c66vet

Inquiring to find out if anyone has encountered this problem. I have installed the steering gear, attached the pitman arm, installed all the tie rods. When turning the steering gear. The zerk fitting on the tie rod ball joint on the drivers side of the car hits the lower A arm. The contact point is about 1/2 inch on the A arm, after this point there is no clearance problems.

Tie rods are installed in the back holes on the steering knuckle.

Is it possible that the bracket on the steering gear my be off 1 or 2 degrees? I believe a more backward angle on the mount would solve the clearance issue with the A arm. Don't know if this would effect the steering wheel shaft alignment.

My next plan is to file down the side of the A arm where the zerk fitting makes contact giving me 1/8 inch clearance in this area.

Thanks

427Hotrod

Got any pics??

JIM

67*427

Pictures would help. In my case, the adjuster sleeve bolt straps on the driver's side scraped the lower control arm but rotating the straps 180 degrees fixed that problem. I can't see how the zerk could be hitting.

I'm trying to envision what you are seeing... If the zerk is coming out of the side of the joint and pointing forward, how about the tie rod end on the other end of that rod; is it pointing forward as well? If so, reverse that tie rod and now they both point back. Again, pictures would help.

Steve

c66vet

I ened up filing down the side of the lower control arm where the zerk fitting was hitting. I now have about 1/4 inch clearance. The last photo shows the zerk below the lower control arm, as the wheel turns the tie rod moves in a up ward motion and clears the lower control arm.

c66vet

I am thinking of installing the stock steering gear to see if it makes a difference with the tie rod clearance on the lower A arm. By doing this I can determine if the welded bracket on the Borgeson unit is installed correctly or if there is a problem with the lower A arm. Any thoughts??

66since71

Something big is wrong... pitman arm, tie rod ends, relay rod. Or the steering box comes out in the wrong spot? You should have an inch of clearance at the point where you rub! Your tie rod ends look awfully 'fat" to me. A lot of extra material extending past the rubber boot.

As you suggested, you might try mounting the orginal box and fixing the shaft position to some reference on the frame, then compare that to the new box...

Sorry I cannot be of more help...

Harry

67*427

I agree about the "fattness" of your tie rod ends. I looked at mine ('67 with Borgeson) and there is probably 3/4 inch or more clearance. I'm bettng it's the tie rod ends you have.

Let us know what you find!

Steve

larrywalk

I just looked at my '65...

1. The tip of my zerk fitting is 1/4" behind a vertical line extending downwards from the control arm bolt head.

2. The edge of the control arm flange extends to the plane of the large conical washer which holds the control arm bushing, but not beyond.

Conclusions:
Your tie-rod ball joint is closer to the control arm than mine.
Your control arm lower flange is wider than mine.

Are you using a new pitman arm or the previous (stock) arm?
Is the control arm new?

c66vet

Update to what I have installed new and original.

- Pitman arm is the stock original arm
- Steering relay rod is the stock original arm
- Tie rod ends are the Heavy Duty Tie Rod ends from VBP (non original)
- Tie rod sleeves, Heavy duty Tie Rod Sleeves from VBP (non original)

I have looked at another Corvette and have noticed that the Heavy Duty Tie rod ends are bigger than the stock tie rod ends.

I will place a call to VBP to verify the tie rod ends. I was thinking of removing the zerk fitting and placing a plug in its place.

Thanks for the observations and suggestions. I will continue to update the thread as I work through the solution.

c66vet

Today I called Borgeson and explained the issues I was having. Borgeson told me that when the engine is installed in the chassis the geometry of the tie rods will change. Boregeson told not to do anything until that time. I will wait and see motor, goes in next week, waiting on replacement oil pan.

OCS1667

Why did you not use Corvette Steering's unit. Where did this Boregson unit come from. When I did mine the go to unit was Tom's and It's worked great and no install problems. Oh yes, it was installed way before the engine.
Dennis

naasaa

c66vet

Did you ever solve this issue?

I'm doing a complete frame off rest of my 68, and have installed a new Borgeson steering gear, and found the same issue as you.

I haven't installed the engine yet, but can see how that will fix the issue.
To me the Borgeson bracket seems to be the culprit!

Lars

c66vet

I filed down the lower control arm where the tie rod end was hitting, giving me 3/8 inch clearance. My tie rods and tie rod ends are not stock and larger than the stock tie rods and ends. The tie rods and ends where part of a Front End rebuild kit purchased from Vette Brake Products (VBP) in St Petersburg, Fla.

BADBIRDCAGE

Since it is a POWER steering setup try installing the outer tie rod ends where they go with factory power steering, in the holes nearest the spindle. The factory put a plug in the rear tie rod end positions on P/S cars so that you couldn't mix it up.

I also run the VBP tie rod ends and sleeves with no interference problems.

66since71

Old thread... In the meantime there was a discussion here about how the Borgeson system changes the angle of the pitman arm shaft, apparently to create clearance for their box. Wonder if that's related...

Harry

70mph@2200rpm

I have the same issue with my newly installed Borgeson.
I called Borg. tech dept. and they claim that they have never heard of this problem.
Really?

Mid Year Man

What did you guys figure out on this? My engine is also out of the car, and I called Borgeson and they said "this is a 40 year old car and the geometry is not the same on all of them" so the pictures look like mine.

c66vet

I modified my lower control arm, filed down the area that was hitting. My project is in paint. I plan to move the tie rods to the power steering holes. and see how this affects the clearance. Do not know how this will affect the steering ratio.

cookie_monster

I had the same problem and found these fittings at Grainger. They are almost flush, thus saving about 1/2". However, you will need to buy an adapter for your grease gun ($10). I have a few extra (they came in 10 packs) and will be happy to send you a couple - PM me if interested.

TC233

I have a 63, and installed the Borgeson and have no issues at all.