Technical Anyone ever use a Pinto flexible steering shaft?

Years ago when I was trying to build hot rods like many of you guys the junk yard was where I got the majority of parts, I was looking for a few parts early on Saturday morning and I ran across a Pinto Flax shaft, Ed the junkyard owner told me it's just good for s**** and I could have it for 5 bucks.

I ended up making it work and it worked great, it flexed around the drivers side exhaust and was still in use when I sold the car (Model A sedan).

I don't think I would use one now but then I used a lot of what some would consider sketchy by todays standards, this car was powered by a Buick V6 and a 65 Mustang rear axle, the car actually ran great and was a good driver.
HRP

 

Yup - I used one of these in an early rebuild of my '34 Plymouth coupe, coupled with a Corvair front suspension back in the '70's. It got replaced during one of my subsequent suspension upgrades to the Plymouth (the green car in my avatar). I wouldn't use one today but it did the job back then.

 

I know for a fact that they can go 8.63 @ 157 in a 72 Camaro without a problem...

 

We just pulled one out of an old build. We called it the Snuffleupagus because it looked like an elephant's trunk. Went right into s**** metal bin.

 

I had a Model A built in the 1970's. It had Pinto engine, transmission and rear axle. GM tilt column. Corvair front suspension with the front steer Pinto rack.
The Pinto flex steer connected the GM column to the Pinto rack.
There were very few aftermarket parts available for these builds. But reused OEM parts proved to be very well engineered and provided many trouble-free miles.

Later, when I installed a rear steer rack, I used aftermarket U-joints and DD shafts.

 

Yes ,
& rather have cable then
Steer By Wire !!

 

I used one in the late 1970s on my 1930 Chevy. Worked fine but, I have to agree, I don't think I would use one now.

 

I saw a model A that had a simple steering column made from a tube that was bent upwards at the end for better wheel position. asked the guy how he did it and he said it was a secret.. probably bought the car done and had no idea. I bet it was one of these things

 

The early Pinto’s used them. I s****ped one in the late 70’s while in high school. I thought they were unique but never used it. Back then steering universals weren’t easy to come by I initially used some out of an Opel.

 

Oh hell no!

 

I did a google, but didn’t get any real information.

What were they made of that allowed them to flex?

 

My Dad used one in his 33 tudor back in the 70’s.

 

AND? Why would you fellows NOT use them now?

Ben

 

Tightly wound steel cable, very similar to that used on bridges except much smaller. HRP

This is what I found.

Inside the Flexible Shaft

• Laminated Cable Core: The inside consists of a thick, multi-stranded braided steel cable designed to twist and transmit rotational torque from the steering wheel to the rack and pinion. [1, 2, 3]
• Outer Housing: A durable, sealed protective sleeve or conduit surrounds the inner cable, often packed with grease to reduce friction and wear.
• End Fittings: The ends of the flexible cable feature square or splined metal tips crimped or welded on to securely lock into the steering column on one end and the rack and pinion input shaft on the other.

 

@HOTRODPRIMER thanks, I re-googled it seems the first time I neglected to use “flexible” in the search.

 

A smaller version of basically the 63' tempest rope driveshaft....



...

 

Used one in a race car that ran 10s. I think they are pretty good in a lightweight car. The only reason to not consider them now would be age (hidden corrosion). If you saw how well they handled the slightest movement and angles along with load, they were probably a bit over engineered for the OE use.

 

freakin' things actually did work. I used one, looked like a snake, but worked great for years. Alternative was maybe 5-6 ujoints.

 

If they were problematic, I'm sure we would have heard by now. Actually, a pretty clever idea. Different doesn't automatically mean scary...

Didn't they use smaller versions for some weedeater head drive cables and shift cables for some exotic rear engine cars (before electronics)?

 

Same principle as a speedometer cable. Look how long those things last.

 

Never used one, but I've had a couple in a box for 30 yrs or so, probably better than some of the cheap joints out there.

 

Funny - but I had a '63 Tempest with 326 and auto-transaxle, and had to replace the transaxle. I can ***ure you the driveshaft was a solid spring-steel shaft.
Secrets of the 1961 Pontiac Tempest Rope Drive - Mac's Motor City GarageMac's Motor City Garage

 

I actually researched using a flexible shaft from McMaster-Carr #6426K233, but everyone I talked to told me I was nuts. Turns out I didn't need it but I always wondered how it would have worked. If they used it in a Pinto it must have satisfied the Fed's so why not.

 

My Model A handled like a slot car, the steering was really quick. HRP

 

The early Ford Pinto's weighed in at around 2000 lbs, it was considered a light car, now compare that to your 1946 woody, it weighs roughly 3,700 lbs, the 1700 lBS extra may have over taxed the flex shaft.. then again it may have worked like a champ. who knows? HRP

 

I had a string trimmer with that type of drive. Maybe Echo?, I don’t recall.
It was a beast until the drive bound up, but it was only 3/8th thick at most.

 

I would bet your right. HRP

 

Ford lost faith in them and recalled them. I think I've still got a few in the barn somewhere from when I worked for Ford.

 

That's what I remember hearing as well. I think they were only used in the earliest couple of years of the Pintos.

 

The only recall regarding steering on the Pinto was in 1974 and was related to improper ***embly, not the flexible shaft.

Defect
ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE STEERING COUPLING FLANGE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ***EMBLED AND COULD LOOSEN DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.

What the manufacturer will do
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING COUPLING FLANGE ***EMBLY.

Notes
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: P***ENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STEERING; STEERING COUPLING FLANGE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: AS A RESULT, THE STEERING COUPLING FLANGE COULD SLIP ONTHE STEERING INPUT SHAFT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OFSTEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: STEERING FLANGE SLIPPAGE IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR UNDER HIGH STEERINGEFFORT CONDITIONS.