let us know how the install goes
Borgenson Steering Box
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I've heard of these but don't know much about them. They are direct bolt ins that will give you a better steering ratio and no leaks right? With that better gear ratio does it make the steering easier to turn? Mine is a little harder than it should be but I need an alignment and hope that will fix it. If not and this will I might be doing one of these upgrades too.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
I've heard of these but don't know much about them. They are direct bolt ins that will give you a better steering ratio and no leaks right? With that better gear ratio does it make the steering easier to turn? Mine is a little harder than it should be but I need an alignment and hope that will fix it. If not and this will I might be doing one of these upgrades too.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...g-install.html
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne
I found it a quick and relatively easy install, even with Hooker headers/ side pipes. The difference is quite amazing.
The only down-side, the biceps were really starting to bulk up from the effort, it's so easy now all that hard work may be obsolete
)
The only down-side, the biceps were really starting to bulk up from the effort, it's so easy now all that hard work may be obsolete
)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,681
Likes: 200
From: Waterford Mi
I installed mine last fall. It takes a little time to make sure the steering wheel is aligned right. Fairly easy install.
Instillation
Instillation
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Completed the install and thought I'd post a few pics. A few comments:
1. The job was tougher than I thought it would be.
2. The old parts came out OK but the new ones were a bit of a struggle.
3. The column collapsed easily but I went about 1/2" too far. It isn't too hard to get it back out.
4. The Borgenson box is larger in the "head" than the stock unit making it a tighter squeeze with the Hooker Comp side exhaust.
5. I didn't remove any exhaust (PIA) so I worked around it (PIA!).
6. Had to re-adjust the clutch as the linkage ran into the steering box.
Now, it is time to get an alignment!! Should work great!!!!!!!
1. The job was tougher than I thought it would be.
2. The old parts came out OK but the new ones were a bit of a struggle.
3. The column collapsed easily but I went about 1/2" too far. It isn't too hard to get it back out.
4. The Borgenson box is larger in the "head" than the stock unit making it a tighter squeeze with the Hooker Comp side exhaust.
5. I didn't remove any exhaust (PIA) so I worked around it (PIA!).
6. Had to re-adjust the clutch as the linkage ran into the steering box.
Now, it is time to get an alignment!! Should work great!!!!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Check his first picture. It looks like the clutch linkage is not stock! That could account for the interference. I didn't have that issue at all with my stock clutch linkage.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 60
From: USA
also, did the pitman arm seat on the shaft adequately? to get enough threaded shaft sticking through for the nut & lockwasher to engage thoroughly?
I read that was an earlier issue...
thanks for the pics & commentary.
I read that was an earlier issue...
thanks for the pics & commentary.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
The clutch linkage is not stock - a Speed Direct replacement. I adjusted the top shaft all the way short and lengthened the bottom shaft.
The threads don't come quite as far thru the nut/washer as the stock unit but it is close. I figured I would re-check after driving for a few miles to be sure the nut is secure. It should be - I torqued on it with my breaker bar quite hard several times.
Thx, Gary
The threads don't come quite as far thru the nut/washer as the stock unit but it is close. I figured I would re-check after driving for a few miles to be sure the nut is secure. It should be - I torqued on it with my breaker bar quite hard several times.
Thx, Gary
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Looks good Gary...
Also looks tight with the header tube. I would like to have this, but I think I am S.O.L. with a BB. I had to ding the holy hell out of my header tube to get it past the stock steering box.
Try the at home alignment and steering wheel center job, its not that difficult. It is a PIA, but do able.
Also looks tight with the header tube. I would like to have this, but I think I am S.O.L. with a BB. I had to ding the holy hell out of my header tube to get it past the stock steering box.
Try the at home alignment and steering wheel center job, its not that difficult. It is a PIA, but do able.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,012
Likes: 2,253
From: Corsicana, Tx
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I've got it on my car with 2-1/8" Hookers and exhaust ports raised .600". Fit pretty nice overall. I did need to use their u-joint instead of the rag joint to clear the #7 header tube but no biggee. I did an article in Corvette Enthusiast on it.
JIM
JIM
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Now that I've driven the car and gotten an alignment I feel a vibration. I'll be re-checking all of the fasteners, including the pitman arm. I spec'd -1 degree on my camber as I want to hit the corners as hard as I can with as much rubber making contact with the pavement.
427Hotrod - I like the u-joint. I may switch to it just so it looks better.
Thx, Gary
427Hotrod - I like the u-joint. I may switch to it just so it looks better.
Thx, Gary
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
How did you collapse the column?!
The only way I could see doing that is if you sheared the plastic pins in the shaft to telescope the shaft inward.
This is a safety feature to allow the column to collapse in the event of an accident so that the column doesn't skewer you in a head on.
Is this what Borgeson instructs customers to do?
Elm
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Careful, buddy!
[QUOTE=glackore;.
427Hotrod - I like the u-joint. I may switch to it just so it looks better.
Thx, Gary[/QUOTE]
Gary,
Remember this: The Corvette body is attached to the separate chassis with rubber mounts and there can be movement between the two. This potential movement is why GM used a rag joint in the first place. A uni joint will not allow for any movement here and you could well have alignment issues if you went this way. This would cause excessive wear on the lower steering column bearing, the steering box itself, etc.
Think carefully before you go this way.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
427Hotrod - I like the u-joint. I may switch to it just so it looks better.
Thx, Gary[/QUOTE]
Gary,
Remember this: The Corvette body is attached to the separate chassis with rubber mounts and there can be movement between the two. This potential movement is why GM used a rag joint in the first place. A uni joint will not allow for any movement here and you could well have alignment issues if you went this way. This would cause excessive wear on the lower steering column bearing, the steering box itself, etc.
Think carefully before you go this way.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Not quite correct.
This comment worries me-
How did you collapse the column?!
The only way I could see doing that is if you sheared the plastic pins in the shaft to telescope the shaft inward.
This is a safety feature to allow the column to collapse in the event of an accident so that the column doesn't skewer you in a head on.
Is this what Borgeson instructs customers to do?
Elm
How did you collapse the column?!
The only way I could see doing that is if you sheared the plastic pins in the shaft to telescope the shaft inward.
This is a safety feature to allow the column to collapse in the event of an accident so that the column doesn't skewer you in a head on.
Is this what Borgeson instructs customers to do?
Elm
Yes, the shaft (and column) is designed to collapse in a frontal collision to protect the driver, but there is nothing unsafe going on here. The plastic pins were inserted in order to keep the shaft at a finite length for ease of assembly on the production line.
Shearing them will not affect the shaft's ability to collapse and will not compromise the car's safety in any way. Two inches of "collapse" will only give more contact between the inner and outer steering shafts which could be considered safer than stock.
Granted, there is about two inches less of "collapsibility", but there is still plenty left. Don't worry about it.
To collapse the column, just place a lump of hardwood or aluminum over the splined end and hit it with a big hammer. You might want to place some Vise Grips on the shaft about two inches down from the bearing so that it won't collapse too far if you overhit it.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn