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Technical Steering drag link angle

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by HarborKustomSpeedShop, Mar 11, 2019.

  1. So I know this has been covered to death on here but I haven’t found a straight forward answer. My question is should the drag link be parallel to the ground or follow the same angle as the wishbones and their arc?

    I’ll attach a picture of my coupe, it seems to have bump steer. I’m constantly having to correct the wheel to keep it straight.

    Caster is about 9* with it on the ground.

    Thanks!

    [​IMG]
     
  2. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,883

    rusty valley
    Member

    read the thread about cowl steering... just stop it
     
  3. thirtytwo
    Joined: Dec 19, 2003
    Posts: 2,639

    thirtytwo
    Member

    Doesn’t matter at this point for you that geometry is wrong , go with what you think looks best it’s not going to make any difference either way

    The pitman should be 180* for best geometry
     
  4. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,817

    BJR
    Member

    How does that not steer backwards with the pitman arm up instead of down?
     

  5. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,883

    rusty valley
    Member

    just takes some gettin used to it. oh, and dont let any one else drive
     
    oj likes this.
  6. thirtytwo
    Joined: Dec 19, 2003
    Posts: 2,639

    thirtytwo
    Member

    My guess is it’s a Vega tipped on its side , guys did this with 37-48 pass boxes and mustang boxes also
     
    HarborKustomSpeedShop likes this.
  7. Pete Eastwood
    Joined: Jul 27, 2011
    Posts: 1,324

    Pete Eastwood
    Member
    from california

    That's classic bump steer geometry . . .
     
  8. rustythumb
    Joined: Nov 24, 2008
    Posts: 103

    rustythumb
    Member

    pete and jake's catalog explains it.
     
  9. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,264

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Sure is!
     
  10. Thanks for all the help everyone! I try to make it better and if not I will fix it, doesn’t matter if I have to reinvent the whole system! I’m not real experienced in steering setups but I want it to be right. It’s just hard to but a tradition cross steer in a pinched 32’ frame for a model A with the setup I’m running up front! Hell I can always go with a coal steering setup! Everyone loves those! Hahaha

    Again thanks!
     
    dana barlow likes this.
  11. AmishMike
    Joined: Mar 27, 2014
    Posts: 968

    AmishMike
    Member

    Like tb33*** shows above u have the 2nd situation. Measure & lay it out actual size on garage floor then do arch’s with string & marker u have bump steer. How to fix? You eliminated cross steer so I think live with it part of driving a hot rod. You could play with changing mounting points to see what involved on that floor layout. looks like nice radical chopped coupe.
     
  12. lake_harley
    Joined: Jun 4, 2017
    Posts: 2,159

    lake_harley
    Member

    Wow! That diagram in post #10 by tb33--- really pointed out the proper geometry for a drag link/radius rod mounting points. I thought I was pretty clever and had pretty decent geometry (but not perfect) on my drag link/radius rod design when I built my T many years ago, but it has some significant bump steer. That diagram really opened my eyes and I realize my flawed thinking. Now I have to consider if I'm just going to live with it or go through some significant changes to improve it. Darn (me banging head against table), ..... I learn this now, after I finally had the car apart for paint about a year ago!:(

    Lynn
     
  13. Lynn, download the first few pages of the Pete & Jake's catalog. It has the complete story on suspension geometry. Very helpful.

    Phil
     
    gimpyshotrods likes this.

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