richyo
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| posted on 17/9/03 at 07:40 AM |
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steering column extension
Hi all,
Been reading this forum for a long time now and found it very helpful. I now am stuck and am looking for some advice.
I would like to know how to extend the steering column ie between the donor (sierra) column and the Escort rack. The book is kind of vague. Any advice
or photos would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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JoelP
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| posted on 17/9/03 at 11:07 AM |
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On the standard sierra set up, the bottom of the top part is trianguar, with a clamp and universal joint to the lower section. If you cut the lower
section in two, you can insert the ends into some 3/4inch round tube (16 or 18guage), and hence use the tube as an extension (welded in...).
I don't know about extending the upper section. Some people have also added additonal universal joints, but i managed with just the extension
tube. Sorry, no photos cos im a cheapskate...!
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 17/9/03 at 06:14 PM |
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Don't play around with the triangular part of the column. Extend the lower part only - I used a power lower column because it is not a cast part
and can be welded without problems - however you will need the lower clamp from a manual lower column to match the escort rack. The CV joint at the
bottom is riveted and will need to be drilled out and replaced with bolts to change the CV joint (rubber disc with 4 holes!)
 
Rescued attachment Sierra Column4.JPG
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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JoelP
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| posted on 17/9/03 at 08:23 PM |
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Is it essential to change the rubber ring for a proper UJ? Mine is very bent but still works quite well.
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 17/9/03 at 09:28 PM |
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The rubber ring is essentially the CV joint, if its OK use it again, you cannot buy it separately fron Ford
If you can keep you head, whilst all others around you are losing theirs, you are not fully aware of the situation
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craig1410
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| posted on 15/11/03 at 07:02 PM |
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Gents (and ladies),
Can I just confirm with you that 19mm x 16swg non-CDS tubing (as used for the back of the chassis) is suitable for use as a steering column downlink
extension. It says in the "book" to use tubing of 1/8inch wall thickness (see page 68 2nd edition book, fourth paragraph). I can get CDS
of all sorts of sizes and wall thicknesses from Metal Supermarkets and I am going there soon anyway so if 16swg is not "ideal" then what
is? Obviously I want to retain the internal diameter which matches the sierra downlink so that they will slip together nicely but I can go for
3/4", 7/8" or even 1 inch outside diameter tubing with corresponding wall thickness if 16swg is too light.
Advice appreciated as always!
Craig.
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kingr
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| posted on 17/11/03 at 09:46 AM |
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I know I'll be using rather heavier gauge than 18 or 16 - it'll add weight but there's some things that it's just not worth
worrying about weight for, one of the being steering. As I read on someone's website - if you've got brakes but no steering, you're
probably going to go into the tree that your car chooses, whereas if you've got steering but no brakes, at least you can pick the tree!
Kingr
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mackie
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| posted on 17/11/03 at 10:52 AM |
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I choose the sapling with the large expanse of gravel infront of it! 
Has anyone heard of modified racks failing and breaking in half?
When I got hit up the rear by an OAP in a Micra a guy at the repair place told me about a focus they'd had in. It had offside frontal damage,
but they didn't spot any steering problems, but a few weeks later the rack broke and the poor lady nearly died.
It'd be nice to put a modded and umodded rack on a big pulling machine to test the tesile strength.
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JoelP
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| posted on 17/11/03 at 12:46 PM |
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i dunno about other modded racks, but mine wouldnt do very well as it is just slotted together, the mounting bolts are all that holds it together!
seems ok though.
i personally wouldnt worry about using 16 gauge tube for the extension, its gonna take a bucket full of force to twist it in two. The weld is the
important bit...
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craig1410
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| posted on 17/11/03 at 01:02 PM |
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Kingr,
Yes I think I'll just get something a bit heavier to be safe. I plan to fabricate it along the lines which Mark Allanson recommended a while
back and something like 2.5mm wall tubing should give it a good bit more strength than 16swg or 18swg. I agree that it's just not worth worrying
about...
Cheers,
Craig.
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