Saw a thread yesterday (dog leg radius rods) and it got me wondering about tire clearances etc. when using a stock model A front end suicide mounted and w/split bones. So I set mine up and took some pics. First off the turn limit is the wheel stops and not the steering box. So lets go to pictures. All but number 5 are shown with left rod in split position and right as if it was unsplit. First shows right turn to wheel stop. 40*. Full clearance. Unsplit. Second shows left turn to tie rod end hiting. 20*. Split. Third shows left turn w/tire. Tie rod end hitting. 20* Split. Fourth shows right turn w/tire to wheel stop.40* Full clearance. Unsplit. Fifth shows right turn w/either bent steering arms or non stock tie rod ends. Tire just clears at 35*. Split. Therefore if you want to run split bones on a model A several things must be considered. You have to either change the tie rod or bend the steering arms to gain clearance as 20% turn is not sufficient. That being done you can have 35% but to prevent tire rub you must lengthen the wheel stop. If the max turn of 40% is desired you must put a dog leg in the radius rod. Or maybee just spend $3,000 for something fancy and just bolt it in. Buffalo Bill.
The Jalopy Journal
