Mugen bulldog steering modification??

[tiger1]

Most of you who have owned a Mugen bulldog before may not disagree that the Mugen bulldog steering was a terrible design. I remember most people lock out the rear steering.

Anyone know how to meaningful modify the front steering so that it works decent?

[tiger1]

any suggestion from anyone?

[highwayracer]

"works decent" is tough to define.

The bulldog came with the z bend rods and airplane hardware so I'm guessing that there's a lot of play and binding. I haven't put the steering on my bulldog yet, but I've decided to go with something that works vs. the exact factory setup.

I'll be using dubro ball studs, tie rod ends, 2-56 threaded rods and standard airplane bell cranks (L shaped). I still want to keep it looking period correct..so no tecnacrafts. I'm keeping the 4 wheel steering just because it was one of the "innovated" features during that time...even though we all know that it makes driving the car a handful.

I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Regards,
highwayracer

[tiger1]

The problem that I have the Bulldog is that the steering is insufficient, or it understeers. The turn radius is huge for such a short wheelbase car.

[highwayracer]

Are you using the 4 wheel steering? Also, make sure that your diffs are smooth (especially the front).

[RETRO R/C]

I took some pics for BORMAC recently of my modded Bulldogs.

WIll see if I can dig em out - or perhaps he may beat me to posting them.

Cheers

Darryn

[RETRO R/C]

The two Bulldogs that I have picuted here are highly modified from back in the day with custom diffs and other bits and peices, as well as the steering. Can take more pics of the cars tomorrow if you guys want to see.

Here are some close ups of the steering. Tricky, however simple little set up.





Cheers

Darryn

[tiger1]

You actually anodised the chassis in red!!!!!

What was that rod made of, was it brass rods that you used?

Also, how is the servo supposed to hook up with this steering??

More photos please, may be even the whole car

Many thanks. Many many thanks

[Bormac]

I was handed one of these exact same steering mods from an old school racer about a year ago. Inside of the chassis there are in fact 2 square sections of brass-one inside the other. They are a neat fit you can be sure. Basicaly the internal section is the width of the trans housing-flush at each side with the alloy side plates. Now the second and outer section is the internal width or the width of the black plastic gearbox inner. The outer section had a hole drilled in it and solder set in place to stop the 2 sliding apart. I had to drill then file a square hole in the side plates to get mine set inside the housing. Once bolted together it wont go anywhere and acts as a perfect guide for what will be the solid brass push rod/steering rod. The servo mounts upside down and the steering tie rod from the servo horn is attached to another brass section which is bent to shape and acts as the point from which the servo pushes and pulls. From here your steering track rods are bolted to the outside of each end.
Its quite a simple little setup and Im happy with the way mine works too.

[tiger1]

Thanks guys. One day I will show my mod

[besty22]

Hi Darryn,

Is that frame dyed or painted?

Gonna try that mod for the vintage race!

Besty

[RETRO R/C]

Its actually dyed mate! Looks good in black!

The car handles really really well - but would not go harder than a stock motor for running - the drivetrain is simply not up to the task without mdification.

Cheers

Darryn

[besty22]

I might try to dye mine but it's pretty scuffed. Might be better with paint.
Polycarb paint should stick ok I hope. I really want red.

[Ayk Viper]

I think the first modification before any chassis drilling should be the optima steering blocks shown and improved rods with ball ends. The Bulldog isn't understeery in nature but is subject to slop and bending.

Retro, did any Team Pitstop gear make it your way...or any of the 80s 'Taipan' modifieds?

[RETRO R/C]

Rebuilding a Taipan now - also building a 4wd as well with cable.

The "Pitstop" (same guys as the Taipan) Bulldog had lost of different mods - even a carbon chassis. The version you see in the pics above is by another company based in Sydney back in the day - "RPM Engineering". It has custom diffs, and lots of other small mods.

The Bulldog was a highly successful and popular car here in Aus - its a shame other counrties did not have the same success with it.

Cheers

Darryn