Clocking u-joints on steering shaft?

[151fab]

I have a steering shaft that has two u-joints and no rag-joint or slip-joint. The u-joints are at a relatively extreme angle (about 45 degrees each) but end up running parallel at the ends. I have the u-joints set at the same rotation relative to each other (clocked at zero degrees). Because of the extreme angle; the steering cycles through loose and tight areas as you trurn the wheel. I'm wondering: if I rotate one of the u-joints 45 degrees relative to the other u-joint, would this lessen the uneven effort I'm experiencing. Also, I know there's a company out there that makes a CV joint for steering applications. I can only find a manufacturers website and it's Chinese. Does anyone know where to find these CVs?

[Superfab]

Try rotating them slightly out of phase. Might help although you are running at way more angle than you should. Must joints are good to 30-32 degrees. I would seriously try to find a solution to aleviate some of the angle. A picture of what you have would help.

[151fab]

I know I'm asking for more than I should out of these and I have another plan in the works. I'm just trying to get it together for this weekend to test and tune the shocks and drive-line. Th joints are not physically binding though, there is no interference to the movement other than the extreme angle.

[FABRICATOR]

It is not rare for trucks and buses to have driveline joints slightly out of phase. There are even some cars with this. It is usually, but not always, done when there is permanent lateral misalignment. It is even more common on steering shafts. It is not rare for vans and some cars to run around 40-45 degrees in the steering. You will need to experiment with it.

[J.JOHNSON]

The valley of one joint should line up with the cup of the next. the cups should not be lined up. You can check the Sweet products web site. They send instructions with their servos that show this.
This will keep theshaft from growing and shrinking as it is rotated.

[151fab]

I rotated one joint 45 degrees from the other. This alleviated the stiff-loose-stiff-loose... feel I was getting. I still think I have issues though. Still looking for a vender that sells that CV steering joint. The website says it handles 48 degrees of mis. and it seems like that joint would be much smoother. Worst case; I add two more joints and a few bearing blocks.

[partybarge_pilot]

Link for the CV steering joint?

[151fab]

cv steering joint link:
http://www.ntn.co.jp/english/news/news_files/new_products/news20041209.html

[partybarge_pilot]

Thanks!

[FABRICATOR]

Some big trucks with radical steering shaft angles use Rzeppa CV joints. I have only seen them used singular not plural, and always on the driver's end. They are about the size of a stock VW Type 1 axle joint.

Borgeson sells double-cardan joints that are "recommended for over 35 degrees..and accommodate angles up to 70 degrees."

http://www.borgeson.com/images/doublejnts.jpg

There is also this kind of alien-like crazy stuff. Doesn't do much for phasing problems, but it does have very low friction plunge.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f62/convel/jointsmall.jpg

[151fab]

The double joint would work for one end but the added length would put the other end into an even more extreme angle. Also they require a bearing block to control ( I know some of you know this, I'm just stating it for anyone else whose lurking). If I must I'll end up using two of the double joints, one at each end, and them contain the center section. Thanks for the help so far guys.