Are driveshaft angles and steering column angles related? I don't know how to post a link, but if you go to you tube and put in 'drive shaft velocity' there is a short two minute video demonstrating the effects of out of phase and off angle u-joint installations. I have always fairly well understood the basics of proper driveshaft installation but this video amazed me. I just watched this video as I was taking a break while working on installing the steering column in my almost ready hot rod. It occured to me that my steering column, which has three u-joints in it, while not turning as fast as a driveshaft would suffer the same effect, making for erratic steering. I have always paid attention to phasing and angles when installing driveshafts, but never when building steering columns and never seemed to have any problems. BUT, the effect has to be there and maybe all those cars in the past would have driven better if I had paid attention to the phasing and angles of the steering column. What do you guys think? Too*****? Thinking too much?
U joints are U joints, no matter where they are. The steering shaft turns slowly, but the phasing is still important.
The instructions that come with most aftermarket steering columns tell you how to phase the u-joints. Most also tell you the maximum angle for a joint is 30 degrees. If you use more than two joints you must use a support bearing.
Phasing is important on steering joints, otherwise binding can occur. I don't believe angles are that critical as long as you don't exceed about 30 degrees, which is the spec from most joint manufacturers. Use good quality needle bearing joints, and a support bearing if you have more than two joints to prevent "noodling". Don't cut corners on steering and braking components, no mater how limited your budget may be! There is some good information on the Borgeson web site, I think it's under the tech section.
Phase the U-joints, don't exeed max angles for your joints, but the angles don't have to even out like on a driveshaft.
While I won't denounce phasing to not important it is not very critical in steering shafts do to the very low speed of rotation and only the end joints need be in phase, all in between [whether 1 or 10] can be in any orientation....Many cars only have one u-joint [guess which ones] and while there is some velocity change between trans out put shaft and drive shaft at more than 0° angle up to 5° or so is not detrimental [normal use]; but I bet the old East Coast Rake and heavy right foot did a few joints in....
Here is a link to the video (or at least similar to the one described). I think the question was a good one, although my guess is that steering is normally done in such small increments that it doesn't really matter. http://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/2014/07/26/video-driveshaft-angle-and-phasing/
This is another of many threads in which some people insist that doing something in opposition to known engineering priciples is OKAY because, "by gawd, I did it and survived just fine!" It must be really painful for those folks to 'fess up and say, "well, I apparently didn't know enough about what I was doing and now I've learned there is more to it than I realized at the time" Rather than benefit from the new insight, they feel compelled to defend their approach because it didn't result in mayhem and death...yet. On the other hand, they never offer any compelling reason to NOT do it right.....because there isn't any. Do you also set your engine timing several degrees off ideal "because it runs, even with incorrect timing" or disregard front end alignment because "it still goes where I point it"??? You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him think.
I think that ideally the u joints in the column should be phased and angled correctly. Other wise you would get the fast- slow effect at the wheels. I think that vxt1800 is right in that steering is normally done in small increments, so you would never notice it. The only time you crank on the wheel that hard is in a parking lot. That being said I think a correct installation or as close as you can get is worth striving for.
I'm with Hnstray - 'you can't fix stupid' - just because it hasn't happened yet does not mean it may not if you fly in the face of proven engineering fact. While we are about it, do not use pin and block welded U joints for street use steering. It weakens the joints by 30%.
Some perspective so you guys don't get lost. Your drive shaft will spin 120,000 rotations in one hour at 60 mph. You'll likely not ever reach 120,000 revolutioms of the steering column in the life of the car. U joint theory applies to u joints no matter where they are, no matter how big or small.
""Your drive shaft will spin 120,000 rotations in one hour at 60 mph. "" 270,000 or so in a Crosley..
My first hot rod I built, the steering column was out of phase. It was noticeably locking up on R. H. turns. I pulled it apart, saw my mistake, and quickly corrected it. Should have read and reread directions.
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