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Just completed installation of Steeroids on my 1981 C3. Immediately upon installation completion and during system bleeding – cycling steering lock to lock, a rapid zipper noise was heard when cycling the steering wheel from center to right and from right lock to center. At that time, the source of the noise was not definitively identified. I drove the vehicle to and from frame shop for four wheel alignment (circa 20 miles in total). The noise was audible there and back. A visual inspection after driving it to and from the frame shop for alignment revealed witness marks of steering rack bellows rubbing on the lower RH edge of the tie rod bracket. After such a short distance, the witness marks in the bellows are already worrysome....like rub-thru likely within a couple thousand miles and subsequent premature rack failure. Anyone else have this issue?
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
I would contact Steroids and talk with them about this issue,
This is the first time I've seen this on the forum, the attachment plate may have been bent to much.
Just completed installation of Steeroids on my 1981 C3. Immediately upon installation completion and during system bleeding – cycling steering lock to lock, a rapid zipper noise was heard when cycling the steering wheel from center to right and from right lock to center. At that time, the source of the noise was not definitively identified. I drove the vehicle to and from frame shop for four wheel alignment (circa 20 miles in total). The noise was audible there and back. A visual inspection after driving it to and from the frame shop for alignment revealed witness marks of steering rack bellows rubbing on the lower RH edge of the tie rod bracket. After such a short distance, the witness marks in the bellows are already worrysome....like rub-thru likely within a couple thousand miles and subsequent premature rack failure. Anyone else have this issue?
Hi,
Was a solution to this stupid problem ever found? This is perhaps more serious for me, as I cannot import the car to The Netherlands with a bellows (or ball joint boot, etc.) with such damage.
I just received my first Vette and it has holes in the right-most 3 bellows ridges from rubbing on that stupidly-sharp corner of the tie-rod-bracket.
I will definitely be grinding that down to round it off, but, more importantly, are new bellows available and how on earth does one replace it?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Steve, in the NLs
Edit: Not only was the stupid, sharp-cornered bracket cutting a hole, but the big bolt towards the center of the bracket wore holes, as well. Terrible!
Last edited by ElmrPhD; Nov 11, 2022 at 10:39 AM.
Reason: Got more info'
Hi,
Was a solution to this stupid problem ever found? This is perhaps more serious for me, as I cannot import the car to The Netherlands with a bellows (or ball joint boot, etc.) with such damage.
I just received my first Vette and it has holes in the right-most 3 bellows ridges from rubbing on that stupidly-sharp corner of the tie-rod-bracket.
I will definitely be grinding that down to round it off, but, more importantly, are new bellows available and how on earth does one replace it?
Thanks for any help you can offer.
Steve, in the NLs
Sorry you have the same problem. At the time, Steeroids was not much help. I have not checked back with them since then. My solution was to remove the bracket, cut part of the offending portion of the bracket off without being so aggressive as to affect its structural integrity, grind everything smooth, then repaint. It still rubs, but it is far less and now against a friendly surface. When I have sufficient time, I will be taking it off again and remove a bit more material to completely eliminate the rub condition.
I am sure the bellows are replaceable. If memory serves, Steeroids uses the rack from the Ford Mustang. Sometime this weekend, I will take additional photos and post them.
Sorry you have the same problem. At the time, Steeroids was not much help. I have not checked back with them since then. My solution was to remove the bracket, cut part of the offending portion of the bracket off without being so aggressive as to affect its structural integrity, grind everything smooth, then repaint. It still rubs, but it is far less and now against a friendly surface. When I have sufficient time, I will be taking it off again and remove a bit more material to completely eliminate the rub condition.
I am sure the bellows are replaceable. If memory serves, Steeroids uses the rack from the Ford Mustang. Sometime this weekend, I will take additional photos and post them.
Regards,
Anthony
Hi Anthony. Thanks a bunch for your response.
I'm sure that I will do the same thing that you did - no choice, right?
But my direct problem is that the Dutch authorities will fail me during the inspection since mine actually has holes in it.
Yours (in the old pictures) was not nearly as bad as what I received with my car. So, let me warn you that not only did the stupid, sharp-cornered bracket cut a hole, but also the end of the protruding big bolt rubbed a hole in mine, as well.
Steeroids have yet to reply to my request for help...
Edit: I was too impatient with that last statement - Steeroids/SpeedDirect came back to me and have been actively trying to help me out, involving 2 of their tech guys (who provided opposing advice, but at least they're trying).
Good luck with your car.
Cheers,
Steve, in the NLs
C3 Corvette Steeroids - Rack Bellows Rubbing
