RideTech Borgeson support bracket reviews wanted
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
RideTech Borgeson support bracket reviews wanted
My Borgeson is flexing to the point that its started to damage the frame. Gonna get the cracks welded and install the RideTech bracket.
Looking for firsthand reviews....Does it only help or does it correct the problem. It other words is it a band-aid or a fix?
Also, if anyone has any good suggestions please post'em. Thanks
Looking for firsthand reviews....Does it only help or does it correct the problem. It other words is it a band-aid or a fix?
Also, if anyone has any good suggestions please post'em. Thanks
Last edited by Bloodzone; Mar 31, 2019 at 12:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
There're videos here
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,508
From: Virginia
I installed it with the Borgeson install. I don't have anything to compare it to, but it does mean that the inside front left tire rubs on hard left hand turns. Apparently, using the stock bolts is possible with the RideTech brace. I haven't tried that, though.
I'd think that you are still bound by the flex of the frame itself, but the brace eliminates the flex from the mounting.
I'd think that you are still bound by the flex of the frame itself, but the brace eliminates the flex from the mounting.
Last edited by Bikespace; Mar 31, 2019 at 01:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 753
From: Doctors Inlet Florida
I also installed the brace at the same time as the Borgeson install after watching ignatz's video. It's an easy install but use the factory carriage bolt on the bottom for better tire clearance.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Thanks, I'm hoping my steering will be more responsive when I eliminate some of the flex from the gear box. Its not bad but I think it should be tighter than my old factor box.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
The video I made was taken with race tires on and as much caster as I could dial in. So it is an extreme case, the caster means the car is statically lifting up and down and the race tires are providing extreme static friction. Rolling friction and vehicle dynamics would considerable diminish that flex but I wasn't interested in undertaking a science project to see what that is. With 50 years on the car and a lot of stressing of that member I don't foresee future problems. I would say a "little flex is normal". That torque has to go somewhere! You can't make it go away. I doubt any difference will be noticeable.
Last edited by ignatz; Mar 31, 2019 at 03:28 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 20
I installed the Ridetech support brace with a Borgeson steering box. During my frame up build, and before installing the bracket, I could turn the steering shaft by hand and watch the box rotate on the frame. After installing the Ridetech bracket there was considerably less movement. I built an autocross specific car and feel the Rideteh bracket was a very worthwhile investment.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
UPDATE:
Just went for a test drive after Ridetech brace installation. Super Happy. Car is much more responsive. Before It had a little slop in wheel. That had to be from gear box movement. Now its instant.
Installation was a pain. Mainly because Hooker side pipe headers were in the way. Still only took 3 hours. The Brace is made from quality heavy duty material no flex whatsoever. I wish I had done it sooner.
Recommend to anyone with a Borgeson box.
Just went for a test drive after Ridetech brace installation. Super Happy. Car is much more responsive. Before It had a little slop in wheel. That had to be from gear box movement. Now its instant.
Installation was a pain. Mainly because Hooker side pipe headers were in the way. Still only took 3 hours. The Brace is made from quality heavy duty material no flex whatsoever. I wish I had done it sooner.
Recommend to anyone with a Borgeson box.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 52
From: Springfield, TN
Glad to hear that you installed it.
I put the Ridetech bracket on when I did Borgeson swap too, and then started doing some autocross with it last year - not nearly as fast as RIFRAFT though.
When I pulled the engine out this year, I started looking for any frame issues that needed to be fixed and/or areas that needed extra support. I thought that I might find some cracks or other issues around the steering mount, but that area all looked good, so I'd recommend it to anyone as a preventative measure if nothing else. IIRC, it was about $75 for the bracket and hardware, which is a deal compared to the time and expense of pulling things back apart to repair any cracks or other issues that might develop.
I put the Ridetech bracket on when I did Borgeson swap too, and then started doing some autocross with it last year - not nearly as fast as RIFRAFT though.
When I pulled the engine out this year, I started looking for any frame issues that needed to be fixed and/or areas that needed extra support. I thought that I might find some cracks or other issues around the steering mount, but that area all looked good, so I'd recommend it to anyone as a preventative measure if nothing else. IIRC, it was about $75 for the bracket and hardware, which is a deal compared to the time and expense of pulling things back apart to repair any cracks or other issues that might develop.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Glad to hear that you installed it.
I put the Ridetech bracket on when I did Borgeson swap too, and then started doing some autocross with it last year - not nearly as fast as RIFRAFT though.
When I pulled the engine out this year, I started looking for any frame issues that needed to be fixed and/or areas that needed extra support. I thought that I might find some cracks or other issues around the steering mount, but that area all looked good, so I'd recommend it to anyone as a preventative measure if nothing else. IIRC, it was about $75 for the bracket and hardware, which is a deal compared to the time and expense of pulling things back apart to repair any cracks or other issues that might develop.
I put the Ridetech bracket on when I did Borgeson swap too, and then started doing some autocross with it last year - not nearly as fast as RIFRAFT though.
When I pulled the engine out this year, I started looking for any frame issues that needed to be fixed and/or areas that needed extra support. I thought that I might find some cracks or other issues around the steering mount, but that area all looked good, so I'd recommend it to anyone as a preventative measure if nothing else. IIRC, it was about $75 for the bracket and hardware, which is a deal compared to the time and expense of pulling things back apart to repair any cracks or other issues that might develop.
The only difference I noticed was a proclivity for rubbing in street driving during tight left-handed maneuvers (u-turns) as has been mentioned above.
I switched to some hex bolts with rounded heads to minimize the incident and severity of rubbing issues.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Has anybody welded the bracket directly to the frame?
I'll be tearing my 73 down to the bare frame and am wondering if welding it to the frame would be a better option than using the bolts to delete more of the tire/bolt interference?
I'll be tearing my 73 down to the bare frame and am wondering if welding it to the frame would be a better option than using the bolts to delete more of the tire/bolt interference?