Explorer 8.8

[jweb]

Got the QA1 front installed. Wasn’t impressed by the instructions or fit. Hopefully it aligns well and drives good.

[SkinnyG]

I love the amount of dynamic ackerman that's in there!

Straight impossible to get that with a factory crossmember. Should have a very nice turning radius, and responsive steering.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

I love the amount of dynamic ackerman that's in there!

Straight impossible to get that with a factory crossmember. Should have a very nice turning radius, and responsive steering.

I hope you’re right. I had several issues installing this. I’m a little concerned with the steering setup. The angle on the steering rack seems excessive and the adjustment sleeves are all the way in. I’m hoping it aligns well and drives good. Won’t know for sure until I get an alignment, which will be quite a while.

[SkinnyG]

When the steering rack is closer to the centerline of the wheel, dynamic ackerman increases. The angle of the steering arms in an indicator. More ackerman is always good. Put it this way: I am envious.

If the tie rods are adjusted all the way in, and you need more adjustment, cut the tie rods shorter by whatever you need to correct the adjustment. This is often done when installing dropped spindles (grin).

[jweb]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

When the steering rack is closer to the centerline of the wheel, dynamic ackerman increases. The angle of the steering arms in an indicator. More ackerman is always good. Put it this way: I am envious.

If the tie rods are adjusted all the way in, and you need more adjustment, cut the tie rods shorter by whatever you need to correct the adjustment. This is often done when installing dropped spindles (grin).

Thanks for the info, I was concerned about the rack angle but it sounds like an advantage.

I was also concerned about the rod end at the spindle since it requires 4 custom aluminum pieces per side, while the POL rack uses a stock tie rod. I believe these are in place to correct bump steer. I have a problem with bump steer in my 51 and I really want to avoid it on this build.

I will be using drop spindles and setting the Suburban as low as I can, my steep driveway will be the limit. Has to be able to get in the garage.

[SkinnyG]

Bumpsteer is 100% determined by the location of all the pivots - ball joints, inner bushings, rack width and height. It's not always easy to change it.

Show me a straight-on front view of everything, and I can pretty much tell you if it's all in the ballpark or not. I am super passionate about steering and suspension (suspect Aspergers here).

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

When the steering rack is closer to the centerline of the wheel, dynamic ackerman increases. The angle of the steering arms in an indicator. More ackerman is always good. Put it this way: I am envious.

If the tie rods are adjusted all the way in, and you need more adjustment, cut the tie rods shorter by whatever you need to correct the adjustment. This is often done when installing dropped spindles (grin).

Ackerman should also be able to (can?) be increased @ the steering arm depending on type of spindle. I don't know if the steering arm is cast in the exact same location between a dropped vs stock spindle.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Bumpsteer is 100% determined by the location of all the pivots - ball joints, inner bushings, rack width and height. It's not always easy to change it.

Show me a straight-on front view of everything, and I can pretty much tell you if it's all in the ballpark or not. I am super passionate about steering and suspension (suspect Aspergers here).

I’ll try to get a pic of it from the front soon. Once this Suburban is done I hope to dig back into my 51. Just needs a few adjustments, mainly the bump steer. I really want to fix that since my wife will likely drive it once the Suburban is done.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Ackerman should also be able to (can?) be increased @ the steering arm depending on type of spindle. I don't know if the steering arm is cast in the exact same location between a dropped vs stock spindle.

That’s a good question about the steering arm at the spindle. Unfortunately I don’t have any stock spindles to compare. I do know that QA1 has some different spacers at the spindle depending on your wheel size and spindle type. You can seem them in this page of the instructions.

[SkinnyG]

Oh. I did not see that those were heim joints.

It looks like the spacer is "ideal" according to the instructions, with removing the spacer only to fit smaller wheels. Fit the bigger wheels if you can.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Oh. I did not see that those were heim joints.

It looks like the spacer is "ideal" according to the instructions, with removing the spacer only to fit smaller wheels. Fit the bigger wheels if you can.

I have some 15" wheels on while I work on the Suburban. Once I feel it's ready to drive I'll switch to the 22" transport wheels and add the spacers.