Steering shaft alignment
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 56
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From: Apple Valley Ca.
Steering shaft alignment
Hi Gang
I have just replaced my original C-3 steering box with a Borgeson power steering box. I solved all of my clearance issues (I hope). Now with the box in place my column shaft and box shaft don't exactly line up with each other.
Using a rag joint how much misalignment is allowable ?
Thank -- Rey
I have just replaced my original C-3 steering box with a Borgeson power steering box. I solved all of my clearance issues (I hope). Now with the box in place my column shaft and box shaft don't exactly line up with each other.
Using a rag joint how much misalignment is allowable ?
Thank -- Rey
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The FIRST thing you must do is make sure that the Borgeson box is centered. That's the starting point. Then the steering column needs to be centered (there is an index mark on the wheel-end of the shaft which should be at 12 o'clock position). With those in that position, the ragjoint gets installed; if there is any 'offset' it should be small.
From that point, the steering rods/links get assembled properly. Last thing is to get a good front end alignment where 'centering' is finalized with tie-rods getting 'tweaked'.
From that point, the steering rods/links get assembled properly. Last thing is to get a good front end alignment where 'centering' is finalized with tie-rods getting 'tweaked'.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
If you're saying the column doesn't align with the box, sits hi, low or off to one side slightly. There are 2 nuts inside the car at the base of the column that attach it to the body. Loosen those and also loosen the two bolts holding the column up to the dash. You should have a couple inches of alignment there.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,267
Likes: 4,362
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rey,
If your column is the original and is mounted in the original way:
The AIM Steering Section indicates the up/down adjustment for the column is at the vertical slots in the flange plate located on the column just on the interior side of the firewall. UPC9, Sheet A4, View A.
It also appears to indicate the side to side adjustment to be on the column support bracket. UPC 9 Sheet A4, Items #3 and #9.
Even though you're using a different steering box perhaps the rag joint set up and tolerances may still be the same. UPC9, Sheet A5 and view A.
Regards,
Alan
If your column is the original and is mounted in the original way:
The AIM Steering Section indicates the up/down adjustment for the column is at the vertical slots in the flange plate located on the column just on the interior side of the firewall. UPC9, Sheet A4, View A.
It also appears to indicate the side to side adjustment to be on the column support bracket. UPC 9 Sheet A4, Items #3 and #9.
Even though you're using a different steering box perhaps the rag joint set up and tolerances may still be the same. UPC9, Sheet A5 and view A.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jan 7, 2017 at 02:10 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Ahh! Axial alignment....
The GM ragjoint is probably good for somewhere aroung .050" offset. I'm sure there was some design criteria re. axial offset, but I have no idea what the spec was.
The column has some ability to be adjusted with the mounts and bolts under the dash. The box can be tilted up/down a bit via some mounting bolt hole clearances. The box could also be shimmed toward the engine; but it can't go the other way.
Good luck.
The GM ragjoint is probably good for somewhere aroung .050" offset. I'm sure there was some design criteria re. axial offset, but I have no idea what the spec was.
The column has some ability to be adjusted with the mounts and bolts under the dash. The box can be tilted up/down a bit via some mounting bolt hole clearances. The box could also be shimmed toward the engine; but it can't go the other way.
Good luck.
