Steering quickener help

[Hardracer]

I recently bought and put in a new steering quickener. It was from speedway this model here http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...ener,8280.html . It is almost impossible to turn. I can't go more than 4 laps without my arms almost falling off. I have driven with a quickener before and it was not hard like this. I can't even drive the car like I need to or I wont be able to turn the wheel. I have felt a lot of quickeners and driven with another so I know it's not me. My question is do they usually take a while to get worn in and it is just this hard to drive for a while? I know the other ones I have tried were not speedways so I don't know if it could be that too. If it's just like that when there new is there a better way of wearing it in but just turning it back and forth in the garage? Or could it be the speedway quickener and another one will be better. Any advice is appreciated

[eweracing]

What was the ratio of the quickener? are you using a 15 inch steering wheel or 13? We are using a 15 inch wheel with a 1:5 to 1 quickener from speedway motors and is fine. if you have room go to a 17 inch wheel if it will fit.

[Hardracer]

It is a 2:1 quickener. I have a 13 inch wheel but I don't really like a big wheel. My old car and all the others I have felt are soooo much easier to use than this one.

[CHUCK]

Remember that you are moving the tires twice as far you were before you intralled the quickener. So, you are going have to apply twice the pressure at the steering wheel.

[DCdriver]

Hardracer,I ran a Coleman quickner that looked just like the Speedway quickner without any problems.They will turn harder sitting still but I had NO problems while driving the car on the track.It sounds to me like there might be a problem with the one you bought and if it were mine,I'd remove it and check it out real good.It shouldn't be that much of a problem to begin with.

Jim

[The Mechanic 44]

Sounds like you might have a bind somewhere in your setup.. Do like DC said.... Put it up on stands. Turn it back and forth. I've had steering joints go bad... Just trouble shoot the whole thing.. It usually is something simple...

[Hardracer]

Ok thanks guys. Yeah I didn't think this was normal for a new quickener. I will try and find a bind some were and if I can't find anything maybe it's just a defective one and I need a new one.

[rat95]

We had a member of our club with the same problem. Problem was his rack was dry. We greased it up and it really helped. Does the wheels turn easy with the front tires off the ground?

[Hardracer]

Yes it turns fairly easier with the tires off the ground. I did notice last night that there is a airy noise when I turn the wheels coming from the right side of the steering rack and it is harder to turn right than left. I also noticed some grease on the rack itself. I have heard a bad rack would cause loose steering not hard though? I am going to try greasing the rack maybe it has a leak and it is causing it. Just weird that right when I got the quickener I started having this. Maybe just a coincidence if it is the rack that it started leaking at that time. I just don't wanna spend the money on a new quickener or rack and it be the other.

[Reggie Ayres]

I ran a M&M Quickener ( 2:1 ) and a Stilletto Rack ( 10:1 ) with a 15 inch steering wheel. When the car is hooked up at both ends it wears you out in about 10 laps. Lock to lock
is 3/4 turn on the wheel which is nice, but you got to be an arm wrestler and around 20 yrs old to go 30 laps without much fatigue. Are you running chevette rack or a stilletto?

This year i have added power assist to help overcome the leverage factor. Hopefully it works or I will have to eliminate the quickener or the rack ratio. Good Luck

[eweracing]

Yes it turns fairly easier with the tires off the ground. I did notice last night that there is a airy noise when I turn the wheels coming from the right side of the steering rack and it is harder to turn right than left. I also noticed some grease on the rack itself. I have heard a bad rack would cause loose steering not hard though? I am going to try greasing the rack maybe it has a leak and it is causing it. Just weird that right when I got the quickener I started having this. Maybe just a coincidence if it is the rack that it started leaking at that time. I just don't wanna spend the money on a new quickener or rack and it be the other.

With it up on the stands disconnect the tie rods at the rack and turn...if it is still tight it is the rack or the universals on the steering shaft.
You should be able to feel on the right or left tie rods buy moving the rods around if the are bad. check spindle heim's or ball joints
You want everything to turn easy.

if you power wash you car things to avoid is the rack, front hubs, engine, fuel cell, dash gauges, etc.

the rack should be disassembled and inspected once a year and cleaned. Install a zerk (if it is a stilletto) in the pinion cover of the rack and use a good synthetic water proof grease just a few pumps will do

One thing to look at if you have not is the caster settings on both spindles/ If you are running excessive positive caster the thing will be hard to turn
check with the builder of the chassis or where you need to be at for a starting point for caster and camber

I think if you put a 15 inch steering wheel on it it will be a whole lot more forgiving...2:1 rack with a 13 inch wheel would kick any body's butt if it is a tacky track. If everything is free on the front end, go to a 15 inch steering wheel and you will see a big improvement. Is not a big expense.

hope you can get it figured out Hardracer

[Hardracer]

The steering rack was really worn out and had tears so I ordered a new one cause it needed one anyways. Maybe it's that if not I know its the quickener. I have had quickeners before and I know it's supposed to be hard but this wheel it's almost impossible to turn the wheel even on lap 1 when your not wore out! Two corner and I'm done lol! Oh it is a stilledo rack. I hope that rack was it if not I am thinking defective quickener? I haven't ever heard of that but I can't think of anything else!

[Reggie Ayres]

Hardracer

The Stilletto Rack is already quickened. If you add more Quikening, it adds less leverage and makes it harder to turn the wheel. The Quickeners are made for stock racks that
have a slower ratio.

[Hardracer]

Just wanted to update everyone. Found the problem! It was a bind in one of the welds. Wheel turns easier than ever even with the quickener!

[The Mechanic 44]

Glad to hear! Good luck this year..