MOD Rebuild of 8858

[Balrog]

Hey Guys. I have a little problem with a build and might need some help. But let me tell you a little story first to introduce my problem.

As a kid, I was totally obsessed with 8858 - Rebel Wrecker. But I never got it. I really loved the way, the front suspension was built. One day, a friend borrowed me the building instructions. I was sooooo happy. Well, that was until I realized, that I'd run into problems. I was missing parts. I didn't have any idle gears (still I have none today) to make the motor functions work. Nor did I have that "Technic Gear Rack 1 x 2.4 with Towballs". Oh... and not the fitting wheels. Anyway, I was somehow able to finish the build with motor and steering working.

In the last few days, while looking at older models, I thought I'd get out my old Technic collection and build it again. Finding a way again to not need the idle gear was easy. I simply used a chain. It works, though not too good. I guess I will replace it by rubber bands. But that is not my problem. I need to solve the problem with the steering. I have various styles of classic steering elements and the mounts and hubs needed in this model. So I first build it. this is what it looks like right now:

I put on the wheels from the Formula Flash and that is where ich got the steering hubs and mounts from. I kinda like it, though the wheels look pretty small. And I made some direct modification to not have the crane part, but keep the rear suspension intact.

Now for the steering I thought, I could use a different approach than with this:

Pic from Peeron

I used a cam part to make the movement from left to right, which should basically work and wanted to attach this part

with the flex steering as in the Formula Flash.

But the elements are one stud too wide. I don't have any 5L Flex parts instead of the 6L. Currently the steering would look like that (still broken):

On the picture you see my chain mechanic as well. At least the bottom part.

So, I just want to know, if anyone has an idea to make this work? I already though of widening the whole front construction from the 6L technic bricks to 8L, but then the middle suspension won't fit anymore. I know I had this working once before, but I have no idea how I did that (that was like 15 or 16 years ago when I built that).

[Samanen]

Looks good!

Just get the parts you need from Bricklink and you'll be able to finish it There you can find both the steering parts you need and the right wheels.

[Balrog]

I could do that, but honestly I wanted to have it built the way I did years ago. That's the challenge currently. But just now I got an idea. Though it would be somewhat illegal :D

[Balrog]

My idea failed. I wanted to use a longer flex bar und connect it with one of those Technic Axle Joiner Perpendicular. But I have no flex bar in the right length. One stud too long or one stud too short :(

Still, I am open for ideas.