steering systems

[fowler]

ok so some may know i am makeing a buggy from an old quad.

well the steering system i used is not strong enough and i need ideas on a system to use.
i cant use rack and pinion because this is a school project and it must be finished in 2 weeks (not enought time to find one).

last of all there is suspension on the buggy, so it cant be usual bell crank and tie rods.

please post ideas below thanks for the ideas (in advance)

edit oh yeah i forgot the current setup.
the rod the uni joint is connected to turns pushing the horasontal bar back or forth. that rod is connected to the peice of reinforeced flat bar inside the tube, this bar is connected to the tie rods.
there is better pics here
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8113&highlight=buggy

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I haven't got time to go into a lot of detail as I'm off to work in a few minutes but- You could make your own rack and pinion. Use a sprocket as a pinion gear attached to the steering column. Weld a length of chain to a peice of flat bar, making the rack. Attach your tie rods to either and of the rack. you'll have to caom up with a retaining method to keep the pinion in contact with the rack, and a method of keeping the rack in alignment, like a channel. Chew on that one for a bit. Cheers- Chris

 

[fowler]

i tryed that first
it was very fiddly and the sprocket kept skiping teeth

 

[theo]

Get rid of the rack and try something like this. It also has ackerman.

 

[fowler]

that looks like a goa
what u mean it has ackerman

 

[fowler]

no wait i just got it
what is this type called so i came get more pics.
also if i make the arms that lean outwards would that counteract the askerman built into the quad's steering knuckles. Because the art is longer than the buggy the ackerman is screwed and the understeer is massive when i push it around

 

[redsox985]

I have no idea about a name for that, but it looks relatively easy. Two arms, a left and right tie rod, a connecting tie rod, and a little push tie rod.

 

[Bill CNC]

Theo,

Is that a Kart you built? If so, ... where did those A-arms come from?

 

[KieranM]

look like atv/quad a arms

 

[fowler]

yeah they are from a quad.
and yeah looks like a trip to bunnings this weekend.

 

[theo]

that looks like a goa
what u mean it has ackerman

What the hell is goa? Bill not my build I believe the a arms are off a blaster.

 

[fowler]

a goa, say it by pronuncing each letter.
it mean "it looks like an go " as in this is the system of choice.
it is aussie mate.

 

[theo]

fairdinkum, I see it now.

 

[fowler]

sooooo,
any answers on the question from post 6

 

[theo]

I would try the arms straight up.

 

[fowler]

ok
also if i make the steering leading arm farther than trailing arm will that do anything to the geomatry.

 

[theo]

You will have to play with it to get the right throw. Make them out of plywood. You should be able to figure it out in 1/2hr.

 

[fowler]

ill make them outta jarrah as we have no ply
then i can make them very adjustable

 

[fowler]

thanks