Re: [DML] More Fuel on the Flexible Steering Coupling Fire

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Flexible steering couplings reduce transmission of road vagaries to your hands on the steering wheel only. They do not affect overall vehicle ride. Flexible couplings keep the steering wheel smooth and steady no matter what kind of pavement, or lack thereof, the wheels are traveling over.

Just like the flexible coupling in a Rover SD1, the one I put in #5939's column worked perfectly for the task intended. Unfortunately the input shaft of a DeLorean steering rack is pointed towards the driver fender, not straight back towards the firewall. This caused the flexible coupling to deflect towards the high side A/C hose as the U joints went through their wild gyrations (as pointed out in Message #85253, the lower U joint really twists and torques as the column rotates). I did not trust it not to eventually hit my A/C hose and damage it, so I pulled the Borgeson column out and put the factory column back in for DCS. I am not driving to Florida without A/C. 

Tomorrow I will order a vibration reducing U joint from Borgeson. In theory it works as well as a traditional rag joint (it certainly can't work *WORSE*, from a vibration isolation standpoint, than an OEM U joint). I will reuse one of the standard U joints and the new vibration reducing U joint to make another lower steering column with a solid shaft that can't deflect towards the A/C hose between them.

Just like the U joints advertised by Houston and Martin, Borgeson's U joints have sealed bearings. Borgeson's connecting shafts are nearly 50% larger diameter than an OEM lower column. And of course you have the option of all stainless construction (Borgeson also sells carbon steel construction for about 20% lower price). I am bringing the removed column to DCS if anyone wants to see what the components look like first hand.

Had there been enough clearance to locate a flexible coupling at the end of the column (most likely adjacent to the *UPPER* U joint -- it contorts much less than the lower U joint) it probably would have worked without threat to the A/C hose. 

I am blazing new territory here. Some trial and error is to be expected. By next weekend I will know if the second attempt is a finalized long term solution, in which case I will have what is likely the only DeLorean in the world with a vibration isolated steering wheel (just like nearly every other car of its era, as well as decades preceding and following).

Bill Robertson
#5939


--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Farrar Hudkins <fhudkins@...> wrote:
>
> I thought your point was that you installed one on your car. ;)
> 
> How's that going, by the way? Noticed a change in the ride much?
> 
> Farrar Hudkins
> #2613
> 




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