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Hi All,
I'm about to install a Borgeson steering box in my 71 coupe. For those that did the install, what length does the steering rod need to be collapsed? I believe it's 1 3/4 inches. Can someone confirm?
I did mine with the engine out and just installed the box temporarily with the new coupler and measured it. I managed to get the shaft retracted too far, so I put some tape on some vice grips and clamped it on the shaft. Then I used a block of wood against the firewall and prybar to push it back out a bit. I had to do a lot of cleaning on the shaft splines to get the new coupler on, and they looked pretty clean. The new coupler was pretty tight. Other than that it was pretty easy.
I've forgotten how far I had to collapse the column in my '73. The Borgeson instructions have you take some measurements during installation to confirm the distance. You can definitely go too far. I did. Mine was real tight and did not want to collapse easily. I hit it one too many times and ended up about 1/2" too much. I was having difficulty getting the column pulled back out at first. I ended up installing both halves of the rag joint and using some longer bolts temporarily to pull the rag joint and the column back into place. Then replaced the long bolts with the regular rag joint bolts. Worked very well.
Yes, I "tapped" the steering column in. I got it shorter, then put the new steering box in. I then noticed the column needed more "tapping". I wrestled the box back out and started to once again "tap" the column in to collapse it. It was then that I noticed the below:
Nothing collapsed. I feel like just locking the garage door and walking away. Thought I could do this. No fool like an old fool.
It doesn't matter how old the original thread is. It's still valuable information. I'm getting ready to install a Borgeson Box in my '73, so to me it was very timely.
And to me, just another reason NOT to install a borgeson box.
Exactly. Pounding on the shaft to shorten it??? I can't imagine what effect doing that has on the bearings and shear capsules. Or to the effectiveness of the column collasping in a front collision. I know it's been done on hundreds of Corvettes with no issues- that you know of. Sorry, not for me. Only way I would do this conversion would be to shorten and re spline the steering shaft.
I collapsed my shaft with a block of wood and a hammer and a vise grip on the shaft, with a pry bar and block of wood to extend it back to the coupler. I used my factory thru frame bolts, as they had the smooth carriage bolt head that will not bite into the tire on turns.
The problem I faced was with the PS reservoir nipple. The factory reservoir nipple was near the engine block and a forum search had other members buying a U shaped bend to make reaching the nipple with the Borgeson return line in that location more accessible. I didn't like that solution, but a little searching in my garage found a reservoir with the return nipple coming up on the fender side, perfect! Reservoirs are available in the aftermarket with that more favorable nipple location for under $50. Don't forget to insert the brass ferrules provided, before making your hose connection to your new box.
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Borgeson Steering Box Install
