Grant I'm trying to work out several issues at the same time, and getting the steering right seems one of the most crucial.
I'm still debating IFS versus straight axle, and had almost decided straight axle was the right answers, but now I'm reconsidering. Steering, disk brakes, and clearance for a big block, are the issues I'm trying to coordinate.
My approach to minimizing bump steer with the straight axle is to try to make sure the drag link or tie rod moves exactly parallel to the movement of the axle (horizontally and vertically).
If when going straight down the road the pitman arm was at the same distance from the steering rod as the spring mount is from the axle, and the line described by the drag link was both parallel and on the same plain as as one drawn from the spring pivot to the axle, then I should not have any bump steer, or at least very little.
The distance from the centerline of the axle where it meets the spring to the front shackle bolt is 19 inches. If I put the steering box 19 inches ahead of the pivot point on the stock steering arm, I'm mounting it the same place as the spring mount. Not insurmountable, but not as clean as I'd like.
But since the shackle is at the front it allows the position of one of the points on the plain to shift around, there doesn't seem to be a way to make that work.
I've almost convinced myself to go back to the IFS approach. I think that way at least I have no questions about the steering...
Last edited by OldSub; 07/06/2008 2:17 AM. Reason: clarify and spell...
