Ray Barker our resident master fabrication wizard has come up with a solution for adding power steering to a Hudson Stepdown. He has sent me the info on how this is done. I am adding it here as a story of its own because so many Hudson owners are interested in this addition. When Ray told me he was working on this project I was eager to see what he came up with. Ray will be sending pictures soon so I will add them here when we get them.
Here is the explanantion in Rays own words. if you have questions post them in the forum in the thread Ray started about this procedure. Also remember that working on the steering of your car is not to be taken lightly. Please use the information below as an explanation only and do not attempt the work unless you are a competent mechanic. So thats your standard disclaimer there folks.
Ray's Procedure
Basically as an explanation as long as the power steering box moves the center point steering system lock to lock when the steering box moves lock to lock it is possible to add power steering to the original Hudson steering geometry. So I kept and rebuilt the bushing on the original center point system.
I cut the steering column off a little longer than the base of the tube installed a universal joint on the end of the column, then built an adjustable extension shaft and flex coupler that runs above the A arm along the frame to the front of vehicle position and height is critical to allow for maximum A arm vertical travel.
I then installed a Saginaw box at the front of the vehicle frame. The box used is from a 1978 Chev van as it has an output shaft that drops to the correct height of the center point steering and has a 3.5 ratio lock to lock. I made and installed all necessary brackets to install the gear on the frame and a pump on the engine.
I then installed a pitman arm off a Camaro on the box which has a center to center dimension of about 7 inches. When you rotate a pitman arm of that dimension lock to lock with the box it travels along an arc that gives you the exact distance of travel that the center point steering needs to move lock to lock.(critical value to ensure correct amount of tie rod travel)
I then made a straight drag link using Hudson parts and a buick tie rod end so that it was adjustable and installed that between the pitman arm and center point steering. Having lost the wire that controls the horn running through the center of the steering shaft I ran a wire along side of column inside the covered wire channel then made a brush holder and connected the brush similar to that out of a sewing machine motor it make contact with the back side of the groove in the horn ring and when depressed makes ground which sounds horn through relay I installed.
Ray Barker
Some Pictures of the build below look in the gallery for more.
Posted by 51hornet Sunday, April 09, 2006 (21:31:08) [ Administration ]
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Re: Ray Barkers Power Steering Project
(Score: 1 )
by Toby_Peters on Thursday, May 11, 2006 (15:23:37) (User Info | Send a Message)
You put the steering box far forward in your car. Can you replace the existing Hudson steering box and put some other box in the same location and how would you tie that into the center point steering would you have to use a new pitman arm, drag link?
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