I couldn't find the original thread, but have since found these. Looks like it's spliced into the steering column.
http://www.racereadyproducts.com/steering-components/pro-lite-steering-quickner/
Whoda guessed?
Dan
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Dec. 8, 2011 12:42 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork
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Dec. 8, 2011 12:44 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork
Is this universal?
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Dec. 8, 2011 12:45 p.m. carguy123 SuperDork
I've read that this can strip if too much tire or upon rough road conditions. I have no idea if that is true.
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Dec. 8, 2011 12:52 p.m. MG Bryan Reader
I've been curious about steering quickeners for a while now. I've read conflicting reports about their effect on steering feel etc. Anyone here have direct experience?
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Dec. 8, 2011 12:56 p.m. DaveEstey Dork
Have one but it's not installed.
Roundy round racers use them.
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Dec. 8, 2011 12:58 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork
Old tech, but if you shortened the column, moved the box back and lengthened the pitman arm, wouldn't that change the ratio?
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Dec. 8, 2011 1:05 p.m. ProDarwin Dork
Also increases play in the steering system :(
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Dec. 8, 2011 1:08 p.m. ditchdigger Dork
The local FWD VW auto-X'ers use these on power steering racks with electric pumps. Turns them into manageable 1 turn lock to lock cars.
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Dec. 8, 2011 3:14 p.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork
914Driver wrote:
Old tech, but if you shortened the column, moved the box back and lengthened the pitman arm, wouldn't that change the ratio?
Yeah, but you have to change the idler arm length to match and there will be some steering geometry weirdness at large angles. I'd use the quickener instead.
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Dec. 8, 2011 3:21 p.m. DaveEstey Dork
I just remembered there's an SMF CRX (340whp) in these parts that has a quickener. The guys who run it says it takes more effort but is worth it, father and son duo and the son likes it more than the father.
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Dec. 8, 2011 4:40 p.m. 16vCorey SuperDork
I believe Andy Nelson has one on the Fiat. I haven't driven it since it's been installed, so I have no idea what it's like. Maybe he'll see this and chime in.
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Dec. 8, 2011 4:58 p.m. fasted58 SuperDork
Speedway Motors
sprints and roundy round, lightweight n cheap at 90 bills or go HD for buck n a half
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/SMALL-BODY-21-STEERING-QUICKENER,8280.html
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Dec. 8, 2011 7:25 p.m. SVreX SuperDork
16vCorey wrote:
I believe Andy Nelson has one on the Fiat. I haven't driven it since it's been installed, so I have no idea what it's like. Maybe he'll see this and chime in.
Yep. That's what put his monstrously overpowered contraption within striking distance of the win after the autox the year the sucker vette won (drags were rained out).
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Dec. 8, 2011 8:49 p.m. CLynn85 Reader
Does anyone have photos of one of these installed? We seriously need to quicken up the steering on the RallyTruck and have been considering this for a while.
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Dec. 8, 2011 8:55 p.m. 44Dwarf Dork
No pictures but have used them before. There availible in two ratio's 1.5 and 2.0 they come in a couple difrent types the good ones use a planitary gear set up very little back lash. the housing need to be held solidly.
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Dec. 9, 2011 8:57 a.m. iceracer SuperDork
These have been around for a long time. On old fashioned cars, lengthening the pitman arm or shortening the steering arms will reduce the number of turns.
I found on some cars, the difference in the ratio for PS and non is in the length ot the arms. If you have bolt on arms, QED. Part of the knuckle, not so easy. -
Dec. 9, 2011 9:37 a.m. 81cpcamaro Reader
Here is the one I am using from Coleman racing, it is a 3-bolt setup and the steering wheel mounts directly to it. The shorter ones shown can be mounted between the steering column and the box/rack. Great for autox, but can make the steering very sensitive at speed.
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Dec. 9, 2011 9:59 a.m. weedburner New Reader
I used one in my home brewed Outlaw Dirt Latemodel, i made it from a planetary gearset that came from a T-350. My front geometry was designed around using a Ford Fairmont power rack which was around 3 turns lock/lock. My quickener changed that to 1 turn lock/lock, which allowed me to drive the car without taking my hands off of the wheel. Used the same quickener for 12 years, the only maintenance was off season cleaning and re-lubing. Dirt Latemodels are a contact sport, my quickener was one of the few things that was never damaged. This car used it...
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Dec. 9, 2011 2:41 p.m. emodspitfire Reader
Hi,
I have used 3 different units on the Spitfire:
D&M: Chain drive unit out of a company in TX. (They may be out of business) Sounds funky, but worked fine for 15 plus years until I managed to strip out the splines on the rack side. This was a 2/1 unit. Very heavy steering at grid speeds, but good feel and moderate effort on course.
Howe: Planetary (I think) 1.5/1 unit: Steering was too slow, feel and effort were OK. Howe: 2/1 replaced the D&M unit above. No apparent difference in behavior.
Rog
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Dec. 9, 2011 5:17 p.m. mr2peak Reader
There are a few companies out there that make quicker ratio racks and pinions, had one for my old MR2. Heavy steering, but no need to let go of the wheel.
