<VV> Steering woes cont.

[James Cuneo]

Seth, Thanks for the response. Steering wheel is the original black plastic on telescoping column, not the sport, metal, plastic wood wheel. The "goofy bump" you mention, is that the bumping i feel in a sharp low speed turn? I assume the non standard steering geometry no longer has the wheels in proper alignment when turned sharply and they are dragging against each other in the turn? Will try to find a pair of factory quick arms.Happy New Year,Jim

From: Sethracer at aol.com
Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2013 13:51:49 -0500
Subject: Re: <VV> Steering woes cont.
To: jamescuneo at hotmail.com; ronh at owt.com; virtualvairs at corvair.org






James - After re-reading your original response, I think you have hit the 
"Trifecta" of hard steering. Chevy sold the "quick-steering" option back in 
1965-69 with the (tiny-hard) OEM tires and a 16" diameter steering wheel. The 
option included "shorter", but not short, steering arms as well as the faster 
ratio box. Except for racers, I don't recommend the quick box -either the 
factory one or the Flaming River one, be used with aftermarket quick arms. 
Aside from the goofy bump and Akerman issues of the short arms, the steering 
effort rises a bunch. Coupled with wider stickier tires, lower 
backspace wheels (deep dish), and (maybe?) a smaller steering wheel, you have 
made a case for power steering for the Corvair, the American car 
which should need it the least! <grin> The lower tire pressures can 
only make it even harder to steer. I have had a car which worked well with 12 
psi in the front tires. It was my 1000 lb Lola  Formula race car. 
I don't know the exact weight on a front wheel, but I could squat down and lift 
a wheel off the ground, and I am not that strong. Both the tire and the car were 
designed for that pressure. About the 12 psi in a street driven car, I would be 
worried, not about the ride, which would probably become rougher with increased 
pressure, I would be worried about a tire coming off the rim. 12 PSI is not safe 
(in my opinion). You might also look into higher backspace wheels, that would 
lessen the impact of poor roads onto your steering wheel, since it would direct 
shock load more into the suspension, rather than the steering.
 
-Seth Emerson