[ginigwunkle]

anyone know the diameter of the steering column?

been lookin at this too.....

lookin at the bored UJ's though, better fit....

[Ro8bieg]

Not 2 sure, i can check to moro because iv not got a steering wheel on atm

[ginigwunkle]

also do you use just one UJ as i was looking under the fiesta on friday and it has two joints which reduce the angle, this a better idea or would complicate things too much?

[1340 gt]

good luck with that!!

to get the benefite your after you will have to change the angle the rack mounts at go alomst verticle they have one UJ short piece of column then another UJ.

i doubt any other way would get you sufficient benefite and to do it your gunna need to modify all dash area and bulk head.

i no why your doing it but im just over 6 foot have a column drop bracket and bucket seats and can drive mine fine. i would like the steering wheel at a "proper" angle too but i dont seem to notice when i put my foot down and get going!!

[minislapper]

When messing with the steering wheel angle/column etc PLEASE don't forget that it was designed in such a way as to be safe in the event of an accident. You could end up making your car more dangerous and it could do you some very serious damage should you have a frontal crash.

[Jammy]

As minislapper says. The subframe, engine and steering rack/column are all designed so that in a frontal collision the engine folds underneath the floor (not into the bulkhead/your legs), and that the steering rack moves under the floor too, pivoting the steering wheel upwards and towards the windscreen, away from your face. Placing a universal joint into the column will remove this feature. Of course, it does depend on where the impact occurs. If you were to do this I'd advise full harness and bucket seats.

It can be done though. Z Cars use several types of universal joint, etc to move the wheel to a more horizontal position. It should take too much effort. You might need to elongate the hole in the floor for the steering rack spindle. Then just undo the steering rack U-bolts and allow the rack to rotate around. You should only have to use one UJ, and you may even be able to use the same drop link.

[Ro8bieg]

I have got bucketseats and 4 point harness's to go in. i cant see why i would have to mod the bulkhead?

[1340 gt]

think i see more what you mean, i was thinking you were wanting the wheel at the same angle as a modern car. if you just want an improvment then the above should work fine with 1 joint. i still think 2 would be too complicated to make it worthwhile and safe.

[minislapper]

Whatever modifications you do end up doing, make sure you tell your insurance company. This is something they certainly would want to know about!!

[Wil_h]

I'm not convinced about the safety aspect. sure in a very specific accident the theory might work, but in reality this is a 50 year old design where safety was not high on the agenda, and but a mini through a modern crash test and the steering column will be the least of your worries.

For my hillclimber I used Montego or Maestro column, all the splines are the same and it has 2 universal joints in.

[Ro8bieg]

Do you have any pics of your column will?

[Wil_h]

you can see it in the car here

http://www.twin-turb...s/IMG_0088.html