steering box

[topless82vette]

I was thinking about the driving issues related to my vettes steering system, but don't much feel like spending the big bucks on a steeroids, I've seen pictures of a few ford boxes that sure look like whats on my vette however these boxes have the power steering lines going directly into the box, I'm thinking a box like this surely has to be better than the setup thats on my car, I have a WS-6 84 trans am and love its steering could a box like this be swapped at all, by the way yes I replaced all my power steering stuff on the vette and it still doesn't feel as great as I think it should

any thoughts on this type of conversion

 

[80convertible]

Have you adjusted the steering gear lash? I did so and it made a HUGE difference. Not that the steering is perfect. In fact, I have lots of play up front due to worn parts all over the place. However, it was very difficult to keep the car driving in a straight line the steering was so loose. I adjusted the lash and it made the car feel so much different. Also, remember how old the steering gear box is...22 years old on your car. Maybe a rebuilt box would be the answer.

Jim

 

[Shawn's 78]

Jim,
I have a little slop in my steering at the box. How do you adjust the "lash"?
Shawn

 

[Mako]

Power Steering solution

The best solution to the C3 PS problem (leaky, heavy, poor on center, lousy ratio) is to replace it entirely.

The best setup I've found so far comes from this small company:

http://www.corvettesteering.com/

It entirely eliminates all the "stuff" under the cross member, very cool indeed.

CYa!
Mako

 

[topless82vette]

mako

thanks alot, that setup looks like the perfect setup for my car, have you ever tried it ???

 

[80convertible]

Shawn,

If you are looking at the steering box, you will see a screw with a lock nut directly on top. Loosen the nut and turn the screw clockwise about a 1/4 turn. Then check your steering. You don't want to overtighten the screw which is adjusting the lash. You can cause problems...so just do it in 1/4 turn increments. If you have a Haynes manual turn to section 10-13 and look at the pic in the upper right corner. Use the directions in the manual for proper procedure.

Jim

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Be carefull of the safety concerns. My mechanic tightened mine up and boy did it make a big difference. Unfortunately the car wouldn't return to a straight path when you let go of the steering wheel. There is a trade off between the two.

We loosened it just to the point where the steering wheel would return to center. A trade off.

Bob

 

[80convertible]

Topless,

If you make this conversion, please post your results. I would be interested in this conversion. Steeroids rack and pinion is way to expensive for my taste, but if I can find a better system I'm all for it.

Jim

 

[Shawn's 78]

Thanks Joe
I'll give it a shot when I get home tonight.
Shawn

 

[Mako]

mako

thanks alot, that setup looks like the perfect setup for my car, have you ever tried it ???

The quality of the parts in the kit is not a question as streering box is a brand new GM truck unit modified to fit into the stock C2/C3 Corvette location.

The owner of the company is one of the best steering box and steering column overhaul/repair guys around - he's been working on Corvette steering systems since about forever.

High quality parts and de-complicating the stock setup are the attractive parts of this kit. I'm very tempted to convert my car to PS with this kit, but...

My only concerns are racer boy lunatic fringe in nature:
Converting to PS will add a modest amount of weight to the car and PS pumps eat HP.

Since my car is a manual car, I'll have to also buy pulleys and a pump (any pump will do, it doesn't have to be a Vette pump) and a bracket/mount of some kind adding to the conversion cost.

As long as your happy with the non-stock appearance of the new box under the hood and are sane enough to ignore racer boy weight and horse power paranoia, this one is a no brainer.

CYa!
Allen

 

[topless82vette]

ok so now I have found a very nice setup for my vette .... is anyone interested in all of our old power steering stuff off the car, of course minus the power steering pump, the control valve was recently replaced with a new one not rebuilt one, control valve might have 3 miles on it at the very most, the hydraulic ram was a rebuilt one at some point when I am not sure but doesn't leak a drop, all lines were new when control valve was replaced, Im pretty sure I got the control valve from mid-america, if no mounting brackets for anything are needed for the new steering box I will include old brackets off the car as well

I will take a reasonable offer for it all, soryy wont piece the stuff out

 

[Mako]

ok so now I have found a very nice setup for my vette .... is anyone interested in all of our old power steering stuff off the car, of course minus the power <snip>
anything are needed for the new steering box I will include old brackets off the car as well

I will take a reasonable offer for it all, sorry won't piece the stuff out

Cool, any chance you can take photos of the install and post them on the www?

Tnx!
Allen

 

[dmrodco]

HOLD THE PHONE !!!!

Hey check this out , http://www.speeddirect.com/Products/STEEROIDS/Corvette__63-_82/corvette__63-_82.html
Its a Rack and Pinion setup for C3's . Man I am all over that. Mine is going to get this. My C4 steers so smooth and nice if I can get my C3 to do that its worth every penny. The best thing is its all bolt in so if I want to do a full resto one day I can with so problems ! Very Cool. See ya Dewayne

 

[Mako]

Re: HOLD THE PHONE !!!!

Hey check this out , http://www.speeddirect.com/Products/STEEROIDS/Corvette__63-_82/corvette__63-_82.html
Its a Rack and Pinion setup for C3's . Man I am all over that. Mine is going to get this. My C4 steers so smooth and nice if I can get my C3 to do that its worth every penny. The best thing is its all bolt in so if I want to do a full resto one day I can with so problems ! Very Cool. See ya Dewayne

Yep that's the steeroids setup. Very nice, but ~2x the cost of the other setup. I think that's a Volvo? rack (which is just fine). Visually it looks better though, as it's mounting in the same basic location as the stock setup.

CYa!
Mako

 

[dmrodco]

This is supposed to be a GM steering rack ( thats what they advertise ) however I have no idea what its out of. I guess they would have to let you know if you ever needed to replace it.

 

[80convertible]

If you really want to study up on the steeroids system, go to corvetteforum.com. There was a group purchase of this system recently. You will find several post discussing performance after the install.

Jim

 

[Mako]

This is supposed to be a GM steering rack ( thats what they advertise ) however I have no idea what its out of. I guess they would have to let you know if you ever needed to replace it.

Volvo is owned by GM, so you could make that claim honestly for a Volvo rack, but it could very well be a rack from a domestic application. Regardless, other guys have installed the Steeroids setup and have been quite happy with it.

I think one of the Vette rags had an install of the system for an article a couple years ago. Might be worth digging that article up for any helpful tips.

CYa!
Mako

Edit: Good reference to the corvetteforum.com. People are reporting a mostly clean install, some minor clearance issues need to be solved is all. The January issue of Corvette Fever magazine has an install article on Steeroids.

 

[Jack]

If you really want to study up on the steeroids system, go to corvetteforum.com. There was a group purchase of this system recently. You will find several post discussing performance after the install.Jim

At same site, I believe there've been posts referencing recent installs of the corvette steering setup (ps sector ... not rack). BTW, don't bother asking CS to sell just the custom pitman arm without first purchasing the entire kit ... ... not gonna happen.
JACK:gap

 

[topless82vette]

steeroids rack is a GM rack for small cars like grand am, lumina cars like that

 

[Mako]

steeroids rack is a GM rack for small cars like grand am, lumina cars like that

Excellent info, good to know that, tnx!

Mako