Hey guys, First time poster here. My T Bone is now 40 years old and in its 4th tear-down for corrections.
I was also hell-bent on a vertical column, so I used a Corvair box, inverted. Drove it for many years, with the only real bitch being the amount of flex, or free play in the wheel. I could not find a way to secure all 4 sides of my box mounting plate. It was welded to the x-member on two sides, but the inner and bottom edges just hung in the breeze, so it flex'ed a bunch. Adding to that, the drag link was long and also had a lot of flex, so steering was sloppy, especially when not moving.
I have now changed to a Vega cross-steer up front linked back to a 90 degree coupler from Angl-Gear. I needed a couple of u-joints to navigate inside the rails up to the steering arm. Still in progress, so I don't know the effectiveness yet. I'm a little concerned about the Angl-Gear's strength, though. Anybody had experience with it?
Secondly, the car developed a severe front shimmy after ten years on the road. First time ity happened, it bent the 3/4 inch moly tie rod into a vee. Had to drive home almost idling, with wheels looking like Charlie Chaplain!
The shimmy was intermittenet and unpredictable, happening at 50 mph. One time, I was told the rear wheels were bouncing off the road.
I think (spelled h.o.p.e.) I finally found the cause a year ago. The right side spring perch bolt hole was woggled out, allowing the axle to snap forward or backward, depending on acceleration or braking, explaining the randomness of the problem.
Now to my request. With the front end changes, I also want to copy a suspension I saw years ago on Li'l John's bucket in Loiusville. He had a beautiful mount which was tapered bottom to top and mounted his lights as well as his coil-overs. I can't remember what it looked like. Anybody here seen it or one like it? I am currently on a traditional spring but playing with going to coil-overs.
Thanks in advance for your ears.
My name is Dick, I'm from Detroit and now in Tampa.
rpustelnik@tampabay.rr.com
813-996-6193