Steering question?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Huntersville NC
Steering question?
Does it make sense for 1 tie rod to be way out and one way in? I am trying to get my steering centered enough to take it in for an alignment. Since the pitman arm is keyed it only goes on one way. When I get my steering box to what I believe is the center I have to make the driver side rod very short and the passenger side tie rod very long. Doesn’t seem like I should have to do that. Any ideas about what I am doing wrong. I had the entire steering system off the car. Put Borgerson box on, striped and painted all my linkage, new ball joints, new rag joint , everything. Got it all back together pretty well but the tie rod lengths are bothering me a little. One other question, using an air torque wrench I could only get the pitman arm nut even with the bottom of the shaft, it wouldn’t go up any higher so that some of the threads would come thru the nut, is that normal?
Thanks - Brian
Thanks - Brian
Last edited by bmcnitt; Apr 2, 2010 at 07:51 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
Hi Brian,
My Borgeson installation came out the same way. I had to run the driver's side WAY in and the passenger side out quite a way to center the box. I still didn't get it exactly centered but it steers fine and will go stop to stop on both sides. I think it's a function of the Borgeson box.
Get it close and take it to the alignment shop. You'll love it!
Steve
My Borgeson installation came out the same way. I had to run the driver's side WAY in and the passenger side out quite a way to center the box. I still didn't get it exactly centered but it steers fine and will go stop to stop on both sides. I think it's a function of the Borgeson box.
Get it close and take it to the alignment shop. You'll love it!
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 87
From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Hi Brian,
My Borgeson installation came out the same way. I had to run the driver's side WAY in and the passenger side out quite a way to center the box. I still didn't get it exactly centered but it steers fine and will go stop to stop on both sides. I think it's a function of the Borgeson box.
Get it close and take it to the alignment shop. You'll love it!
Steve
My Borgeson installation came out the same way. I had to run the driver's side WAY in and the passenger side out quite a way to center the box. I still didn't get it exactly centered but it steers fine and will go stop to stop on both sides. I think it's a function of the Borgeson box.
Get it close and take it to the alignment shop. You'll love it!
Steve
Do you get the same radius on the turns left and right???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Huntersville NC
Because of the 4 "keys" on the pitman arm I believe it will only go on in 4 positions, and only one of those positions is workable. I dont see how you can rotate it just a spline or two, can you? I centered the wheel but then I was forced to put the pitman arm on the only way it will go on unless I missed something. Boy I would hate to try to get that arm off that box again that is a nightmare.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 859
Likes: 53
From: Magnolia Texas
66BlkBB asked.. "Do you get the same radius on the turns left and right???"
The turning radius is a function of the stops on the lower "A" frame with the steering knuckle up against it. Before adjusting the tie rods, it would touch only on the right side. After adjusting the rods, it touches on both sides so the turning radius is as tight as it can get.
I ran into the same thing with my pitman arm on the Borgeson box. The old box was centered (I rebuilt it just a few moths ago) but the Borgeson "keys" appeared to be in a different location for the original box, about one tooth off. Adjusting the tie rods fixed it. Of course, the toe in had to be reset but that was a simple job on the alignment rack.
By the way, a pitman arm puller is cheap and makes the job of getting the arm off very easy. In fact, some parts houses might even loan you one.
Steve
The turning radius is a function of the stops on the lower "A" frame with the steering knuckle up against it. Before adjusting the tie rods, it would touch only on the right side. After adjusting the rods, it touches on both sides so the turning radius is as tight as it can get.
I ran into the same thing with my pitman arm on the Borgeson box. The old box was centered (I rebuilt it just a few moths ago) but the Borgeson "keys" appeared to be in a different location for the original box, about one tooth off. Adjusting the tie rods fixed it. Of course, the toe in had to be reset but that was a simple job on the alignment rack.
By the way, a pitman arm puller is cheap and makes the job of getting the arm off very easy. In fact, some parts houses might even loan you one.
Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 24
From: Simcoe Ontario
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