Hydraulic cylinder mounting

[JayH]

I'm getting ready to mount my double ended steering cylinder and seem to recall reading somewhere that I want the center line of the cylinder to be forward of a line drawn between the holes in the knuckles that the tie rod ends / heims will bolt to when steered straight ahead. Anyone know about this and what the reasoning is behind it?

Thanks.

 

[big 5]

I think you want the ram slightly behind the knuckle mounting point. The reason for this is, when steered straight the mounting point is at its furthest point forward. When turned that point moves to the rear or back towards the axle. If you mount the ram in front then this angle gets worse as you steer. Since the most stress is applied when steering you want your links as straight as possible when at full lock.
On my axle I have a panhard bar in the way so my ram and links are straight when steering is straight not ideal but the best I could do. Without the panhard I would move the ram back somemore.

Jerry

 

[JayH]

I would think the cylinder center should be aft of the steering ears as well. This was, when steering past center the opposite-and-equal-reaction force from the tires would be pushing the cylinder into the axle and not trying to push it away from the axle.

I was remembering something I read somewhere that I thought was talking about proper steering geometries. I'll have to try and find that again.

 

[Pat]

I think you want it so the cylinder is straight when the knuckles are halfway between straight and full turn, minimizing the angle between rod and cylinder as it travels through its stroke. I'm not positive though, I'm not an expert but I've been reading up on this stuff cause I've got some steering issues.