Collapsible steering columns & Healeys & upgrades

About two years ago I wrote AH Spares in England and asked if they had a collapsible steering column available; they advised that they could convert a supplied column to a collapsible for about $ 1500. I haven't pursued that any further or gotten any more details.
Marty Jensen of Jule Enterprises has a new (to me, anyway) product - a rack & pinion steering conversion for Austin-Healeys. Here's my notes from when I called him this evening(and I may have erred in my scribbles, so screwups are mine):
No real claims for safety when I called (he commented he hadn't done any crashtesting), but he advised that it's got two u-joints so there is a bit of safety increase here over stock (looking at the pictures on his web-site suggest that the column is still pretty dang straight). The steering column is from Ididit ( https://www.ididitinc.com/index.html ); the rack and pinion setup is Mustang II and all new parts; steering wheel position remains the same as stock. For the six cylinders, he provides a recored rad to be installed at a 28 degree angle for clearance as well as an electric fan; the steering column requires a MotoLita steering wheel or equivalent; you also lose your trafficator and gain a Chevy turn signal switch; the horn button remains stock and it appears that you could keep the trafficator appearance; the 4 cylinder Healeys don't need the rad mofication. The kit can be retrofitted to a complete car but it's easier with the shroud off; a bit of welding is required. If you look at the pictures he shows under 'Fuel Injected BN6' you can see the turn signal switch and the steering wheel hub as well as the rack and pinion setup.
So no intention to usurp the web-page info https://www.jule-enterprises.com/index.html , but figured I'd share what I thought was interesting. Marty also mentioned that he's installed this setup on five of the last six chassis that he's built.
Doug

Forgot to mention that Jule can also add power steering to the rack & pinion conversion.
Doug

I drove Martin's car at the Conclave in Galena. Martin's car has his Jule Ent. chassis (which is more ridgid than stock), rack and pinion... plus EFI. Since Martin and I both have EFI cars we had a lot of talking to do about EFI systems. But back to the topic. The car handles <span style="text-decoration: underline">beautifully</span>... couldn't ask for more in a Healey roadster... solid, sure-footed feeling with extremely precise steering. Really excellent.

Cheers,
Steve
https://stevesaustinhealey.com

Doug,
Have you seen this [ https://www.healey6.com/Technical/collapse.pdf /] ?
It looks like a nice way to make our cars safer.
Rich

Rich - thanks for the note! I read the web-page and have dropped the gentleman an e-mail, so will report back here what I learn.
On another topic: the young VW enthusiast/mechanic that's done some work on our dune buggy is available for the engine review/rebuild, which means I'm lookiing for volunteers to help me brush the snow off it and start it/tow it down to my daughter's garage so we can pull the engine tomorrow morning.
It's currently -18C (0F) and the western final for the Canadian Football League will take place this afternoon here; the western University final was played here on the same field yesterday (won by the University of Calgary). 24 of the professional Calgary Stampeders team are from Stateside; you might want to think some kind words for the guys that are up here from Ole Miss and other southern points. Should be a good game, and I'd be in the stands if I had tickets.
Doug

Doug,
I heard back from Allen regarding the link I posted. The on ly problem I see from his solution is the loss of the trafficator. I wonder if anyone has a solution for that problem, or if the nuckle link solution does not mess up the trafficator.
thoughts? Is u-joint better or worse than telescopic shaft.

rich

. I wonder if anyone has a solution for that problem,

Well if I had a mind to do it I would simply go to the closest junk yard where i could find any year of a Volvo P1800
and remove the collapible joint from the steering column and integrate it into the Healey Unit.--Kind of ah KISS design you know--Keoke

or if the nuckle link solution does not mess up the trafficator.
thoughts? Is u-joint better or worse than telescopic shaft
IMOP I would prefer the telescopic shaft.

Slip Rings

Here's what I did to keep my trafficator.

Putting Spridget Rack & Pinion steering unit in my 100-6 necessitated two U-joints in the steering column. That meant that the 4 wires from the trafficator could no longer exit the bottom of the column.

I looked at winding wires around the shaft or a larger drum and at coil cords, but constantly twisted wires will eventually fail.

Having access to a lathe, I made a set of "Slip Rings" from common items.

In this picture, the wires from the trafficator exit the steering column at the bottom of the picture (the firewall is at the top of the picture). Each of the 4 wires is soldered to a slip ring and dual music wire "pick-up" fingers connect to the relays that control the horn, left & right turn lights.



The whole setup cost less than $10 and works beautifully. True, the trafficator spins with the steering wheel and must be shut off manually (it is straight up B4 and after a turn), but that is a small price to pay for having it still work.

