Offroad-Express

What is the easiest way to set up the steering in my surf when I do a SAS. I can't afford to go hi steer, unless someone has a real cheap oprion, but an affordable way to set up cross over steering would be great.

Been told that you can use a third steering arm ( the one which locates the king pins on the beam axle diff) turned upside down and bolted on top of the left side steering arm. This should provide mounts for both the tie rod and the draglink.
I havent done this myself yet but it appears to be a good idea. Let me know if you suss it out.

How would certifiers look at this, wouldn't it place a heap of extra stress on the bolts that hold the steering arms in place?

Smurf
Posted: Mon May 24, 2004 4:12 pm

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How would certifiers look at this, wouldn't it place a heap of extra stress on the bolts that hold the steering arms in place?

Not too sure on the ins and outs of it, have a yarn to suprasurf, he was telling me about it.

The flipped arm option works, but you have some problems as I see it (Theory only, I've not done this):

1> As mentioned - extra stress on the studs - and you probably need to replace them with longer ones to go through both arms (although you would machine both tops flat before mating them - DON'T weld them - this is a steering component no-no unless you intend to get them X-ray crack tested).

2> the holes need to be re-tapered for the cone-washers - and since they are already tapered on the other side you run the risk of not having enough meat to make the taper without blowing through or leaving enough metal for strength.

3> You have to have the hole at the end of the upper arm re-tapered for the balljoint to go the other way up.

You can buy these arms already cast and finished - I don't think they are that expensive from memory - I'll look into it if anyone is interested.

On another note, I am looking at manufacturing crossover steering arms here - they would be around the $500 mark for a pair which is considerably better than the Snake Racing ones for price - also these ones will take ackerman angle into account which the Snake ones I have seen do not - important if you use the truck on the road.

Steve

Could be keen on a set of these x over steering arms that you talk about Steve. Will they be high steer?
Cheers
Thomas

Put me next on the list...

I am looking at manufacturing crossover steering arms here

Put me next on the list

I'm very keen at least 2 sets

Hi Guys, yes - they will be high-steer arms, milled from billet medium steel at this stage with a lathe-turned bearing-seat pressed and machine screwed in - I will look to probably get them cast from something like chrome-molly further down the track but these should be virtually indestructable and more cost-effective in the short term.

Ackermann angle relies on (very basic theory - there is much more to it than this) the tie-rod between the wheels being mounted to an arm which is in line with an imaginary line drawn from the centre of the rear axle through each of the steering pivot points of the front axle - and the last set of snake arms I looked at (Mike - they were yours ) were nowhere close - they are made to fit big wide rims I would say at a guess as they point in rather than out.

regards

Steve