Cowet
Well-Known Member
I've been doing some digging on how to tighten up the steering ratio and Im aware of the pitman arm clearance limitations. Does anyone actually run a steering quickener on our cars? I'm aiming for 12:1
What is your intended use?I'm aiming for 12:1
The only A body I've ever personally seen with them was a '69 Swinger and he had problems with them hitting the headpipes- he switched to headers (forget which brand, sorry- it was probably 20 years ago) and they were still hitting. Ended up putting standard arms back on. Not saying it can't be worked around (I have heard of it, so never say never! But that is also where I heard the lighter As got twitchy with PS) but do expect some clearance issues on As.The Hotchkiss Challenger runs a 1.5:1 steering quickener for 12:1. I have seen a picture of it somewhere, it’s mounted right at the steering box with a shortened steering column. The reviews I’ve seen from drivers were all positive, at least on AutoX courses.
The AAR and T/A cars ran the longer pitman arms on the power steering cars, those were also 12:1. I don’t think that ratio is an issue with power.
With manual steering it’ll break your arms. But really, it would slow the steering down. Even with my 16:1 manual steering, 275’s up front and +6.5*’s of caster my arm strength limits how fast I turn more than the steering ratio does.
Most SS Darts and Barracudas are doing this with bearings and going to heim ends. This is Ray Bartons Dart. They have to run a steering box by rules. Otherwise a rack & pinion would be your best choice. Less moving parts .
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Sorry I offended your know it all A$$. Its not street car but an old school race car. extending the arms were what was done. But what the hell would you careHey look, it’s not a steering quickener.
All I see is a welded pitman that shouldn’t be used on a street car and a lot of work done to eliminate the tie rod ends and replace them with heims that won’t last as long on the street.
You always post that car like it’s the pinnacle of suspension work, but it’s just a drag car that’s not street worthy anymore. And most of the modifications are completely based on class rules, which often means there’s a better way to do it if you’re not in that race class. For a 1/4 mile at a time in perfect conditions it’s probably great. On the street that car would not hold up. And you of all people should know how dangerous broken suspension parts can be.
This is a steering quickener like the OP is asking about
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hre-5225/
It’s NOT a lengthened pitman arm like the fast ratio steering arms available.
Sorry I offended your know it all A$$. Its not street car but an old school race car. extending the arms were what was done. But what the hell would you care
We extended these for On and off road 4 wheel drive. Back when you had to make parts. You can make them stronger then the sets you buy. If you know how to weld and figure in geometry.
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Bluboy your link don't work
Well I know what they are and I wouldn't suggest using them on a steering box let alone a street car. Like I have told you many times parts for my car came from a NASCAR modified shop. And we also raced a sprinter . That is where you would use a quickener on a race car with long arm box or a rack. And they are not recomended by good car builders. Just a cheap fix. Notice the advertisment you have posted shows a listing for heim joints for steering joints that you said are junk.Here's a picture of the Hotchkis Challenger's set up for the steering quickener. It's a Coleman unit that's mounted under the dash. It's a little hard to see it, but these are the only pictures I've found of it. There's a thread over at moparts on it where @autoxcuda talks about it, maybe he'll chime in here. They're his pictures
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https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1163164/2.html
I would think that it could also be mounted to the inner fender right near the steering box, it would be easier that way because you could leave the upper part of the steering column alone. It might require a bracket to be fabbed up for the mount to have the strength required for it, but shortening the column down there would be easier.
Here's a link to the Coleman piece
Steering Quickener, Lightweight, Mini
Well I know what they are and I wouldn't suggest using them on a steering box let alone a street car. Like I have told you many times parts for my car came from a NASCAR modified shop. And we also raced a sprinter . That is where you would use a quickener on a race car with long arm box or a rack. And they are not recomended by good car builders. Just a cheap fix. Notice the advertisment you have posted shows a listing for heim joints for steering joints that you said are junk.
These billet quickeners are good for coming off the turn with a winged car. The wing steers them in planting the left rear on entry. A good setup carries the right front on the straights
Only an idiot would put this billet aluminum system like this on a heavy street car with a box where they have road bumps and hazards. And then in place of your collapsible shaft and column. Take notice this is a race part. And is illegal for the street in many states. Don't use this system on a steering box car. Buy extended pit-man and idler arm. They are iron and are much safer even if you make your own.
And check out the underside of the gobbled together 1/4 mile car with old tech. sure looks as though safety was a priority to me.
To the OP stay away from this junk for a street car. Think Safety. Would you really trust your life to this system. Now this is my opinion you do what you want. Maybe talk to someone that designs complete suspension kits first.
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Here's a picture of the Hotchkis Challenger's set up for the steering quickener. It's a Coleman unit that's mounted under the dash. It's a little hard to see it, but these are the only pictures I've found of it. There's a thread over at moparts on it where @autoxcuda talks about it, maybe he'll chime in here. They're his pictures
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https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1163164/2.html
I would think that it could also be mounted to the inner fender right near the steering box, it would be easier that way because you could leave the upper part of the steering column alone. It might require a bracket to be fabbed up for the mount to have the strength required for it, but shortening the column down there would be easier.
Here's a link to the Coleman piece
Steering Quickener, Lightweight, Mini
Here is what I can tell you. I have 2 inch tube headers and installed them on a 71 Duster with the 71 steering link. I had to cut and move the one tube because the pitman and idler fastener nut were on the top. After I cut the header my son noticed that if we would have used the 73 and newer steering link they would have fit with no problem. Close but would clear.
Also one thing to consider is that the AAR and T/A cars were available with extended power steering arms and will work with the later 73-76 steering link. You can weld the arms or put them in a press and bend them if they are close. If I was doing your car I would use this advise and make things work. Do not rely on that cheap steering quickener under the dash. You'll turn your column into a spear and also make it unreliably dangerous.
The one picture below you can see the difference in the steering links. The straighter bar is the 73-76 style. As you can see the attachment points are moved down. The center of the bar is the same distance from the pan when installed. I remember the early cars always having problems with the steering hitting the exhaust. They changed it over in 73. Also eliminates some bump steer.
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