Brogeson + U-joint
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 518
Borgeson + U-joint
Greetz all !!!
I did the Borgeson conversion and am …overall pleased with it. I find the steering feel to be a bit spongy. I do note that I completely rebuilt the linkage, balljoints, everything. I suspect that converting from a rag joint to a U-joint might sharpen things up a little. The rag joint I have came with the Borgeson kit and looks like a quality product.
I’ve read all the threads on vibration transmission and alignment.
I’d like to ask folks who have U-joints in their steering column…. did this make the steering feel more positive ?
MTIA DC3
I did the Borgeson conversion and am …overall pleased with it. I find the steering feel to be a bit spongy. I do note that I completely rebuilt the linkage, balljoints, everything. I suspect that converting from a rag joint to a U-joint might sharpen things up a little. The rag joint I have came with the Borgeson kit and looks like a quality product.
I’ve read all the threads on vibration transmission and alignment.
I’d like to ask folks who have U-joints in their steering column…. did this make the steering feel more positive ?
MTIA DC3
Last edited by DorianC3; Jun 21, 2022 at 08:41 AM. Reason: Stupid spelling mistake
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
I don't have a before and after to compare it to. I upgraded to a U-Joint right out of the gate. The front suspension may have been refreshed 20 years ago, but not by me, so only the steering components, to include the tie rods and idler arm, are new.
Steering is very positive, quick, and a bit too light, with no dead zone at all. I need to add more caster.
Steering is very positive, quick, and a bit too light, with no dead zone at all. I need to add more caster.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,018
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
I have bee considering the borgeson setup because I also feel the steering is a bit too light, seems like I drive over the wrong pebble at 70 and im finding the steering wheel needs more attention than it should.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I just posted a month ago about doing the flaming river U.
I had to remove my headers and steering box to get enough room to put in the big U that fits our steering column and stock splines
I have my power steering under driven by pulley size and a auto tranny cooler on the return line
I had to remove my headers and steering box to get enough room to put in the big U that fits our steering column and stock splines
I have my power steering under driven by pulley size and a auto tranny cooler on the return line
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,018
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
I just posted a month ago about doing the flaming river U.
I had to remove my headers and steering box to get enough room to put in the big U that fits our steering column and stock splines
I have my power steering under driven by pulley size and a auto tranny cooler on the return line
I had to remove my headers and steering box to get enough room to put in the big U that fits our steering column and stock splines
I have my power steering under driven by pulley size and a auto tranny cooler on the return line
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,018
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
yes thats what I meant.. smaller pump pulley would mean faster driven pump. it would be nice if I could just find a slightly larger pump pulley though.. otherwise everything else will be underdriven unless I find a pulley with multiple sized grooved pulley sections.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 518
I’m still here. I decided to enjoy the car this year rather than tinker on it and perfect it. That’s much more difficult than you’d think. My plan is to pull the body off next year, rebuild the steering column, rebuild the window tracks and much more.
For the moment, I need to remember why I bought the car…. to DRIVE it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 518
I have a tough time counting splines. Is there a PN floating around there for a quality U-joint that fits the Borgeson and my steering column ? @Bikespace
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,257
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I've got a u-joint on mine and don't notice anything bad. I used it because there's a turbocharger about an inch or so away from it and didn't figure the rag would last long.
But I can't see how a rag could be that bad really? It doesn't take anywhere near the steering input as the manual did with the rag??
But either way..the u-joint is good.
JIM
But I can't see how a rag could be that bad really? It doesn't take anywhere near the steering input as the manual did with the rag??
But either way..the u-joint is good.
JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I have a tough time counting splines. Is there a PN floating around there for a quality U-joint that fits the Borgeson and my steering column ? @Bikespace
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
That was for the stock steering box, like I have in my other car. 
In my 79, with the Borgeson, the end of the steering column is 1"x48. The Borgeson end is a 18mm DD. You'll need to pick the FR U-Joint that fits that end best.
I guessed wrong, and had to mill out the DD end a bit. Perhaps the 3/4"DD is correct, perhaps not. (19mm?). I can't even find my original invoice for that part, so I can't even say which one is wrong.
Here's the Borgeson rag joint. YMMV.
https://www.borgeson.com/Corvette-19...DD-X-1-48.html
In my 79, with the Borgeson, the end of the steering column is 1"x48. The Borgeson end is a 18mm DD. You'll need to pick the FR U-Joint that fits that end best.
I guessed wrong, and had to mill out the DD end a bit. Perhaps the 3/4"DD is correct, perhaps not. (19mm?). I can't even find my original invoice for that part, so I can't even say which one is wrong.
Here's the Borgeson rag joint. YMMV.
https://www.borgeson.com/Corvette-19...DD-X-1-48.html
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 323
From: San Diego
I have the Borgeson conversion kit with all new front bushings and a new rag joint and I cant seem to get the 'wander down the road' feeling out of it. Ive had the alignment done by two different shops with the directions from Borgeson and it still wanders a little.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
Many of the likely causes of wandering are in the tear suspension.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
Borgeson sells flow restrictors to reduce pressure and get rid of the too light wheel feel.
https://www.streetmusclemag.com/tech...flaming-river/
https://www.vividracing.com/borgeson...152793259.html
https://www.streetmusclemag.com/tech...flaming-river/
https://www.vividracing.com/borgeson...152793259.html