Steering columb.

[r_chez_08]

Ok I plan to upgrade my steering columb along with the rest of my karts steering assembly.
I have 2 questions:
1. What is the steering columb usually made from (bar, tube, steel, aluminium etc.
2. How do you attach the steering wheel? I ubderstand a boss is usually involved, but how is the boss connected to the columb to make it removable?
Cheers

 

[DCProductions]

Is that how they spell column in the UK?

As far as I've seen, steering columns are steel bar, though I'm sure some racing karts have lighter tube steel or aluminum substitutes.

The steering wheel attaches on a hub/boss? which is either welded on or splined to connect to a splined shaft. I think another way to attach the hub would be a through-bolt or some sort of makeshift keyway.

Hope this helps!

 

[r_chez_08]

Ok cheers. I welded my last hub/boss thing on but I woukd like the column removable.(yeah i spelt it wrong ) do people usually use bushings or bearings on the column? Or neither?
I like the keyway idea. I may use 12mm or 1/2" bar and make a 3mm or 1/8" keyway.
I dont like the bolt idea cos I did it and it sheared, leaving me with no steering. I would need a nice heavy bolt (8mm+) for it not to shear, but then the column would need to be 20mm or so.

 

[Badot]

You could drill and tap a hole right in between them, in line with the column (on the crack between the two parts) and put a bolt in there... milling may work too. The threads would keep the wheel from moving up and down on the shaft, and the bolt would effectively 'key' it, and since it would be running along the edge instead of perpendicular you'd have a lot more metal in there to resist shearing. Not sure how well this would work if you tried for materials of different hardness though.

Bushings are nice to have... can make it easier to steer, and it's easier to replace when it gets worn out. Hard to rust weld bronze or plastic, too. Bearings may be overkill for your application.

 

[HellSpawn]

http://www.bakerprecision.com/strghub.htm

 

[r_chez_08]

Ok I think i will use bushings and 10- 12mm bar, and make a lil keyway.
I wanted to make a hub, and HellSpawn, thanks for the link, but they are well out of my price range! I may just weld the hub on, and make it so the bushes and steering columb are removable together.
I wanted to make the steering column for material costs/ a few bushes.

 

[r_chez_08]

I found out that the race kart steering hubs are held on with 2x bolts, and they use a 20mm steering column (I presume aluminium- not good for me as I need to weld the arms to the end).
I wonder if 20mm steel tube would work?
Opinions?
Cheers

 

[DCProductions]

Tube would definitely be lighter; what wall thickness? You might encounter twisting with the tube, which won't be a problem unless your steering wheel must point a certain direction. You could also run wires (killswitch maybe?) through the tube for a cleaner look.

 

[r_chez_08]

Yeah true. I am just looking to see if I can find some ready made columns, because I believe it would be easier.

 

[r_chez_08]

Ok the ready made columns I found are hollow 20mm or 3/4" steel tube. They are also too short! I now need to find some suitable tube.

 

[HellSpawn]

Go scrap pick a column out of a car! Im sure you can get a full column w/ wheel, ignition, and all of the bells and whistles for fairly little cash.

 

[r_chez_08]

It would be massive though, surely?
I already have a proper kart steering wheel.
I have found some steering bosses for £5, I just need a length of 20mm or 3/4" o/d pipe.

 

[Wobbly]

I used a length of 3/4" bright steel bar for my steering column, nice and strong and cheap too, available in any length from your local steel supplier.

 

[r_chez_08]

Heavy though?

 

[HellSpawn]

depending on the vehicle you pick the column from, they can be fairly small, and can easily be shortened too. The column I used in an old project (from a 87 Isusu Trooper) was light as hell and fairly short.

 

[r_chez_08]

Ok sounds good, have you got any pics?

 

[Wobbly]

Heavy though?

No not really, mines 850mm long and weighs 2Kg, it cost about 8 quid. I used a 3/4" pillow block for a mount which cost about a fiver from eBay. One end of the column joins a UJ at the steering rack and I have a weld on boss for a quick release steering boss at the other. Nice and sturdy and works great.

 

[r_chez_08]

Sounds strong, but I would prefer to find some tube because its cheaper and lighter. As it is my kart is heavy enough!

 

[r_chez_08]

I found 600mm of 20mm 1.5mm tubing for £5. Does that sound suitable? Or too thin?

 

[r_chez_08]

Bought some bushings and a steering boss for 20mm. Will the 1.5mm conduit be strong enough?
Cheers
Rob