| Author | Message | ||
| Ben B. Wolff (Ben_mc7)
Registered Member Username: Ben_mc7 Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2007 Posted From: 24.26.1.128 Rating: N/A |
It has been some time since I beleive I saw someone refering to a rack and pinion steering retrofit. Am I imagining this or was it so long ago that it no longer appears if you do a search of the system? Does anyone here remember such an upgrade? If so, who or what repair service is doing it? Mine is an MC7, 1972 | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 152 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.226.200 Rating: |
I believe the steering system you're looking for is an "Integral" steering. The box is similar to an automotive unit with all the power boost systems in the box. Loses the draglink assist cylinder and should steer more precisely. Sam Caylor in Rantoul, KS retrofits the units. Luke at US Coach in New Jersey may also make this modification. The steering box mount must be altered, which requires quality welding. I'm unaware of a "rack and pinion" steering system for a bus...it may indeedy exist? If your kingpins, tie rod ends, tires, drag link ends, steering box, tag axle bushings, and airbags are all in good condition, the bus should drive pretty good even with the old style steering. If any of the above (less steering box) are not in good condition, the bus won't steer well no matter what box you have. JR | ||
| Ednj (Ednj)
Registered Member Username: Ednj Post Number: 156 Registered: 3-2003 Posted From: 67.85.229.237 Rating: N/A |
Ben, Are you refering to Installing integral power steering ? if so check these out. http://users.cwnet.com/~thall/fredhobe2.htm http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/6659.html#POST42188 | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Freightliner just came out with their own rack and pinion steering for big trucks. It simply mounts between the springs and axle squeezed together and held by the positioning pins and Ubolts of the axle. Then has a 3 piece U jointed shaft going to it with the power steering hydraulic lines attached. You then have the steering on the axle eliminating mounting to the frame with all the torquing that happens, eliminate the drag link and eliminate the cross tie rod. You have only the rods at either end going to the wheels with screw adjustments for toe. Very simple and effective-but-don't know if it could be used on a bus with air suspension components in the way. As far as I know, this is the only rack and pinion steering offered for straight axles. ZF and Meritor make independent air suspensions for buses that have rack and pinion built into them for OEM new applications. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Harry Gerritse (Tinlizzy)
Registered Member Username: Tinlizzy Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2003 Posted From: 205.206.94.175 Rating: N/A |
It can be done really cheap by yourself. You need someone that can weld. Freightliner box and shorten shaft on the column. We have done 4 coaches this way and it works great!! no more see sawing back and forth to keep it straight Harry |
