Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Something pooped into my mind today, I was day dreaming about something interesting at the time, a plan that has been floating in my head for ages, there it will stay for a while!

Steering, I know you are not meant to have 4 wheel steering in the road and if you do, it can be scary! So you ahve to have 2 wheel steering, but do the two wheels have to be at the front, or can they be at the back?

Cheers

Dave

[Penman]

Hi
Rear wheel steering is too sensitive for anything more than lowish speeds.

Dumpers and Forklifts use it in order to facilitate putting the business ned where it is wanted and then squaring up, for the same reason you occasionally see a mobile crane with the same set up.

It is the same principle that allows you to get into tighter places in reverse, particularly when pushing a trailer.
The last ones I saw on the road were a roughly triangular shape with close coupled rear wheels and a wide front track, I think they were limited to about 25/30 mph max.

4 wheel steering is not unheard of.
Some Honda Preludes had it.
First movement of the wheel caused the wheels to move in the same direction so that for overtaking a slight movement moved the car sideways while it still pointed straight along the road.
Further movement switched the rear wheels to the opposite direction causing for instance the back to move left when the front moved right when trying to get away from the kerb.
The problem was that if you were parked too close in, the rear wheels scrubbed, or went up onto, the kerb.

There were other vehicles which used it but I am not sure which they were.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Yeah crab steering first, then 4 wheel steering, I know you are not aloud to use it on agricultural machinery on the roads, full crab steering would be very dodgy, and I think the main reason is other road users are not expecting it. It is great though, it is very good fun!

My idea is not going to move that fast even, probably 20mph tops! The slower the more effective I think.

So do we think any steering is legal on the road, rear and front included?

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

As Penman said, there was a Prelude that had 4WS so I doubt that it is illegal unless rules have changed since then. Why, do you plan to construct something??

R
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[Penman]

hi
I don't know if there was more than one, but I remember a Circus Clown Car that had opposite steering.
Turn the wheel clockwise /turn the car left.
Now that would be interesting on the road NOT.
I think there was a clown bike with opposite steering as well, that was used by a unicyclist as an extra part of his act.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I have had a go on an opposite steering push bike and it is no fun! It is so hard to ride, as you can't pull on the handle bars to push on the pedals as you normally do, as it just sends the wheel the otherway and you fall down as you push down on the pedal, hard to explain, but there you go!

They are quite simple to make, with a hydraulic unit. I have also seen oposite steering cars, my mate has driven those, and it takes some getting used to. The other thing that is quite popular is having one seat facing back and one facing forward, each having a steering wheel one to each axle and then try to drive either working together or against each other!

My plan has got to stay in my head for a while, but you may find out what it is in a while.

Cheers

Dave

[pigtin]

Here's an interesting car with front, and rear steering. Unfortunately they carelessly put the other two wheels in the middle: possibly to get over the problems off getting off the kerb.
Probably got stranded 'high and dry' at the first speed bump if it wasn't carrying passengers.
Sir; Madam... could you please take your hats off? I can't see where I'm going.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t103/donthebat/Mabley2.jpg


It's called the Sunbeam Mabely. That has to be Baden Powell in the front... or maybe someone from Rent-A-prat.