Steering coupling

[Dave]

Just wanted to know what the steering coupling does and what effect a new one will have on steering?

It's for a TF Gemini also being fitted are new steering rack mount bushes, upr and lwr control arm bushes, whiteline front swaybar and a castor kit.

[Dave]

Anyone, any info on steering couplings and what if any benefit a urethane one will give me over a rubber one?

[Jakub]

Hi Dave,

Im not exacly sure how this rubber steering coupling looks like. Most steering couplings are much like driveshaft universal (or hookes) joints, of course a bit smaller. Im assuming it would be similar except that the rubber element is a flate plate and the 2 shafts bolt to it around the circumfrance (the two are offset to each other at an angle, say 90 degrees if it only connects with 2 bolts to one shaft).

Going to a higher stiffness polymer such as urethane or polyurethane, will give a more direct feel to the steering, it will also give a increase in the response as there will be less deformation of the coupling under load.

As with all things there are drawbacks (depending on what your comfort level is). There will be a lot more feedback into the steering from the road, and it may feel a little more harsh.

Another thing that may be a problem, but im not sure if it applies to this situation is if the rubber coupling is required to give an angle in the system. This can give torque variations through the steering, and going to a stiffer polymer will exasperate this. Although if you dont feel anything like this with the original its a good bet that it probably wont effect it.

Hope this has given some insight.

Regards

Jakub Zawada
jakub@whiteline.com.au

Whiteline Flatout

[Dave]

Yep, it's a round disc shape with the holes in it to mount it to the rack. I like the idea of more feedback, it's one good thing about driving a car with no power steering, the feedback is there and much more sensitive.

I should be receiving all my bushes, and bars etc this week, can't wait to get them onto the car and see the difference in handling. :D