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Collapsible Steering Columns

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anthony7777

Yoda
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in the early 70's while going to college,{yes keoke i went] i had a part time job dispatching a tow truck service on staten island n.y., part of the job was to generally assess the damage when wrecks were brought in and sign off as to the condition when they arrived back at the shop,you can imagine some of this stuff was rather gruesome,even with the advent of collapsible steering linkage it was evident that a tremendous amount of energy was transferred to the steering column,hence my query,has anyone installed the collapsible set up supplied by outfits such as dennis welch and others? is it difficult to do?im just trying to avoid a really bad headache!thanks guys.anthony7777 1963 bj7 300 M.K.II /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Hi Anthony, I don't know about them foreign "DW"things.However, the small Volvos have had a collapible steering collum in them for years. So with a small bit of imagination ,welding and a visit to the junk yard, should cure your headache.---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: steering wheel headach

keoke,thanks ive seen them someplace,maybe not d.w but they were designed for a healey,moss maybe?check you pm. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Cape International carries them as well as Denis Cape's web site Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Anthony - did you ever find something suitable for a collapsible steering column installation in a Big Healey, as I would like to make that upgrade: taht 6 ft long spear aimed at my chest is somewhat disconcerting.

Thanks,

Doug
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Anthony

Most like DW use a knuckle joint, that while okay do not absorb a straight head on impact effectively, also you loose the function of the trafficator.

I did see a new take on it at Ahead4healeys, they use a swedish guy that puts a splined sleeve inside with a flexi cover over that makes it look stock, the stator tube is also sleeved so you can still use the trafficator.

Its a different take on the problem and again probbaly has issues on the length of absorbment.

Its on their home page, no financial interest blah - blah

Andy
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Actually, with the front of the steering column in its position on the front inside of the chassis rails/shock tower, very firmly affixed, with a 600 lb engine and gearbox acting as a sympathetic mass, the chance of the column sheering off the chassis and spearing your chest is pretty low. If it does sheer off and get you, chances are the accident would be so severe you'd get it anyway, with or without collapsible steering.

My feeling is to stay away from this... but if absolutely necessary why not just go for rack and pinion?
 
Re: steering wheel headach

By the way, any word on Keoke? It would be nice to see him in here again.
 
Re: steering wheel headach

twas brillig, no i have not installed any type of impact device to my steering set up but is still something im kicking around, the problem i see is what has been mentioned here, the loss of the trafficator.
 
Re: steering wheel headach

I have a knuckle joint welded in my steering column and secured the remaining part just behind the steering box so the steering box can't swivel around its mountingpoint.

Healeynut suggested rack and pinion. I'm thinking of this conversion, quicker steering response, more feeling in the steering wheel, better control, etc. Has somebody experience with such a conversion?
 
Re: steering wheel headach

RIGHT NOW, I am the middle of installing a R&P in my big Healey.

TimsRack4.jpg


I have done a LOT of research on how to properly place and mount the R&P to minimize suspension and bump-steer problems.

Feel free to contact me out of forum if you want more information.

Tim - timm(at)healey.org

PS - The engine will be pulled and the entire engine compartment will be cleaned and painted B4 the sheet metal goes back on.
 
Re: steering wheel headach

healeynut said:
Actually, with the front of the steering column in its position on the front inside of the chassis rails/shock tower, very firmly affixed, with a 600 lb engine and gearbox acting as a sympathetic mass, the chance of the column sheering off the chassis and spearing your chest is pretty low. If it does sheer off and get you, chances are the accident would be so severe you'd get it anyway, with or without collapsible steering.

My feeling is to stay away from this... but if absolutely necessary why not just go for rack and pinion?
Click to expand...
I'd seen a few wrecked Healeys come in when I worked at Austin-Healey West (San Francisco, circa 1978-79).

The top of the steering column/steering wheel was usually around the area of the top of seat backrest, so it definately does intrude into the passenger compartment.

None of these cars were in fatal accidents, so the drivers must've had the wherewithal to duck to the side impending impact.
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Wouldn't an after-market wood wheel distrubute the impact and do less dammage than the original, flimsy banjo type?
 
Re: steering wheel headach

On a stock adjustable column, where there is no steering nut, I wouldn't think it would matter. The force of your body being thrown forward could push the wheel forward exposing the column. But then, I used to paraglide.
 
Re: steering wheel headach

anthony7777 said:
the problem i see is what has been mentioned here, the loss of the trafficator.
Click to expand...

Anthony,

You don't lose the trafficator (hub turn signal switch) you only lose the Self Cancelling-after-turn function.

It can still be in the wheel hub and engage properly, but you have to reach down and cancel it manually.

Tim
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Cottontop said:
anthony7777 said:
the problem i see is what has been mentioned here, the loss of the trafficator.
Click to expand...

Anthony,

You don't lose the trafficator (hub turn signal switch) you only lose the Self Cancelling-after-turn function.

It can still be in the wheel hub and engage properly, but you have to reach down and cancel it manually.

Tim
Click to expand...

Tim -

Technically not true. The trafficator will spin around when you turn the wheel - it is fixed at the front of the steering box on all Healeys. That in turn will put stress on the wires - not a good solution.

The Ahead 4 healeys solution should work, but looks expensive.
 
Re: steering wheel headach

Hi Alan,

What was it I said that was "Technically not true" that your post corrected ?

As I followed the thread, Anthony (and perhaps others?) seemed concerned that adding a crushable or "Z" section to the steering shaft would delink the trafficator from the steering box clamp nut, therefore rendering the trafficator ususable.

I am now in the process of switching to a Rack & Pinion steering unit and as such, adding two staggered U-Joints to the steering column will delink the trafficator from the steering box.

That will indeed cause the trafficator to spin with the steering wheel, HOWEVER, the trafficator will still operate the horn and turn dignal mechanisms. Neither function nor location need be lost.

As far as turning the wheel putting stress on the wires, there are several ways around that.

Tim
 
Re: steering wheel headach

just use what the early landrovers had, a rubber wheel that cancelled etc while inj contact with the outside tube, KISS technology
 
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