Hi guys, I’ve got a 1973 stingray and I’m seriously considering getting racking pinion steering fitted as it’s just brutal trying to park it in London just wanna touch base with people in the know. Love to find out what the view is on whether it’s a good idea or whether I should go for full power steering conversion or whether I should just get the original steering rebuilt. Additionally if anyone’s got any views on the cost differences between the Three that would be greatly appreciated.
Rack and pinion steering
- Thread starter Hugo T
- Start date
Roscobbc
Moderator
Does your Vette have factory power steering? - if not it could explain the 'weight' of the steering wheel. If it does have factory power steering it should be relatively light in operation and easy to use in London traffic. My '68 has factory PS, I have changed the stock nut-buster steering wheel for a comparatively small 12.5" wheel. Even this is comparable in terms of effort required with current power assisted cars.
Research the rack and pinion options available - some very mixed reports on these. The Borgeson steering box conversion is will thought of......not R & P but a conventional steering box without all the old school 1950's hydraulic rams and things hanging under the car. Me? - I happy enough with the old school stock set-up.
Research the rack and pinion options available - some very mixed reports on these. The Borgeson steering box conversion is will thought of......not R & P but a conventional steering box without all the old school 1950's hydraulic rams and things hanging under the car. Me? - I happy enough with the old school stock set-up.
Daniel B
CCCUK Member
I've got the factory power steering on my 72 and it's actually a reasonable feel, definitely no problems parking. The only issue I have is there's a bit of slop in it when going in a straight line so it can be a bit fatiguing. At first I was under the impression this was "normal for a C3" due to the "unique design" and I should get a rack conversion. But I've since found out that's absolutely not the case, it's just common for a worn C3.
As such I've got a friend over this weekend and we are going to go over it, adjust the box (both adjustments), check the joints, bushes, etc, see if we can't sort it out.
As such I've got a friend over this weekend and we are going to go over it, adjust the box (both adjustments), check the joints, bushes, etc, see if we can't sort it out.
Daniel B
CCCUK Member
I second what @Roscobbc said about the Borgeson conversion. When I was reading about rack and pinion mods for mine I saw it started in many places that fitting rack and pinion was a quite lot of work and the Borgeson boxes were a highly regarded, much simpler alternative. If I find out the issues with mine are going to need parts such as a new box I will likely go the Borgeson route.
Maybe I’m totally wrong, is it possible I do have factory PS in a ‘62 but it’s failed. Can I tell if I do have PS fitted without taking the steering column apart ?
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Everything you wanted to know about the GM designs specs for 1962 Corvette where just under 15,000 were made
I attached below in a 60-page PDF showing all design specs of the for 1962 and neither standard nor options you will see no specs for power steering
Though on page 51 shows there was a heavy-duty version with a RPO with heavy-duty functions
Read the PDF closely as lots of interesting design specs info for 1962 MY
Apologies yeah error on my part ‘72
CaptainK
Administrator
Easiest thing to spot power steering is the power steering fluid bottle attached via belt to the engine at the front. On mine its on the driver's side near the alternator. It'll have hydraulic lines coming out of it.
As above re: conversions etc. I've looked at conversions in the past to use rack and pinion etc, but its all too costly. The Borgeson box does seem to get good reviews etc. Personally, I have the factory power steering system and that is fine with me. Mine doesn't seem to have any play in it and seems fine, so no need to upgrade.
As above re: conversions etc. I've looked at conversions in the past to use rack and pinion etc, but its all too costly. The Borgeson box does seem to get good reviews etc. Personally, I have the factory power steering system and that is fine with me. Mine doesn't seem to have any play in it and seems fine, so no need to upgrade.
Mr. Cricket
Administrator
I have Steeroids R&P on my '66 big block C2 and steering is effortless. I have factory on the others which works well enough but they are prone to leaks which is a faff
Roscobbc
Moderator
Steeroids certain seem to get good reviews by some users - others seem to have had minor issues relating to reduced and/or unequal travel side to side.......quite possibly down to initial installation and set-up?
Flaming River
These people are known for custom and replacement steering columns - they offer a R & P product for Corvettes at $2.5K.....
Chuffer
CCCUK Member
A slight `dead feel` in the straight ahead position is a characteristic of recirculating ball steering but excessive play can hopefully be resolved by adjusting the screw down peg on the steering box . Be sure to carry out the adjustment with both front wheels jacked up off the ground until the slack goes but do not over tighten . I did that on my PAS 1980 C3 and it`s easy to do and the steering is fine and not hard work despite the 13 inch Grant GT steering wheel.
antijam
CCCUK Member
Make sure you do the adjustment to the wormshaft endplay first. Stock power steering on my '71 was light but very wayward; this was partly due to a shot rag joint that I replaced first before adjusting the Saginaw box - see here. After adjustment the steering is finger light and reasonably precise although probably not as sharp as R&P would be - still, that's part of the character of the car....
