Steering Box and Tie-Rods

[Stallion]

I was looking in my book by Newton and I am on the steering system chapter and I have a couple of questions remaining about the steering system. I'm sure as I get further into the chapter, I will have more questions, but there are some things now that are quite baffling to my ears and eyes that I wish to clarify.

First off, Newton talks about the steering box and I wasn't sure I understood the functionality. If I'm correct, the steering box is what connects to the frame of the Vette? But, what is its main purpose? Are steering boxes on for power steering?

And, also about tie-rods. I see pictures of them and when they're connected to the Vette, but Newton doesn't really describe them and their purpose. It looks like it is just a "messenger" for the steering, but is that the purpose of it? If figured that the tie-rods were just the way to get the steering to the wheels, but am I wrong?

Thanks for the help!

TR

P.S. Mods, I'm not sure if this is C3 specific or not, so I didn't know of whether to put it in this forum or the General Tech one.

 

[Ala75Vette]

A couple of quick answers to your questions:

1) The "steering box" is the gear box at the end of the steering column that transfers the rotational motion of the steering wheel/column to the steering linkages and ultimately the wheels. You've got one whether you've got power steering or not.

2) Yes, tie rods are how you get steering to the wheels, but they've also got one of the adjustments for wheel alignment (by screwing in/out the tie rod ends).

Don't know just how technical or deep you're wanting to go with this..... I'd suggest getting a Haynes manual to start out if you don't already have one, then shop around for a GM Shop Manual for your year vette. Hope this helps some.....

 

[Stallion]

Okay, thanks for the definitions! Pretty much I'm trying to familiarize myself with Vettes and cars and their technical sides so when I go to look to buy a Vette, I'm not ignorant as to what I'm looking at under the hood. Thanks again!

TR