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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Steering column alignment.

Hi All,

On my chrome bumper conversion I have introduced a 2nd UJ at the rack end. Very nice slimline job from flaming river in the US (thanks to the people on the group for the tip BTW).

What implications are there now for steering column alignment?

I know it is a hard job with an unmodified column and you need a special tool with two cones on it.

Do I need to worry about it? Will the prescence of lower UJ deal with any aligment issues?

Thanks, Liam
Liam

Hi Liam,
You don't need to worry abou it, as you say the sceond joint will deal with it.
Regards
Tony
Tony Bates

Thanks Tony - one less job to worry about.
Liam

Liam,
Just another pointer - any time you get two u-joints (much like a driveshaft), you'll should try to keep the joint working angles as close to equal as possible (or the steering may feel a bit lumpy). That is, ensure that the centreline axis of the steering rack stub and the steering column are essentially parallel.
Graham Creswick

Graham,

"ensure that the centreline axis of the steering rack stub and the steering column are essentially parallel."

There is no point. The original steering only had one unijoint. Therefore the centrelines were not parallel. The steering does not turn fast enough for the slight angle to make the steering "lumpy". Why mess with the rack?

What you say is correct for transmissions though ie crank angle and diff pinion angle. These must be parallel.

Regards,
Dom

Dom

Dom,
You are correct in saying that the original steering had one joint and there is no inherent issue.
My comment was directed at the condition when two u-joints are used. This condition can lead to a lumpy steering effort if the axes are not in line (parallel/parallel condition) and is analagous to getting the correct operating angle for a driveline propshaft to eliminate vibration. The alternate to a parallel/parallel design to get joint cancellation is to design to "broken back" angles - in both cases the working joint angles are the same.
Next time you look at a large class 8 truck (can you tell I work for a large truck OEM?) check the steering geometry. Typically the gear axis is parallel to the steering column and has a connecting shaft with 2 joints.
It could be that typical steering wheel input speeds in a "B" may not be high enough to notice any lumpiness. In class 8 trucks this is an issue and is part of the steering performance process.
Regards, Graham
Graham Creswick

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2006 and 18/09/2006

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