How the heck does the "Tumbler" steer?
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How the heck does the "Tumbler" steer? Expand / Collapse
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Posted 7/12/2005 5:04:41 PM
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Hello all,

First off, I apologize...this is probably way too technical, but it is bugging me and I can't find an answer anywhere else on the internet.
Ok, I'm a long time lurker, first time poster. I love this site and message board. There is some really awesome stuff here! A little background, I've always been a fan of the '66 and '89 cars, but admit my recent interest in building a replica has piqued due to the new movie coming out. Like some of you, I didn't really like the "tumbler" design when I first saw it, but it has really grown on me after seeing it in the context of the movie. So much so that I am actually considering building a scaled down version...(golf cart size) for myself and my four year old to cruise around in.

The one part that is really baffling me is the front suspension, or more specifically, the "steering" mechanism. Granted for the scale I'm thinking of working in, I can rig up a somewhat conventional tie rod setup, as accuracy isn't absolutely critical, but I'd really like to know how the "real car" does it and would rather duplicate that look, if possible.

I've analyzed all the pictures I can find of the front suspension. My best guess are some pretty beefy reversed mounted hubs/spindles, with "somewhat" vertically mounted tie rod end/steering arms connected to a multi-universal jointed track rod connecting the right and left wheels. Do the wheels steer like a conventional car or do they simply "tilt" as some of the pictures seem to indicate? It must have a terrible turning radius if that is the case! Does the "real car" even have front brakes? I don't see any conventional brake rotors in all the pictures I've seen, but some pictures look like there are stainless steel brake lines going to the hub. Does it use some kind of hub brake system??

I was hoping that any of the builders out there that have actually built their chasis could help shed some light on how they handled this, or point me in the direction of some more detailed drawings of the suspension. Thanks, and keep those build pictures coming!
Post #32792
Posted 7/12/2005 6:32:05 PM


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Last Login: 10/27/2014 6:30:59 PM
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The steering and brakes look like the front axle from a 4WD. Looks to me like they simply cut the axle tubes, reveresed the set-up, welded it to some square tubing and then figured out how to reconnect the steering. The up/down travel point is at the rear of the square tubing. That's what it looks like to me.



Post #32793
Posted 7/12/2005 7:53:49 PM


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Last Login: 3/3/2024 6:39:56 PM
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The car has dual hydraulic actuators on each arm that controls the steering.
Post #32794
Posted 7/13/2005 7:55:35 AM


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Nope!

Post #32795
Posted 7/13/2005 8:46:32 AM
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Thanks for the info guys. I hadn't considered using hydraulic actuators, but that would solve 2 of the issues I have concerns about. One, keeping the wheels in synch with each other while turning, and two, mounting a "mechanical" steering linkage on a "moving" suspension arm. Did you go with conventional disk brakes? Thanks again for the input.
Steve
Post #32796
Posted 7/13/2005 10:06:42 AM


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A friend is building the car not me. He used conventional disk brakes on the front end. He had access to a real car and told me that there were two actuators on each arm. He said that there were no mechanical linkage on the trailing arms.
Post #32797
Posted 7/13/2005 11:01:08 AM
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Nodeman- thanks for clearing that up. For anyone interested, here is the most detailed picture I've found of the suspension. I know it probably isn't all that interesting to most of you, I was just really curious how this thing works.
Post #32798
Posted 7/13/2005 11:03:53 AM
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Oops, sorry here is the link to the image.
http://www.chickslovethecar.com/images/uploaded/713200511050TumplerSteeringDetail.JPG

Steve
Post #32799
Posted 7/13/2005 7:21:12 PM


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Last Login: 10/27/2014 6:30:59 PM
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Here is the picture from batfan217.

Batmobile

Here are a few more close ups.

Batmobile

Batmobile



Post #32800
Posted 7/13/2005 7:24:23 PM


You reap what you sow

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Last Login: 9/19/2023 12:52:32 AM
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Wow I never seen those before.

Stop holding out on pics, Jack!







Post #32801
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