EOI: Lock spacers for drifting! Post Aus-wide!

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archangel62
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EOI: Lock spacers for drifting! Post Aus-wide!

Post by archangel62 »

==== EDIT ====

I was going to try to have a single bolt-on style lock spacer engineered.

This is now not going ahead, because a simple slip-on (washer style) lock spacer setup has been tried and tested, works great, and is much cheaper.

Effectively all you need to do is remove your rack ends from your steering rack and fit a slip-on spacer that's essentially like a 6mm thick washer on each side, re-fit the rack ends, and cut/grind down the stopper on the lower control arms near the swaybar mounts (you'll see what I mean when you turn to full lock left, and look at the right lower control arm, or vice versa).

These slip on washers are fairly generic, and are available by calling Garage 7 - see www.garage7.com.au (although they aren't on the website). At the time of publication, they cost $20.

Then you'll need a wheel alignment.

Cheers!
Last edited by archangel62 on Wed Oct 05, 2011 2:08 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Gene FJ20DEBT
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Post by Gene FJ20DEBT »

excuse my ignorance :P
but how can it turn further if the stub on the other side has a bump stop to stop it turning anymore/further??
do u have any pics or diagrams to show how these work??
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Post by Buggzy »

still cant understand how this will work?? have you got photos of it fitted?
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archangel62
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Post by archangel62 »

I didn't get it for ages... but people run them, so they must work.

Here's a different style of lock spacer, ours are more expensive because they aren't a sleeve, they actually bolt on. I've never pulled down a Gemini steering rack, but I would assume that nothing hits on the inside. They said it'd work, so...

http://forum.jdmstyletuning.com/showthr ... od-Spacers

http://dmr-architect.com/~locouki/steering-limiter.html
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Post by Gene FJ20DEBT »

I still don't get it?. Cos the outside wheel can turn in any further then the stopper
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archangel62
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Post by archangel62 »

A stopper inside the rack? Or outside?

I think this runs on the assumption that nothing hits inside the rack, but I mentioned it to the workshop and I'm trusting them to find it out!

I know all the KE boys run these, and by extending the tie rods further from the rack (the lock spacers can slide into the rack a short distance from my understanding of it) they get more steering angle.
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Post by BlueGem »

The smaller bit with the thread is longer which allows the tie rod to go further into the rack allowing the wheels to turn more.
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Post by Gene FJ20DEBT »

Lol I'm still lost . :p
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Post by Stig »

Gene FJ20DEBT wrote:Lol I'm still lost . :p
Pulled from another website.
Normally, the steering arm inside ball joints hit the rack, which limits the travel.
The spacers move the joints out, which allows some more travel from the rack, but it also means you have less thread holding your steering arms on.

You will obviously need to adjust the tie rod ends to get the proper alignment back.
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Post by BAD 44u »

$180 for that is a rip off its a bit of round pipe turned down on a lathe. i can get them made for you if you draw a picture exactly what you want. but like what has been said i dont think they will work. i get alot more angle on my steering (more than in those jdm pics)because i use smaller brakes so they dont hit on the control arms.
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Post by modern bliss »

How much angle can you get on a gemini before you make contact? Not much i thought? I've never really tried to test it without the rack on.

To sum spacers up simply, they allow the rack to travel further without the rack end hitting the rack, adding a little more lock.

Although this doesn't suit my gemini project (well atm...) i am very familiar with the steering/suspension set ups preferred for drift, i find it quiet interesting. I highly recommend playing around with spacers, although im not sure you can get all that much extra angle on a Gemini anyway?

I think the reason you can't run a slip on ring is the amount of thread you have on your rack. you would need something more like this (except a separate part to screw on:

Image

as you can see the rack end would be able to slip inside the rack a little further before the large part hit the rack.
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Post by orange_gem »

hey man you know i would be up for it i just want to see some pics and a testing before hand. Hit them up for sponsorship :p
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Post by archangel62 »

BAD 44u wrote:$180 for that is a rip off its a bit of round pipe turned down on a lathe. i can get them made for you if you draw a picture exactly what you want. but like what has been said i dont think they will work. i get alot more angle on my steering (more than in those jdm pics)because i use smaller brakes so they dont hit on the control arms.
Even with smaller brakes you'd still need to stop the rack from limiting, wouldn't you?

If you can make up lock spacers for cheaper I'm keen, but I'm just eager to have it happen fast, like, next couple of months at most would be preferable.

So if you're keen to give it a shot and can make something that works I have monies.
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Post by Gene FJ20DEBT »

Stig wrote:
Gene FJ20DEBT wrote:Lol I'm still lost . :p
Pulled from another website.
Normally, the steering arm inside ball joints hit the rack, which limits the travel.
The spacers move the joints out, which allows some more travel from the rack, but it also means you have less thread holding your steering arms on.

You will obviously need to adjust the tie rod ends to get the proper alignment back.
the out side wheel hits the stopper on teh stub, so i cant see how it can make more steering angle if the stopper is there physically preventing the wheel turning any further
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archangel62
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Post by archangel62 »

I just had a look at the steering rack on my POS organ-donor Gem, it looks to me like the only thing hitting is at the end of the rack, I got some pics, but besides brake clearance etc I can't see why lock spacers wouldn't work.

Anyone able to post pics of what could potentially limit steering lock?

Wheel to inner guard clearance could be an issue with high offset or really wide wheels, but if it's a drift car just grab some low offset wheels and it should be good.
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