Steering box shorter ratios?

[DanTurboLancer]

Question for the folks in racing.

Has anyone had, or have a shorter ratio steering box in their Lancer?
(Less turns of the steering wheel to go lock to lock)

Can you buy them?
Can I get some gears made to put into my steering box?

Cheers Dan

[A112H]

I will be very interested in the outcome of this question. I would like some for the Galant.

[BIG26L]

Never found a need for it with my race cars or road cars...........
I would suggest there was probably a special box done for the factory rally cars, but don't quote me on that.
The datsun boys shorten the steering arms for the same result.

[webby]

Shortening the steering arms gives you more steering lock with the same amount of turns lock-to-lock, not a shorter steering ratio
It's a fairly common mod amongst the Corolla boys too, most of whom are drifters so more lock is always a good thing

[Superscan811]

With a shorter pitman and idler arm, you would need to turn the steering wheel more to get the same amount of steering lock = lighter steering.

BTW: BOTH the pitman and idler arm would have to be changed otherwise the front wheels won't move in sync.

Cheers.

[cheaterparts]

With a shorter pitman and idler arm, you would need to turn the steering wheel more to get the same amount of steering lock = lighter steering.

BTW: BOTH the pitman and idler arm would have to be changed otherwise the front wheels won't move in sync.

wrong arms Scott - you leave the idle and pitman arms alone

myself I haven't found the need for less lock to lock - maybe drifting you may

[astronturbo77]

not the idler or pitman arms ,its the knuckles they cut n shut.

[krohny]

you may be able to find a variable pitch box that will bolt up.. it gives more response closer to full lock though so it may not really be of any use

[Superscan811]

maybe drifting you may

You wouldn't be referring to my little "tour" on the way home last weekend would you?

[A112H]

The idea of the drift adjustments is to give more lock, so the front wheels turn like a forklift, allowing you to control much bigger slide angles.
What I was interested in is less turns lock to lock. At the moment the Galant is about 5 turns from fully left to fully right, the Wifes MX5 is only 3. Makes it much sharper turning in and more like a kart
So I guess what I wanted to know, and I think Dan did too, is there a way to alter our boxes to reduce lock to lock? Or, is there a replacement box that uses less lock to lock?

[pistorf]

by shortening the knuckles,you are acheiving more movement for a given amount of movement at the steering wheel.
It all comes down to leverage. You will get more lock,but you will get that a lot quicker.

[krohny]

also the shorter you make them the harder it will be to turn, have fun parking the bad boy

[DanTurboLancer]

That is true Krohny, but mine isnt a daily driver so it isnt a great concern for me.

What I was interested in is less turns lock to lock. At the moment the Galant is about 5 turns from fully left to fully right, the Wifes MX5 is only 3. Makes it much sharper turning in and more like a kart
So I guess what I wanted to know, and I think Dan did too, is there a way to alter our boxes to reduce lock to lock? Or, is there a replacement box that uses less lock to lock?

Yes that was what i was thinking too.
However getting back to Krohny comment, im guessing the MX5 would be Power steer, so it would be much lighter with the harder ratio...

Maybe the Rally cars can use it as they are on dirt, and moving constantly?

I was just interested in if anyone had used one, and if we cold get them?

Faster response to fight oversteer would be handy but too

[HoonBoy]

Stock ratio on a road, circuit and rally car are fine unless you have a big diameter steering wheel or something wrong with your front end geometry reducing turn in.

[cheaterparts]

Faster response to fight oversteer would be handy but too

dial out the oversteer makes more sence

just a thought

[caboonatlarge]

Ive used a 1800GSR EX lancer steering box.Gives slightly less turns (maybe 2 turns less lock to lock), but really hasnt made the car any better on the track.I doubt you would ever find any 1800GSR bits in ozzy.I found that replacing all my ball joints etc and getting a new wheel alignment made the most difference.

[stealth]

dial out the oversteer makes more sence

just a thought

i would have to agree with that !
or learn to drive a weapon !
cheers stealth

[astronturbo77]

dan- i plan on trying cut and shut knuckles (yes i know its dangerous to cut and weld them) and hopefully if i like it i will machine some knuckles up.

[DanTurboLancer]

Thanks all,
im getting the picture that it can be overcome with suspension and steering adjustments.
But thanks for your input!

learn to drive a weapon !
cheers stealth

HAHA yeah thanks mate, ill have to harden up hey

dan- i plan on trying cut and shut knuckles (yes i know its dangerous to cut and weld them) and hopefully if i like it i will machine some knuckles up.

Why not run a Die down the thread, and try cutting say a half an inch of thread off one Tie rod, on each sides
outer Tie rod for example.
Then run the die back off the thread to clean it up.
You will have made some allowance for extra Toe out and wont have to cut and weld?

Or are you trying to get toe in??

[astronturbo77]

hang on a second, not trying to be rude but the knuckles are the 3 bolt cast bit under the strut, and you change the length between the center of the strut to the tie rod pivoit. creates quicker movement for the same amount of lock. my starion runs 1.5mm toe out overall on the front, for better turn in as its always wanting to turn into a corner, very noticable with the other mods.

[DanTurboLancer]

Oh sorry mate, ive never heard of this??
Im keen to learn more about what you are referring to.

I thought you meant shortening the Tie rod arms to give you abit more toe out than you could get through standard adjustment.

[astronturbo77]

so basically the length from the bottom of the strut to the tie rod end is shorter for quicker movment. i would suggest increasing the front track, its well worth it.