Tapered steering arms question for bus / semi guru

[Darkspeed]

I know most bus, semi use steering arms that are tapered into the steering knuckle, the question is, is this taper size a fairly standardized size?

I need to transplant a 90 degree steering arm into my 4106 in place of the upper tapered "stub" on the drivers side and wondering how many sizes there are out there.

[bevans6]

I am pretty sure the taper is a standard.  I know when I was making some race car stuff I bought an automotive tapered reamer and made some bits that had tie rod ends fitted in to them.  Now, the relative diameter of the hole will vary from size to size, but would be standard within those sizes.  If it was me, I would measure the major and minor diameters of the tapered shaft on your steering joint and compare it to the hole in the piece you want to add.  If it looks like it will go in you are probably good to go.

Brian

[Tom Y]

If you have the parts put some grease on the shaft (real thin) and check for complete transfer into the mating part.

[Darkspeed]

I dont have the part yet. None of the steering arms online list their taper mini/max dimensions. Anyone know a truck salvage yard near Zephyrhills / Tampa Florida?

[Jim Eh.]

Are you changing the length of the steering arm? If so, you may end up reducing tire life by changing the ackerman angle too much. This is the angle that is engineered into steering systems to give the correct amount of toe in/out on turns so you don't scrub off the front tires in 6 months.

[Darkspeed]

Are you changing the length of the steering arm? If so, you may end up reducing tire life by changing the ackerman angle too much. This is the angle that is engineered into steering systems to give the correct amount of toe in/out on turns so you don't scrub off the front tires in 6 months.

Thanks Jim, The 4106 initial steering force is left/right and I am converting it to push 90 degrees to the oem system. It is actually a copy of the MC9 steering system which will reduce the sloppy and complicated 4106 oem system to a Ross frame mounted gear, drag link, and 90 deg steering arm. I have engineered a lot of suspension / steering systems before and I can fabricate the parts but my goal is to use as many off the shelf bus components as possible. The problem I am facing is the lack of spec info on bus components.

[niles500]

Darkspeed, contact Tampa Spring and Brake

Howard Smith - Manager

8820 N Brooks Street

Tampa, FL 33604

1-813-933-2805 PH

1-813-933-5292 Fax