Does it matter? Building from scratch and do not have any as reference. Is there rule of thumb out there for how long they should be?
I'd like to think that if you can make them structuraly sound, to put them as close to the steering arm to minimise bump steer. Assuming you're not using side steer. Get a second opinion though, cause I'm an idiot.
With a drag link steering setup, the rear pivot for the front radius rods should be vertically aligned with the output shaft of the steering box. That way, as the front wheel travels up and down thru the range of the supension, the arc created by the swing of the draglink will be equal to the arc created by the radius rod, thus helping to eliminate bump steer.
I agree with brianangus, drag link and radius rod the same length. I have attached some pics of my lakes roadster to show how I did it. Rex
I agree, however, in some cases where the steering box is mounted on the frame in front of the cowl, an imaginary center line of the drag link should intersect the pivot point of the radius rod. The Oct issue of Rod and Custom has a great article on front ends.
Thanks guys. I agree with you 100%. But other than keeping the 2 equal length and parallel, what about the length of the 2. In theory they could be 2 feet or 4 feet. It seems to me the longer the better...you guys agree?
back on the topic,i have always seen the front rods just about in the middle on the cowl, either on a coupe or a roadster,with my stock 46 rods they will be about 12'' toward the rear, than in the middle of the cowl,so longer is better.....i know that the older bones may be shorter thats just where they come out in the middle of the cowl...
Common aftermarket hairpin radius rods are 27" long. Add the clevis on one end and the tie rod end on the other end plus the spacing on the radius rod brackets and the total length is around 32-33". This is likely the shortest a builder would want to use.
so the earlier radius rods that i see on these coupes and roadsters that come to the middle of the cowl,are just the length that they came,they most likely didnt cut them to that lengh....if so mine should be ok longer.....
I think you are right. I think they just split the wishbone, I believe there is weld there, and attach it with a splitting kit.
Can you guys give some opinions on other the types of steering (with photos preferrably) as well? PS: Very good post, thanks.
so i should just leave mine longer, and not shorten it, i have yet to see a coupe or roadster with radius rods that go past the middle of the cowl....
Id leave em long, as long as your steering arm is in the right geometry (for cowl steer). I have seen them past the cowl before. I have seen a few where the front and the rear meet at the same point.