DeTomaso Mailing List: August 97, Message #9
     



From: MikeLDrew@aol.com

Subject: Re: Rack and Pinion ?

Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 02:41:27 -0400 (EDT)



Shane poses the question:



>One of the saddest parts of the Pantera is its steering rack.  Has anyone

ever watched a Pantera in autocross where the driver emerges unbruised and

ready to go again?  The slow steering realy can wear a fella out.



Why doesnt someone offer a quick-ratio rack for the P?  I figure ther would

be quite a queue for it.



>>>Well, you think your arms are tired NOW?  Realize that a quick ratio rack

(one that results in more movement at the wheels for a given amount of

steering wheel rotation) would mean even MORE effort at the wheel.  Think

about it, in exaggarated form:  if it took 10 turns lock to lock, you'd have

lots of mechanical advantage, and it would be easy to turn the wheel, but

you'd have to turn a whole lot to get any results.  Sort of like riding a

ten-speed bike in first gear.  Now, if you installed a quick-ratio rack, one

that went lock-to-lock in only one turn, then you'd have very little

mechanical advantage, imagine climbing a hill on the same ten-speed in tenth

gear.



The Pantera's rack is probably as close to an ideal compromise between

steering effort and speed as you'll ever find.



However, Wilkinson has addressed this by producing a quick-steering power

steering system.  It's still in the prototype stage, but I've already got

someone who's got a test drive under his belt and will be publishing his full

report in the Summer POCA Profiles (BTW, the Spring (!) issue will be going

to press (FINALLY!) by the end of next week.)



Mike



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