Steering column height lower

[duragg]

Track only car with a Quick Release...

I want the steering column even lower.

 

So I loosened the 4 attach bolts and put in 1/2" spacers (Actually since it is at an angle the ones closest to engine are shorter.

I want more.     Question is, How far can that be pulled down?

Guess I need to just see what the whole business looks like once tweaked lower.

 

Anybody been here before?
I searched a good 20m and found nothing.

 

THx.

[Lazeum]

The steering shaft from the spider gear at rack to the steering wheel has to be straight (if you keep original design with steering coupler), so limit would be clearance with firewall hole.

 

Then there's the spider joint, if you put too much angle to it, you'll introduce torque ripple. Since lowering steering column wouldn't change angle much, you shouldn't be worried about it.

 

Finally comes the safety. If you crash your head/chest against steering wheel, you would have issues. Since it is for a track car, I assume you would have some buckets with harnesses so it shouldn't matter either.

Edited September 24, 2013 by Lazeum

[JMortensen]

Have you considered making your own column? If you used a standard 3/4" tube like many race cars do then you could just buy a steering heim joint and maybe bolt a plate to the bottom of the pedal box to get the height you want. You would also have to figure out the firewall plate, but that shouldn't be too hard. The real issue is what to do on the other side of the firewall. You could replace the U-joints. We had some made by Woodward probably 6 or 7 years ago. I still have mine, even though I switched to a Woodward rack. $40 shipped if you want it. You'd need another Woodward or similar U-joint too, they run about $50, and some 3/4" tube, and a QR.

Firewall heim: http://www.derbyparts.com/Steering-Column-Firewall-Mount-p/rr91032375750.htm

Column heim: http://www.derbyparts.com/Oversized-Steering-Heim-Joint-p/rr1750757.htm

Woodward u-j: http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Woodward+Steering+U+joints+&_itemId=250387924067

[duragg]

Custom may be the final outcome.

In the interim it doesn't sound like there is any rocket sciene preventing me from stealing what I can as long as the action is smooth, free and safe.

 

Thanks all.

[duragg]

I was able to pull the column down about an inch or more with spacers and the height is perfect.

With the new NRG 2.5 Quick Release it (the steering wheel) is a bit too far back (towards driver) so I will swap to a more flat wheel and should be good.

 

Thanks all.

Edited September 25, 2013 by duragg

[RebekahsZ]

Let me get a re-cap. So you were able to drop the column how far, just letting the floor mount flex and bend with force from pulling down on the steering wheel? Can you include a pic of your spacer set up?

[duragg]

The columns flops down readily when the 4 bolts are loosened.

Doesn't seem to mind the movement at all and the joints up ahead all seem perfectly happy..