DONR

I am in the process of converting my 66 vette from manual to Borgeson Power Steering. I bought the kit. The problem is that the car steering shaft does not line up with the Borgeson Gear Box shaft. The first picture is with my steering column all hooked up. The second picture is after I have the steering column completely unhooked, but the shafts still will not line up.
Have other folks had the same issue as me. I asked Borgeson to check their fabrication jig. They said it could not be off since it is for all C2 years. So no help. I think it is going to take a vibration reducer universal joint. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
Don

Nowhere Man

how well did you original box line up

kellsdad

I did the Borgeson conversion to my 63 coupe (with manual steering) about two years ago. The alignment on mine is about dead on and required no finesse on my part to make it happen. .... As I recall, the Borgeson steering gear attaches to the frame with three bolts and it's not complicated. If their piece was manufactured correctly, then either the frame is bent or there is something keeping the steering gear from seating all the way down on the frame. That's all I can offer.

65GGvert

In the second picture are all three bolts already in the frame?

tuxnharley

It lined up perfectly on my '67 with no problems.....

Hitch

Not sure about the guys that say it lines up... My kit came with a universal joint. No problems with it being in the set up. I love the Borgenson box...

HITCH

DONR

Here are the answers to all of your questions.

Nowhere Man - The old steering box lined up ok.

If their piece was manufactured correctly, then either the frame is bent or there is something keeping the steering gear from seating all the way down on the frame.

The frame has not been hit. The Borgeson box is pulled all the way up against the frame.

65GGvert - In the second picture are all three bolts already in the frame?

All 3 bolts are in place and tightened up.

I asked Corvette Central if I could trade the rag joint that came in the kit for a universal joint.

Don

tuxnharley

So what is it that you are not sure about? Mine lines up perfectly,
and with the rag joint.

ChattanoogaJSB

Mine lines up with the rag joint as well but I know you aren't the first person on the forum to have a problem. I read of one in the archives somewhere a couple years ago. May have been a slightly bent frame.

kellsdad

In my opinion, that is a lot out of alignment. If the old steering box lined up well with the steering column, I'd return the Borgeson unit for a replacement. That will determine whether the problem is with the steering gear or the frame. .... BTW, I couldn't tell exactly how they are misaligned. Could you shim the steering gear to align it better?

bosshog8

You don't have to return it to check the alignment. Take it off, match it to the old one and your answer will be apparent. It's either the the steering box hole alignment or you car. My guess is your car because they sell tons of these and they fit, mine included.

I personally would loosen the rag joint so I could get it together and then see how it operates, feels, etc. and decide what to do from there.

Bluestripe67

Looking at the red fiberglass fender panel in the background, it looks like replacement glass/front fender. Could that indicate the car was hit. i know you said it it wasn't hit, but if it was, these things could be related to the issue. Just a thought. I hope it's a simple fix. Dennis

hedgehead

Except for trimming the steering shaft, these units fit spot on.

tuxnharley

Yup. And with a '67 you don't even have to trim the shaft- just slide it up inside the 2 piece assembly. An easy perfect fit!

427Hotrod

Any chance it's missing the u-shaped piece inside the car between the column and the dash mount?

JIM

ChattanoogaJSB

It would only take a fraction on the frame to make the difference at the end by the column. Based on a little trigonometry

DONR

Well I loosed everythibg that I could and manage to get the rag joint started on the column shaft. It is only a few degrees off. It seems to turn OK.
I painted the inside of the side panels because I liked the look verses the bare fiberglass. I have a driver not an NCRS car.

Thanks for everyones input.

Don

alexandervdr

glad to see you had it fixed. You may have done so already, but in case you didn't here some advise. The steering column is held in place against the firewall with a support that can be moved around. Same with the bracket that holds the steering column against the pedal frame. I would still loosen firewall and bracket ends so as to release all stress on the system. Then tighten it back on.

Jack Hurley

65GGvert

The lower column slides up into the larger upper column just above the rag joint. It taps up in depending on the spacing of your column about an inch and a half. Move it enough to make the rag joint fit correctly. Spray some lubricant on the part of the shaft that slides in and tap up. I did mine installed on the car. That only works with a 67 and up shaft, the earlier ones you have to cut off the end of lower column.