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PV, 120 (Amazon), 1800 General Forum for the Volvo PV, 120 and 1800 cars |
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Rack and Pinion Steering in an Amazon?Views : 3994 Replies : 13Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Oct 19th, 2006, 16:19 | #1 |
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Rack and Pinion Steering in an Amazon?
Spotted in the piece on the Swiss Aston Martin engined P1800 in Octane this month that they fitted a TR4 steering rack to the car. Has anyone else got any further experience of trying to fit rack and pinion to an Amazon or thoughts to add? Might make for even nicer steering feel and parts to do the conversion are quite reasonable.
Harvey |
Oct 19th, 2006, 17:56 | #2 |
Amazoniste
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Interesting idea. Won't the rack have to be quite far forward, in which case its position & also the angle / length of the steering arms (custom ones will probably be required) will be critical for it to be a worthwhile conversion. If Amazon's have Ackermann steering geometry, then the postion of the rack etc can be calculated rather than being a case of trial & error.
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Paul - 1967 Amazon 222S B20 o/d Estate & 1961 A-H Sprite Mk2 948cc WANTED - For '67 Amazon estate - offside rear quarter, preferably new old stock. |
Oct 19th, 2006, 18:13 | #3 |
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Thanks Paul, unfortunately the article didn't include photos of the rack in situ so its difficult to know what they had to modify or how they chose geometry without getting some bits and making some measurements...
Ackerman was new to me, if any of you would like to know about it there is a clear, concise description on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackerma...ering_geometry |
Oct 19th, 2006, 22:47 | #4 |
Amazoniste
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There are basically two places the rack can go - behind the engine or in front of it. If behind (Morris-Minor-stylee), that will involve extensive bulkhead / inner wing mods, so that can be ruled out unless the front end is being spaceframed.
So that just leaves in front of the engine. It's been a while since I've had to look under the front end of my heap, but isn't there a transverse steering link (with steering box drop link & idler at each end) around there? If a rack is being fitted, that is presumably redundant so the rack can go there. The issue is the steering arms - not just the angle but also clearance thoughout the steering lock, especially as long arms may be required with correspondingly greater arc of movement. I'll have a look under my car tomorrow & let you know my thoughts
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Paul - 1967 Amazon 222S B20 o/d Estate & 1961 A-H Sprite Mk2 948cc WANTED - For '67 Amazon estate - offside rear quarter, preferably new old stock. |
Oct 20th, 2006, 04:26 | #5 |
Missing the point
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If a TR4 rack is used I think it would have to go infront of the axle, as if it went behind the steering would work in reverse!
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Tim 1968 Volvo 145 long term project. Currently without a Volvo daily driver. |
Oct 20th, 2006, 11:23 | #6 | |
Amazoniste
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Quote:
BTW, are the front chassis structure & suspension mounts etc on P1800s & Amazons basically the same? I.e. can whatever was done to the 1800 be swapped straight over to an Amazon? It might also be worth asking over on http://retrorides.proboards86.com/ They are very much in favour of uprating old cars & there are also quite a few technical / car engineering gurus who post regularly on there & who would know far more about how to carry out such a conversion
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Paul - 1967 Amazon 222S B20 o/d Estate & 1961 A-H Sprite Mk2 948cc WANTED - For '67 Amazon estate - offside rear quarter, preferably new old stock. |
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Oct 20th, 2006, 14:29 | #7 | |
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Oct 20th, 2006, 22:06 | #8 |
Trader Volvo in my veins
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Most steering and suspension parts are sg=hared with both P1800 and amazon.
Personlay I would not bother fitting a rack as in good nick the steering box gives very poitive steering. Steering boxes are still used in new cars today! |
Nov 11th, 2017, 12:50 | #9 | |
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Nov 11th, 2017, 14:45 | #10 |
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rack & pinion
As Tom The Biker said the rack has to be very short, Way back in my not so ill spent youth,I worked at Lotus for a spell,( any body in the middx/herts/essex borders and interested in bikes/cars did so) I worked on the drive line bench moding and putting bits together for Elites(prettiest car you ever saw) They used herald racks,the racks being cut and shut,can't remember anything about the geometry unfortunately.
The GP team were based on site and now and again the door would open and one of the team cars "would bomb off" down Delamare rd. the local boys in blue must have heard,they were only a mile away, but copped a deaf un' This quite often occured when "THE MAN" from Webber came over from Italy to breath on the carbs, was like black magic to us lads!!! Regards,Keith(misty eyed with nostalgia)
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