| Power steering revisited |  |  | |
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Posted by: Ken Merring ® 2001/09/06, 02:14:03 Author Profile |
...On my 73 GT, I have power and with 235-14 tires on the front, it would be pretty hard to live without. The original tires was a small tire patch on the road and so one could live with manual. Front alignment makes quite a difference in how the steering feels. A good amount of caster will make the car stable and easier steer and control when driving but harder yet to park. Air pressure will make a difference,if a softer ride is desired then harder steering will result etc. Consider that a compromise must be made that will be acceptable.
...There is another dynamic that can create funny actions in this type of power steering. Consider how the steering box input causes the power cylinder to operate either direction. The ball stud is mounted between spring loaded cups and controls the directional flow of the fluid. Suppose that a front suspension problem were to try to cause the linkage to move (like a shimmy). Now the the ball stud is made to (modulate) the directional flow (like steering in reverse),this action has a tendency to magnfi the effect of the shimmy as the power cylinder doesn't know where the control signal is coming from and can try to make a small movement the add to the effect even more. Keeping tire quality, balance, brake action equal and no loose ball joints, upper and lower arms,strut rod rubber mounts will allow this steering system both manual and power to give a good account of its self. ...Each of us will have our likes, dislikes and opinions about what is personally satisfactory for steering. Thats what helps make America. I wouldn't want another person like me running around the world anyway. ..Ken ...Ken |
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