Steering System Overhaul
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
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Steering System Overhaul
im going to overhaul my steering in my 77 in a few weeks any suggestions on how to make it good. I have been thinking about adding a collapsable steering column when i rebuild it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
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From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Go Borgeson!
purenergy,
If your 1977 Corvette has the original factory column, it already is a collapsible one. The fitment of collapsible columns to Corvettes started in 1967.
The best steering upgrade that you can do is to replace your antiquated power steering system with a Borgeson integral power steering box. Unlike you stock system, the Borgeson unit does away with the need for the control valve, power ram and four hoses that hang around under the engine.
The power ram is built into the steering box, and so is the control valve, which makes the box a little longer than the standard one. All you have to do is "collapse" the column an inch or two so that the box will fit. It bolts in using the same three factory holes, and comes with new nuts and bolts.
You will need to replace the control valve on the end of your drag link with a Drag Link Adapter, fit a new rag joint between the box and steering column shaft and two new hoses to connect the pump to the new box. All these are available from www.borgeson.com
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
If your 1977 Corvette has the original factory column, it already is a collapsible one. The fitment of collapsible columns to Corvettes started in 1967.
The best steering upgrade that you can do is to replace your antiquated power steering system with a Borgeson integral power steering box. Unlike you stock system, the Borgeson unit does away with the need for the control valve, power ram and four hoses that hang around under the engine.
The power ram is built into the steering box, and so is the control valve, which makes the box a little longer than the standard one. All you have to do is "collapse" the column an inch or two so that the box will fit. It bolts in using the same three factory holes, and comes with new nuts and bolts.
You will need to replace the control valve on the end of your drag link with a Drag Link Adapter, fit a new rag joint between the box and steering column shaft and two new hoses to connect the pump to the new box. All these are available from www.borgeson.com
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Or just rebuild the components you have now. If the pump was working and not noisy, chances are it just needs a re-seal job. The control valve is not difficult to rebuild, if there are not any 'hard' parts to replace; just disassemble, clean, reseal and rebuild. Replace all the hoses and rebuild the end seal on the power cylinder (there is no way to rebuild the internal seal). It's a dirty job...mostly clean everything up and repaint effort. Rebuilding is the easy part. About $100 for hoses and seal kits and your labor will get the job done.
P.S. You will have to assess the need for rebuilding the steering box. Jim Shea has some technical write-ups about how to do that. Search the Forum archives for that info. If no slop in steering box, it may just need to be repacked with fresh grease (use hi-temp synthetic if you change it or add to it).
P.S. You will have to assess the need for rebuilding the steering box. Jim Shea has some technical write-ups about how to do that. Search the Forum archives for that info. If no slop in steering box, it may just need to be repacked with fresh grease (use hi-temp synthetic if you change it or add to it).
Last edited by 7T1vette; Feb 14, 2010 at 08:46 AM.
