Thanks for the part numbers.

 

I just ordered the borg P.S. conversion for my 72 and was reading the directions for install last night. I noticed in the directions that we have to shorten the steering shaft by 3/4"?? I didn't expect this. No one has mentioned doing this, but what have you guys been doing? Did you pull the column to carefully tap it back in by 3/4" with a ball peen hammer?

thanks

 

Here's a good write up on the whole installation. You'll want to put wood between the shaft and hammer if you use a regular hammer. Be very careful not to collapse the shaft too far- read the whole post and it'll make sense to you. Good luck. I'm just starting my install too.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...n-install.html

 

Awesome! Thanks. Don't know why I didn't see that! good luck on your install. Let me know how it goes. I still have a few weeks before I can get mine going.

 

yes, make sure when you tap in the column that you do it in small increments.
I used a u joint from Speedway and only issue I had was the install. I had to line up the box w/ the steering column and put everything together before I could bolt up the gear box to the frame. Took a few trys to get it right. But other than that, steering is tight and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

thank you. good tip. I'll line everything up before bolting to check alignment. The kit came in the mail and looks nice. It does have some brass inserts to convert the new gear box for use with the included flared hoses. Kinda weird in that I would have thought for the price the hoses would have fit without this. anyone have trouble "tapping" in these brass inserts?

 

Keep us posted on your project and how you like it. I have almost pulled the trigger on this mod twice now. Forced myself to wait once I figured my tax bill. Government is taking the remainder of my fun money. How lame is that.

 

Did some test fitting of the new Borg P.S. upgrade gear box earlier today and found a few things I need help with.

First, the stock pitman arm does not want to go all the way on to the Borg shaft. No I have not used a press yet, but the pitman arm will take a lot of force to press the arm so that it is as flush as the original was.

Second, after I put the pitman arm on (about 3/4 of the way), I moved the the arm back and forth to check that I had the center point. I noticed that a small area of binding or roughness occurred around the centerpoint of range of motion.

Third, I was surprised at how far the shaft had to be pushed in. Someone else posted it was pushed towards the firewall up to the splines. This is nearly identical to my install.

Fourth, due to bad luck I presume the ragjoint did not want to slide onto the shaft. It required a hammer.

I test connected the box to the frame and the ragjoint between the steering shaft and gearbox. With the pitman arm disconnected I rotated the steering wheel and could still fill the binding. Measuring the rotational distance would be approximately 1 inch of binding area at the steering wheel. It is liveable I think, but comfortable.

I emailed Borg about the steering wheel.

Anyone else have these experiences? Any ideas?

thanks much!
Hawk

 

I did this install yesterday, and from reading various sources about the install I think I can shed some light on your issues.

1. Thats normal. Other pictures I've seen of the system installed don't have the pitman arm on all the way. I used a press on mine, and couldn't even get it on all the way. As long as the locking washer is compressed and your nut goes past the edge of the thread, you should be fine.

2. Can't comment on that, I didn't notice anything of the sort.

3. Same for me. I was a little concerned myself, but after looking over the whole system I'm convinced I did the install properly at that point.

4. I had the same issue, and so have others. One account I read the installer had to taper off the edge of the column to get it to slide on the least bit so he COULD hammer it on.


Sorry I can't be of more help!


-Curtis

 

Curtis, thank you for the comparisons. For added help, I also emailed Borgeson for their inputs.

They told me as long as the flat washer compressed I was good to go on the main pitman arm nut. In short the tech explained that their shafts had more than one application and that the amount of spline coverage I had was as intended. I asked about pressing the pitman arm on and he cautioned me against it for fear I would, "pop the sector shaft right through the aluminum top cap."

I asked about the small rough spot at dead center of gearbox rotational movement. He explained this as normal and it helps the box maintain center. Borgeson---"The high/tight center is normal for a new properly adjusted steering box. This will not be noticed once power is applied to the box and is done intentionally to help the box hold center."

I mentioned the misalignment between gearbox and steering shaft and he suggested that I purchase u-joint part number#014350. I just ordered it and will give it a try. Hopefully it will slide on the steering shaft a little easier as well.

more to follow...