If anybody wants full details, contact me at tim@healey.org.

Tim

Re: Slip Rings

Here's what I did to keep my trafficator.

Thats a neat way to go---Keoke-- :thumbsup:

Re: Slip Rings

The slip rings are slices of 2" copper pipe, grooved to keep the spring fingers centered.

The cool part (pun intended) was to turn the Delran drum .030" OVER the ID of the rings. When frozen, the Delran shrank so that the rings would slip on. When the Delran warmed up and expanded, the rings were secured in place.

The flathead nylon screws, located in conical notches on the sides of the rings are a belt and suspenders approach to make sure that nothing ever moves.

Re: Slip Rings

Two e-mails from Cape International in the UK (their web-page is https://www.cape-international.com/) - not inexpensive:

**********************************************************
First:
We launched our collapsible column a few years ago, we fit one to every ‘CapeSport’ car and they are used in many road and race cars alike.

A full kit includes a new shorter lower box and a collapsible upper section. We also supply a universal joint, upper column bracket and a quick release steering wheel boss and aftermarket wheel adaptor so you can use one of our 9 hole 100S or Derrington wheels (not included).

The installation usually allows 25 – 30 cms of compression, the upper column is manufactured by a leading motorsport specialist to our specification.

The quick release wheel boss is ‘similar’ to an F1 release mech, it allows excellent access to wiring behind the dashboard and a very thorough anti-theft device!

A complete kit is £1850 exc tax/shipping.

If your box is in perfect condition we can offer an upper kit only, HOWEVER, your column will require modification which should only be carried our by a professional machining shop.

******************************************************
Second (I'd asked about just the upper portion):
Doug – Not wanting to sound like a salesman but 65K is a reasonable distance and its not far off its 50th birthday.

However that doesn’t mean to say yours is not ok.

Firstly check that there is no free-play at the steering wheel when pointing dead-ahead.

If there is some free-play then tighten the adjustor at the box until its gone.

Now turn the steering full lock L & R – any tightening during this process indicates that the worm is worn.

Loosening the adjustor will cure this but most certainly re-introduce slack at dead-ahead which was never the idea + with correct geometry the steering should self-centre.

If you are happy that yours is fine then the upper kit is £1050 exc tax/shipping.

***********************************88

Doug,
I'm working out the design for a collapsible intermediate shaft with a through hole so we can use our original stator tube/trafficator without modification. Interested? Not sure of the pricing yet, but I think it will be under $500 in parts and would require cutting and welding two couplings to jump the new telescopic shaft in the middle.
rich

Rich - the quick answer to 'interested' is 'yup!. Willing to purchase? Ah, now that is another question! One of the concerns (to me) of any mods to steering/braking is ensuring that it'll work and not fail. The long answer is - I'd be willing to purchase. It would be great if the trafficator could be retained.

You mentioned hearing back from Allen - could you perhaps incorporate his reply into this thread?

I didn't really understand his description the first read through, but it makes sense now - I'll spend a few minutes reading the Borgeson catalogue this evening https://www.borgeson.com/Images/09Catalog.pdf

Thanks - Doug

A final note from Cape-International regards retaining the trafficator with their collapsible column:

"Unfortunately it doesn’t. The nature of the collapsible design removes this option.

We sell a column mounted stalk which controls signals, horn and high beam/spotlamp flash – price £44.20 exc.

It has wiring loom and easy connect plug for connection.

Our trimmers create a leather gaiter around the stalk mechanism – pictures attached.

I hope this answers your questions + we have everything in stock for immediate dispatch.

Regards - Steve"

Doug,
Here's Allen's reply minus the contact info for DB Enterprises in CT:

<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">"Hi, Richard. You could have Don do the job, and the parts are all available, but you have to be very precise in determining the finished length of the steering column as fitted to your chassis. I don't know what he would charge you, but you can speak with him directly.

You probably are better off anticipating that the trafficator will not function as before. I created a prototype which worked but it had some problems in terms of long-term reliability. If you do this, you would most likely have to have an under-dash toggle for the turn signals and a small horn pus</span>h."</span>

He basically used Borgeson's telescopic column and couplings. Since that column is a 3/4" solid rod he lost the use of the trafficator. Otherwise it works well. My solution is to use the exact same design, but upsize the rod and sleeve enough to safely accomodate a 1/2" center bored hole. That way the original trafficator/stator tube can still slide through the middle. I've got manufacturer contacts who can make this for me. If others want one, I'll order more.

I suppose we'll just need a few people willing to try it, then front end crash their Healeys to confirm it prevents impalement....any volunteers?

Rich