SXOR single seater build

[hokie_yj]

Some minor progress over the last few days. I welded the BK king joints in the knuckles using some 309 filler. Did the pre-heat, post-heat, slow cool. Again, definitely not a professional welder. Haha.

Late last night I went to the shop for a few minutes and put in the short side rear shaft and drive flange. Just waiting on the correct long side shaft from Branik.

I also shot a couple coats of paint on the knuckles last night. Just need to press in the lower BJs and I can temporarily bolt the knuckles up to work on the steering ram mount.

 

[hokie_yj]

Got down to the shop for just a few minutes this afternoon before work. Pressed in the lower balljoints and loosely bolted the knuckles on to start working on steering. That Goatbuilt ram mount is tacked on currently, but likely won't be used

 

[ridered3]

Glad to see parts still going on!

 

[hokie_yj]

I've made some progress on the steering spread out over the last few days. I cut off the Goatbuilt ram mount. Then I used the TMR alignment tools clamped onto the knuckles to center everything up and kinda mocked up the 10" ram with the tie rods from the old axle.

I needed to cycle everything lock to lock to measure the travel and check angles. I built a quick tie rod from some left over EMT conduit and some junk 3/4" heims. Lock to lock with the factory stops on the knuckles is just over 8" and 40* of steering which is what JHF says their weld on high steer will do with 8" travel. 10” of travel will get 50* of steering, which is what I was hoping for.

I quickly bolted on one unit bearing and tire just to see what 40* would look like and if 50* would be possible. The tires might not hit anything at 50* but I think things would start getting close. And that's with 39s, I'm ultimately wanting to run 43s one day. With spools f/r it's not going to steer that great even with 50*, and more angle is just harder on joints and shafts. So think I'll just stick with the 8" ram and 40*.

During this time I discovered the front upper link mount I moved up some to get more separation now crashes into the track bar before full bump. I guess the fancy aluminum track bar will be getting replaced with steel with a small bend in it to clear. Maybe I can find someone to cut up and re-thread the aluminum track bar so I can use it for my tie rods.

Also in between other things I swapped the dual 3/4" master cylinder pedal for a single 7/8" master. The dual master setup just wasn't right for the brakes on this thing. I used the brake calculator on Busted Knuckle's site and the single 7/8" master puts the numbers right where it says it should be. So hopefully I'll see a big improvement in the brakes. Everything is re-plumbed, but nothing is bled yet.

The replacement rear shaft from Branik is supposed to be delivered today so hopefully I'll have the rear axle buttoned up soon.

 

[ridered3]

Quite a productive update!

 

[hokie_yj]

The new shaft from Branik was delivered as I was on my way out the door to work yesterday evening. I stopped by the shop on the way in this morning and put it in and buttoned up the rear end.

 

[ridered3]

Bling bling!

 

[hokie_yj]

Haven't made much progress lately but I had hauled the UBs for the front axle in to work a while back in anticipation of using the radial arm drill in the shop to re-drill them when I had the time. I had a slow OT shift this weekend so I got them knocked out.

I sat on a stool and stared at it for about an hour before work this morning trying to decide what I'm going to do for the steering. I bought a nice ram mount/skid but it's going to take a lot of cutting to make it work. Thinking of just going the tube/plate route and be done.

 

[hokie_yj]

I actually got in a little bit of shop time today for the first time in ages.

I decided to stick with the Goatbuilt ram mount and run the ram offset to the driver's side. I had to get a little creative to get it mocked up in place to tack weld only having one set of hands. But it's on there and seems to be straight and level. The tie rods might not be 100% in line with the ram at full lock, but they will be much closer than the old axle was.

I also measured for and ordered some 7075 tie rods from Wide Open Design.

 

[ridered3]

Looking good!

 

[hokie_yj]

Just had a few minutes this afternoon before work. I stuck the new 7075 tie rods on the axle to make sure they fit.

And I also replaced the temporary upper link tabs with the permanent tabs. They will be gusseted and tied into the back side of the ram mount.

 

[ridered3]

Front end is looking :cool:

 

[hokie_yj]

Front end is looking :cool:

Thank you!

 

[hokie_yj]

I had a little more time today and bolted up the unit bearings to check the fitment with the Spidertrax rotors, Wilwood calipers, and JHF/Branik caliper brackets. Everything fit just like it should.

I also used shop air to cycle the steering lock to lock. Maybe because of the offset ram but it steers a little more one direction than the other. One way it doesn’t hit the stops at all and the other direction it hits the stops with a little travel left in the ram. I need to double check all my measurements and make sure the knuckles are straight and centered and try it again before I just trim the stops.

 

[hokie_yj]

I got the steering straightened out this morning. I just had it a little off when I put the tie rods in. Toe is set at 0" +/- 1/16" and you can slide a piece of cereal box between the stops on both sides with the ram at full lock either direction.

After I got that straightened out I started working on the brake line mounts until my welder jammed up and I ran out of time.

 

[hokie_yj]

Yeah, I guess it really has been that long since I’ve touched this thing. I guess adjusting to the new job and a normal 6:30-3 schedule after 12+ years of rotating 12hr shifts took longer than I thought. Anyway I started back on it some this week in the mornings before work. Got the front axle pulled out and on the table and got started welding everything up. It’s about half done right now.