Front Steering

In the 1959 MM model, the metal rack strip pt #110 was used for the steering. However, the front suspension wishbones appeared overlong with 5 hole strips. My use of 4 hole strips meant not enough width to accommodate the metal rack and the flexible coupling units pt #175. Therefore I used the plastic French rack. (No idea of pt No.) that came with the little Fork Lift Truck set. It was quite a problem getting the rack to operate in the small space betwixt radiator and suspension mounting brackets. The result is as per composite pic 1.

Another problem then was a tendency for the pinion (pt #26c) and rack to part company when the suspension moved up and down. This was solved by fitting an angle bracket as per composite pic 2. The slotted hole needed lengthening a bit and sharp edges rounded before the rack operated smoothly.

From the underside view (composite pic 3) it can be seen the steering column lay too close to the model's centreline. This was resolved by fitting the 3 gear unit (composite pic 4). With a bit of luck most of the gear unit will be hidden by the "engine"

The 1:1 ratio rear axle had been bugging me sufficiently to change it to 3.33:1 with pts #26c and 28. Given that the model isn't going to run about a lot, rather than include a diff, I've allowed one rear wheel to slip on the axle when under load. The two collars pt #59 are pushed tightly towards each other and locked onto the axle causing the French rubber collar to be compressed and transmit the drive to pt #19b.