Play in Borgesson Box
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 325
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From: Bala Cynwyd PA
Play in Borgesson Box
Installed Borgesson box and rag joint last winter while engine was out. Steering is better but still has 1/2 in of play at the steering wheel that I have isolated to the box. The rag joint is tight. The input shaft turns slightly with no movement at the pitman arm. Same result with engine running or not. I tried adjusting using hex and locknut on the top of the box but it does not get tighter. Is there another adjustment, or is it a bad box?
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1/2” of play is about 4 degrees on a 15” wheel. That seems pretty good to me. There is always a bit of gear play in a steering box. Without it the gears would wear prematurely. Gary can say whether 4 degrees is excessive or not, but seems normal to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Loveland
I have the Borgeson on a 68. As far as I can tell I have very little play, for sure not 4 inches. OOP's 4 degrees not 4 inches. Never mind. 
Last edited by kodpkd; Dec 25, 2021 at 02:49 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 511
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From: Timnath, CO
I also had a loose allen screw. When I turned the wheel I could feel some tension and then the wheel would slip when the tip of the allen screw moved over the notch on the shaft. It was a bit scary thinking what would happen if it loosened more.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Bham, Alabama
I had a similar issue when I installed mine. I tried everything to correct it and eventually sent it back to Borgeson for inspection/correction. They sent it back and said nothing was wrong. I reinstalled and it worked like a champ.
After scratching my head to try and determine if I installed it incorrectly the first time or if Borgeson just didn't want to admit an error they correct, I thought about the fact that I never check the fluid level after originally installing it. (Dumb mistake). Now I think my issue was the fact that I filled the pump and never topped it off after cranking it and filling the lines and steering box. You all know how hard it is to get that cap off.
So, I would say to make certain you have checked your levels and have enough fluid in it. I know this should be a no-brainer, but some of us miss the simple things.
Keith
After scratching my head to try and determine if I installed it incorrectly the first time or if Borgeson just didn't want to admit an error they correct, I thought about the fact that I never check the fluid level after originally installing it. (Dumb mistake). Now I think my issue was the fact that I filled the pump and never topped it off after cranking it and filling the lines and steering box. You all know how hard it is to get that cap off.
So, I would say to make certain you have checked your levels and have enough fluid in it. I know this should be a no-brainer, but some of us miss the simple things.
Keith
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 325
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From: Bala Cynwyd PA
Thanks Keith! I will definitely check that as well. I've heard that the fluid pressure helps to tighten up the system, but that has not been my experience. So maybe it's because the fluid is low. Unfortunately I'm traveling with my family and won't get to check on it for a few days.
Scott
Scott
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 325
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From: Bala Cynwyd PA
Thanks Keith! I will definitely check that as well. I've heard that the fluid pressure helps to tighten up the system, but that has not been my experience. So maybe it's because the fluid is low. Unfortunately I'm traveling with my family and won't get to check on it for a few days.
Scott
Scott
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 325
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From: Bala Cynwyd PA
Follow up. It was the Allen screws with the lock nuts. I am surprised that this system is used on the steering column. I tightened the heck out of the Allen bolts when I installed it last winter. I was afraid I was actually going to strip out the Allen keys. When I checked them yesterday the lock nuts were solid, but there was at least a quarter of a turn on each of the Allen set screws. Thank you for the replies!
Scott
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
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From: Loveland
I am confused. The rag joint is either splined or had a double D connection. Either way the steering shaft shouldn't twist. The set screws are only there to keep the shaft from pulling out.
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From: New York
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I'm looking for suggestions on my Borgeson box instillation. I don't like the rag joint connection, as there is always some movement because the steering column is not in perfect alignment with the Borgeson box. To eliminate this, I decided to use the u-joint option Borgeson suggests on their website. Problem is, it has 48 splines and the splines on our C-3 columns is less than half that, so it won't slip on the steering column.
I was told gauges are grounded through the steering column, so a ground bridge over the rag joint must be provided. Because of the constant, albeit slight flexing at the rag joint, the ground could be compromised over time. To insure this won't happen, I decided to use the u-joint suggested by Borgeson. Problem is, the u-joint with 48 splines is not compatible.
Has anyone else made this observation and how has your rag joints held up with the ground bridge? Any helpful suggestions by those who have traveled down this road before me is welcome. BTW, this is a fresh engine/trans upgrade and I have not yet finished the assembly and brought her back to life. I'm just trying to do it right the first time and avoid future issues. Thanks in advance to helpful comments!
I was told gauges are grounded through the steering column, so a ground bridge over the rag joint must be provided. Because of the constant, albeit slight flexing at the rag joint, the ground could be compromised over time. To insure this won't happen, I decided to use the u-joint suggested by Borgeson. Problem is, the u-joint with 48 splines is not compatible.
Has anyone else made this observation and how has your rag joints held up with the ground bridge? Any helpful suggestions by those who have traveled down this road before me is welcome. BTW, this is a fresh engine/trans upgrade and I have not yet finished the assembly and brought her back to life. I'm just trying to do it right the first time and avoid future issues. Thanks in advance to helpful comments!
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I used a steel u-joint from Borgeson. Mainly because i have turbocharger right under it and it gets a little toasty in that area.
One thing that gets missed on Borgeson installs is sometimes the pitman arm isn't the correct one and splines are off a few teeth. There were some first versions sent out and folks would center box to position the arm forward like stock...but that is actually not the center point of the gears and there is more play off center. If adjusted in that spot..it will be too tight as you turn it back through the true high point/center.
Best indicator of this issue is the turning radius is a lot shorter one way than the other. The correct arm places the pitman facing forward when you're dead center of right/left.
JIM
One thing that gets missed on Borgeson installs is sometimes the pitman arm isn't the correct one and splines are off a few teeth. There were some first versions sent out and folks would center box to position the arm forward like stock...but that is actually not the center point of the gears and there is more play off center. If adjusted in that spot..it will be too tight as you turn it back through the true high point/center.
Best indicator of this issue is the turning radius is a lot shorter one way than the other. The correct arm places the pitman facing forward when you're dead center of right/left.
JIM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
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From: Space Coast Gator Territory
The Borgeson u-joint is 48 splines, so how did your Borgeson u-joint slip over the splines on your Corvette steering column? I actually have a u-joint from another manufacturer and suspect it is the same as the Borgeson with 48 splines. The one I have does not even come close to fitting over my steering column. My column also has a flat spot with no splines, in addition to having less splines with wider teeth. Unless I can get a u-joint that will slip over my steering column, I am left to using the rag joint and living with the slight flex, due to slight misalignment. This will require providing a ground bridge at the joint. If anyone has overcome the u-joint spline issue, through purchase or modification, please enlighten me? Thus far, I have not had a problem with the pitman arm spline compatibility.
Race Director
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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I dunno...mine is a C2.....haven't paid attention to C3 column. Must be different...
CK Speedway..they have a lot of u-joints for steering.
JIM
CK Speedway..they have a lot of u-joints for steering.
JIM
