Drag Racing Discussions > Front Engine Dragsters

Steerin' and Spools

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retroboy:
Howdy
My home built early 1970's FED has what I beleve is an Anglia steering box and bell crank steering. Only about 1 1/4 turns lock to lock and very fast with the motor out - which is the same as saying very heavy with the motor in. Now I have a spool in the rear and around the yard at home in gravel it basically won't turn ('coz the spool  wants to push it straight). I haven't run this car yet but is it going to steer OK on a concrete track? Now I ran a FED 25 years ago with an open rear and it steered great.
Cheers
Tony

rooman:
Tony,
        the spool will definitely tend to fight any attempt to turn the car as opposed to an open rear. You may want to slow the steering down by changing the arm lengths on the bell crank. The SPE/Strange/Flaming River/ P & S  boxes are just shy of two turns (without any linkage restrictions). Try disconnecting the drag link from the pitman arm and check as to how much the box turns by itself.   Also check the geometry of the arms/links. Ideally the link should be at (or near) 90 degrees to the arm in the straight ahead position--this applies at all points in the system.

Roo

dreracecar:
Sure its going to push on a gravel surface, front tires have no traction and will slide. get on a hard track surface and it will steer fine, Remember when steering the car in the pits-only use the steering when the car is in motion, If the car is not moving and need to turn the steering do so by turning the front wheel(s)
 How much caster is in the front axle and what front tires are you useing?

retroboy:
I went for a little road test on a quite country back road last week-end and Man I hated the spool. I have pulled it and replaced it with a 4 pinion open nine inch centre that is shimmed a bit on the side gears and I'm going to feel a whole lot safer.
Cheers

wideopen231:
I would feel a LOT safer with spool.In dragsteror any drag car I want to know both wheels are turning exactly the same .Hey theres more than one way to skin a cat.

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