Hot Rods Help: Forward steering Ackerman issue.

^^^^^. I liked that long reply! Makes things I’m not really up on, very understandable.

 

Is there a future reason that you can't take what you have and swap the steering arms to the back of the axle? From what you sent I see no reason. Looks like you have the space for that. Tell us why not please...

 

Yes, give us a clear front photo and explain why you can’t move the arms to the back where they belong.

And, in your topside pics it seems your arms are very short. Not sure if that has an affect on the steering quality, but maybe a nice side pic of those would be helpful too.

 

Yes it does no matter what side of Axle center the arms are on. It's about leverage and travel. Short means a lot of leverage to make things move. Now your going to mess with the Pitman arm to get a little help. It's a Math formula really. One adjustment in length means another part pays the effect.

 

I've always wondered if manufacturers of 2WD trucks used different spindles or steering arms on short box, regular cabs and long bed, crew cab trucks. Maybe someone with a Hollander's interchange book could answer.

Gary

 

Without a lot of wheel offset and a Ford axle a front steer is hard to do. Big reverse wheels cause other issues.

 

When I see a limo drive by I often think along with what you said. Do you think they modify limo steering arms? I don’t

 

Just the opposite, we did some work on a guys shorty 56 Wagon. Felt like you were steering the thing from the trailer hitch! Ackerman matters

 

Mike, too many people overthink Ackermann.
Ackermann does not take in allowances for constantly increasing slip angles on tyres as load increases. The latest hot setup in F1 cars is "reversed ackermann" where the outside has greater loads and slip angles than the inside tyre.
If you look at the schematic that @NasT posted it shows basic Ackermann principles, but in the real world the kingpin pivot isn't vertical so to tie-rods arc on a tilted plane. You also need to allow for caster as well as kingpin inclination if you ever string line up a hot rod to set up Ackermann

 

I cut up the drawing @squirrel posted to illustrate what @Moriarity and I mentioned. Check out where the lines intersect if you SHORTEN or STRETCH a wheelbase with no regards to the steering arms are.
Open the PDF and you will see why I say those "Shorty" wagons are a joke and it feels like you are steering them from the back bumper and why Mark said the limo pushed in turns!