C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stupid Steeroids question

Old Oct 14, 2008 | 04:00 PM
  #1  
Garys 68's Avatar
Garys 68
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Default Stupid Steeroids question

Why do the aftermarket power steering kits use the steeroids type cylinder with the separate tie rod bracket attached to it. Why not use a mustang type rack and pinion with the tie rods connecting to the end of the rack?
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2008 | 05:07 PM
  #2  
V-Twin's Avatar
V-Twin
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
Default

The difference you talk about is either center or end take off. With the end take off rack, the position of the 2 pivot points for the tie rods determine if it suits the front suspension or not. The C3 has a very narrow suspension when it comes to cross shaft distance. My brother did a lot of research on this and he has an end take off rack (front steering even) on his car but it won't fit without chopping up the whole car.

The center take off is actually a benefit in this case as you can adjust the center bracket for the proper bump steer geometry. True, an end take off rack is better suited to a double a arm suspension and front steer is preferable to rear steer but you have to use what works.

Oh, as far as the mustang rack, the Total Control Products rack is center take off too. The rack uses a woodward pinion and the rest is made by total control. The quality is about 100 times better than the cheap stuff you see in the steeroids and rack attack kits.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 09:04 AM
  #3  
Garys 68's Avatar
Garys 68
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Default

I noticed Flaming River offers a bolt on manual rack and pinion (end takeoff, so that must be doable) specifically for vettes and they also have several modified (narrowed) power rack and pinion sets.
I was considering putting in a Flaming River tilt column in my 68 and was looking at other options. It just looked like the end takeoff would be a cleaner and easier install.
Gary

Originally Posted by V-Twin
The difference you talk about is either center or end take off. With the end take off rack, the position of the 2 pivot points for the tie rods determine if it suits the front suspension or not. The C3 has a very narrow suspension when it comes to cross shaft distance. My brother did a lot of research on this and he has an end take off rack (front steering even) on his car but it won't fit without chopping up the whole car.

The center take off is actually a benefit in this case as you can adjust the center bracket for the proper bump steer geometry. True, an end take off rack is better suited to a double a arm suspension and front steer is preferable to rear steer but you have to use what works.

Oh, as far as the mustang rack, the Total Control Products rack is center take off too. The rack uses a woodward pinion and the rest is made by total control. The quality is about 100 times better than the cheap stuff you see in the steeroids and rack attack kits.
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 09:09 AM
  #4  
V-Twin's Avatar
V-Twin
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
Default

Yes, the flaming river rack is ETO but it's nowhere near ideal for bumpsteer geometry. The rack shaft is too wide. The fact that it fits doesn't mean it's a good solution. Check this out to learn something about the geometry:

READ THIS
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2008 | 10:09 AM
  #5  
Garys 68's Avatar
Garys 68
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 19
Default

Thanks, good article.
Originally Posted by V-Twin
Yes, the flaming river rack is ETO but it's nowhere near ideal for bumpsteer geometry. The rack shaft is too wide. The fact that it fits doesn't mean it's a good solution. Check this out to learn something about the geometry:

READ THIS
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Stupid Steeroids question



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:42 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE