more stuff on econoline spindles

[chimp koose]

Here are the steering arms I made from 4130 to correct the ackerman on the econoline spindles . Also the machining required to allow the spindles to fit over the wider axle kingpin boss . I made a tool that piloted off both bushings with a cutter to face off what I needed to remove . Did it in the mill . Also had to sleeve the axle kingpin bores down to .750" and made kingpins from chrome moly material that Enjenjo sent me a few years ago . Honed the bushings on a rod resizing hone with the pin bore hone . Worked slick . This stuff is from many years ago.

[kb426]

Am I correct in seeing that the original has angles on both ends and yours is straight? They used Eco spindles a lot. Do they all have incorrect Akerman? All the axle conversions used to be setup with econoline or 54 chevy spindles.

[chimp koose]

KB if you look , the flat flange goes to the kingpin side . There was almost no angling in of the steering arms . I took a string and went from kingpin to centre of diff to calculate mine as the stock arms had to be replaced . The D/S arm is a really ugly piece that curves like a hockey stick if I remember right . Anyhow I ended up making the new holes about 5/8" closer in to centre per side if I remember right . I wondered at the time how badly those vans steered and then wondered if it was done on purpose due to the driver position ? I wish I had taken pictures of my steering rack mods when I did that job as I am pretty pleased with it . I took a rear steer non power rack from a late 90's festiva / focus ? and made my own version of unisteer . It has 6" of stroke , uses 5/8 steering shaft , (unisteer is 9/16 ) and has a machined aluminum chamber to house the dummy end of the rack instead of a rubber bellows . I machined it so that I could still use factory mounts and press fit the housing ends back together . The steering cross shaft and the panhard bar are the same length and are situated parallel to each other at ride height . I am trying to reduce bump steer to minimum .