We get the theory, Bill, but the DeLorean rack is soft mounted in all planes except along its axis. What difference has the coupling actually *made* to the driving experience? Martin Sent from my BlackBerry® -----Original Message----- From: "content22207" <brobertson@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sender: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:45:09 To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Reply-To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [DML] Flexible Steering Couplings: Theory of Operation Theory of operation of steering flex couplings: As long as there are uninterrupted hard couplings from the front rims to the steering wheel, it is physically impossible to isolate the steering wheel from whatever vibrations the front rims experience. That is why flexible steering couplings were invented in the first place (in the 1920's roads were even worse than they are now), and that is why flexible steering couplings are still in use to this very day. The only way to isolate the steering wheel is to "break the circuit" as it were. Until a vibration resistant link is introduced into the chain, vibrations will continue to be transmitted from one end to the other. It's the same principle as breaking an electrical circuit. Rubber mounts on the steering rack will not break the chain any more than a wire grommet will break an electrical circuit. Front rim vibrations still travel uninterrupted through the knuckles, tie rods, rack, U joints, and steering column to the steering wheel. Same with sway bar and control arm bushings: good condition bushings will certainly reduce front rim vibrations, but whatever vibrations remain will still travel uninterrupted from the rims to the steering wheel. The only way to isolate the steering wheel is to break the chain. That is the theory of operation. Most car and truck manufacturers subscribe to it. Bill Robertson #5939 ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/