Steering Radius

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rfsalter
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:31 pm

Steering Radius

Post by rfsalter »

I have a Ghia with Mendeola front suspension.
I have lost some of the turning radius in the process.
What can I do to improve the turning radius?
Robert
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Dale M.
Posts: 1673
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:09 am

Re: Steering Radius

Post by Dale M. »

Are you saying you have lost some "lock to lock" turning?... IF spindle are going lock to lock there is not much you can do except move locks... Providing you do not get tire interference with fenders or other chassis parts... Other situation may be steering arms on spindles may be to long...

Dale
"Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson
1970 "Kellison Sand Piper Roadster"
rfsalter
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2010 2:31 pm

Re: Steering Radius

Post by rfsalter »

I have installed a medeola after-market suspension system. It has a-arms and coilovers.
Sorry if I did not make that clear.
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bad62bug
Posts: 288
Joined: Sun Dec 31, 2000 12:01 am

Re: Steering Radius

Post by bad62bug »

you should post pics
principles are the same
does your rack just not move the wheels enough or are things hitting
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Dale M.
Posts: 1673
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2009 8:09 am

Re: Steering Radius

Post by Dale M. »

rfsalter wrote:I have installed a medeola after-market suspension system. It has a-arms and coilovers.
Sorry if I did not make that clear.
Your first post was quite clear...

Put car up on jack stands and have assistant turn steering wheel while you observe the action of spindles and other moving parts...

Dale
"Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson
1970 "Kellison Sand Piper Roadster"
Steve Arndt
Posts: 7420
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2001 12:01 am

Re: Steering Radius

Post by Steve Arndt »

I think switching to a rack and pinion in a bug usually results in reduced turning radius. There is only so much travel available.

The spendeola front end is also designed to work with 17" and up wheels and large offsets. This usually means the tires/wheels are getting "in to" the inner fenders at full lock. I have 17x7et50 and 205/50R17 wheels/tires on the front of my 65. I just take wide turns when parking.
stault
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2003 5:00 am

Re: Steering Radius

Post by stault »

I would like an understanding as to why does rack and pinion have that effect , the other question is pertaining to the Mendola suspension, how does it ride, harder/softer , did you have to do anything special to your steering shaft to get it to work, I have thought about the upgrade to my bug but I haven't seen any reviews on those who have installed one, I have looked on youtube and found a bug running one but it's only going in a straight line, seems odd for a company trying to sell a product without any video marketing, like on a nice track somewhere showing how it will improve the cars handling
Steve Arndt
Posts: 7420
Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2001 12:01 am

Re: Steering Radius

Post by Steve Arndt »

Here is a thread with 62 pages of posts.
Lots of responses from Kevin Coolrides of Mendeola. He is also on facebook under coolride customs (something like that)
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=401807
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volksbugly
Posts: 634
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2010 5:09 am

Re: Steering Radius

Post by volksbugly »

wheel offset effects turning radius, learn about scrub radius.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrub_radius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUcZ63unEyU
coolrydes
Posts: 53
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:16 pm

Re: Steering Radius

Post by coolrydes »

rfslater,
If your not hitting the inner fenders with the tires, you'll need to un-screw the tie rods from the rack and remove and or narrow the steering stops that we install on our racks. These are designed to stop the rack to keep the tires from dragging the inner fender well.
Kevin "Coolrydes" Zagar
MENDEOLA SIGNATURE MOTORS

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