Power Steering Question ?
 

I am about to install an Ididit steering column.

I will be changing the steering shaft to 3/4" DD shaft, I already got the 1"dd to 3/4" dd adapter to connect to the steering column.

I would like to add a rag joint to smooth out the steering feel, when I swap out my present shaft for the DD shaft.

My present steering box is a # 780 2644 and works well, but the previous owner eliminated the rag joint, and added some type of u-joint.

Can someone figure out what he did ?

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

Hi Ken,
Those U joints are rather common and they can come from companies like Borgeson with the ability to dampen steering vibrations like this: https://www.jegs.com/i/Borgeson/153/...IaApUpEALw_wcB that way they can take the place of a rag joint. I used them on my own trucks too. The reason they are nice is because adding a power steering adapter offsets the steering box by the width of the plate which makes the box a bit off center from the column. The addition of a second (non-dampening ) U joint at the column will allow the mid shaft to track to the side thereby overcoming the offset. I have also seen power conversions where the installation changed the angle of the box relative to the column and the U joints were needed to restore a "straight shot". You can overcome an angle change with one U joint, but it takes two to properly overcome an offset. U joints in a column also reduce the odds of a driver becoming impaled by the rod in the event of a serious head on collision. The rod will likely buckle at the joint changing it's trajectory away from the driver. Bogeson tech support is rather helpful with product selection and part numbers and their website was of some help to me too when I did mine.

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

I've used those steering u-joint dampers before from Borgeson, they work great. ;)

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

Also check out the pitman arm, that was used in the conversion, does it look right?

Attachment 2061762

Attachment 2061768

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

Looks normal to me. Is it hitting the front cross-member when you turn?

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

No it doesn't hit at all, but I thought it probably should go up higher on the threads, no?

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

From what I understand and I haven't seen it, but the CPP unit rides higher. Yours right now looks like mine.

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

Thanks, I feel better now.

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

The pitman arm should be onto the sector shaft farther. But since your steering box is not inline with the steering column, it likely won't hit the crossmember

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

Haven't bought my PS box yet. Any recommendations?

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

Readhead steering gears https://redheadsteeringgears.com/ I bought a manual box from them and it really does have zero play.

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

[/ATTACH]Thanks for the reply.
I already purchased an Iditit column, a 1"DD to 3/4" DD u-joint, and a 3/4" DD shaft, to connect the steering column.

If I purchase a u-joint vibration damper to connect to the steering box, will this bring the steering back in line?

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

No it will not. The misalignment has to do with the way the steering box is mounted. That is just the nature of the steering box adapter plates that everyone else sells. They are all a copy of one original adapter plate from many years ago.

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

But with the U joints the steering shaft would be aligned even though the box is off center. Edit: Well not in a straight line, but in a functional manner of speaking it would work similar to a driveshaft.

Re: Power Steering Question ?
 

Maybe the 73+ Pitman arm is shorter? - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=485849