Steering linkage binding

[Allen-GTR]

Have read all of the posts and nothing jumps out at me, so here goes...

After fitting the steering linkage, I am getting binding in the U-joints. They were fine until they were tightened up. Now they visibly (and noticeably)bind. They have been "matched" in rotation, so I am at a loss. I hate the thought of grinding merrily away on the u-joints...

The hole through the front bulkhead is in the correct position and the rod does not touch there at all...

I have been very careful with the steering rack. The rack clamps are square on the rack and tightened to 12 ft/lbs. This isn't the cause, but I did see mention of sometimes needing to fine tune these. They do appear to be clamping the rack evenly all the way around and the bolts went in straight and easily.

So, am I missing something simple here?

Thanks!

Allen

[steve_D]

What part of the joint is binding and against what?
Steve

[BigAl1]

Allen,

During the rack install did you clamp one side and torque the bolt to spec, then measure the distance between rack and chassis on the other side? Repeat for the opposite, then compare the distances measured? I found my clamps needed some trimming to mate flat to the chassis, and not put a bind on the rack.

Allan

[Allen-GTR]

Steve,

The joints are binding on themseles like the angle is too sharp. Generally on each of the rounded shoulders according to the paint thats rubbing off.

Maybe re-positioning the u-joints might help...? I THINK I have them right though...

Allan,

I have not checked the mounting blocks (yet). I need to get the binding out of the column before I could detect any in the rack, but didn't find after torqueing the rack and before tightening the u-joint (eveything worked pretty smoothly at that point oddly enough).

Allen

[steve_D]

Is the rack positioned correctly side to side?
Are the splines fully engaged into the joints?
Both of these could cause the angle to be higher.
Steve

[bigmack]

To me it sort of sounds like the little rod stub coming out of the rack isn't correctly postitioned vertically to align it with the rest of the steering rods (even though you mentioned the hole was drilled in the correct spot through the bulkhead).
Strange.
Cheers!
-Mack

[andycanam]

bigmack said:

To me it sort of sounds like the little rod stub coming out of the rack isn't correctly postitioned vertically to align it with the rest of the steering rods (even though you mentioned the hole was drilled in the correct spot through the bulkhead). Strange. Cheers! -Mack

Agree......

However.
there was an article written by Ted in one of the first Ultimatume's I got (club mag), this explained how to fine tune the steering system in quite some detail, maybe you could ask for a copy of this?
Andy

[BigAl1]

Allen,
Two other thoughts;

Is your upper column allowed to slide up and down slightly along its axis? I noticed mine moves a little as you rotate the system - the nature of 2
u-joints with opposite angles.
And did you cut off 8mm fron the u-joint pinch bolt tips?

Allan

[bigmack]

Thanks Andy. Ted sent a copy of this article to me a while back and I am currently redoing this at the moment. Very good guide.
Cheers!
-Mack

[davefiddes]

I think the article you are talking about is actually listed on the club's website these days. Very helpful article. I did find that my own chassis didn't require any modification of the clamps to avoid binding though.

[Allen-GTR]

OK, good news...

After tinkering with the u-joints and turning them aaround the splines little at a time, swinging a dead chicken over my head while hopping on one foot while chanting most of the lines from the exorsist, they did eventually align fairly well. I did have to use the swiss file to get them perfect, but I did get them to rotate 2.5 times without binding. WHEW!

So, for the record, I did trim the bolts off, the rack was aligned left to right, the rotation of the rack was optimized, the blocks needed to adjusting and the hole was in the right place. Just got a dose of bad karma I guess...

Now, I am full steam ahead again. Thanks to all of you guys for helping me out! Man, this project would be tough if it were not for all the help here and a couple of well documented build diaries! (Thanks CJ and Bob!)

Allen

[Stig]

Always a pleasure