Two or Three Universal Joints

[Gippetto]

I am about to buy the components to connect my steering shaft to a M2 front end with a T-Bird power rack. I am retaining my stock '47 GMC column and adapting it with a "column saver bearing" kit. I found it pretty impossible to measure the angle between the racks's shaft and the column so if its more that 35 degrees you need a three joint system. Under 35 then two will do it.
I know this has been done many times but I never noticed the details of the connection.
It looks tight between the rack's shaft and the frame so that might add to the jogs. Can any of you old salts tell me your experience? Thanks.

[OrrieG]

My recollection is that racks require at least three with a center support bearing, sometimes 4 if you have to snake around headers. I have a front frame mounted box and used 1/2 conduit to simulate the shafts and duct taped the ends to the steering box and bottom of column to confirm I would not need a center one. You definately need to mock it up so you can find where to mount the center support and verify the angles of the universals. Ideally you want them to all be about the same.

[Gippetto]

Its wide open, running a 235. The conduit mock up is a good idea, Thanks

[Advanced Design]

It is and I use wood dowel rods for the mock up of the steering shaft. Inexpensive and easy to work with. Borgenson has really good "how to" on their website.

[Gippetto]

I am planning to use Borgeson, actually won a $50 gift certificate door prize at a car show earlier this month. Must be an omen.
Wood will make the mock-up easier; also thinking about PVC tube.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Gippetto

I am planning to use Borgeson, actually won a $50 gift certificate door prize at a car show earlier this month. Must be an omen.
Wood will make the mock-up easier; also thinking about PVC tube.

Here is photo of mine, much simpler than yours. I used a bolt inserted into the column end of the pipe so I could get a pretty accurate measurement from the end of the column shaft to end of steering shaft. Once in place,tightened the coupler screw to secure and carpenter angle finder did the trick.

[Advanced Design]

Here is one where I used a vibration damper with joint, a double joint in the middle an a joint near the rack. Difficult to see are the two support bearings. Apologies for fuzziness. Borgenson will set you up....kinda pricey and worth it imho.

[Gippetto]

I mocked up the angles using PVC and a piece of conduit for the steering shaft. It looks like the first set of pix you posted, two joints only. I measured 15 and 20 degrees which says I am good to go with two joints. Sorry I, at this time, don't know how to upload the pictures I took of the setup. It is like your first application.
I will be talking to Borgeson shortly and will also be buying the colum saver bearing kit to cut down the column.
Appreciate your help. I will post my results.

[Chris.]

Originally Posted by Gippetto

I mocked up the angles using PVC and a piece of conduit for the steering shaft. It looks like the first set of pix you posted, two joints only. I measured 15 and 20 degrees which says I am good to go with two joints. Sorry I, at this time, don't know how to upload the pictures I took of the setup. It is like your first application.
I will be talking to Borgeson shortly and will also be buying the colum saver bearing kit to cut down the column.
Appreciate your help. I will post my results.

I'm going to use my stock column from my 50 and am wondering where you found the bearing kit?

Thanks,
Chris

[OrrieG]

CCP makes the column saver kit.

Here is how to post images, I use the advanced manage attachments box below to load from my computer. This requires getting the images from my phone to the computer. You can also load them to a site like photo bucket and paste and copy the img link into your post.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...b3_attachments

I would be interested in seeing how you routed from the column to a power rack with only two joints...

[Gippetto]

Chris,

Eckler's Classic Chevy has the column saver.

http://www.ecklerstrucks.com/chevy-t...1947-1959.html

I am ordering mine today.

Also, an article from Street Rodder I came across may help:

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/...umn_saver_kit/

The links have to be cut and pasted, sorry.

[Gippetto]

OrrieG

Tried to insert picture and got a "security token missing" message. Not giving up though administrator says I am at fault. Running out of time this morning.

Regarding the two joint routing to a power steering rack, I might need a double ujoint at the rack end because of the close proximatey to the frame. The shaft aims right at the frame so the shaft has to turn immediately. A double there with a heim from the frame then straight up to a single on the steering shaft seems like it might work. I will talk to an application guy at Borgeson before I buy anything.

Thanks for your inputs.

[Gippetto]

OrrieG and Advance Design:

Pictures of my mockup are shown .
I think I will do what AD did with a double joint at the rack input shaft where it has to jog immediately to miss the frame.

Chris:

Yesterday, those dogs at Eckler raised the price of the column saver $5 for the Labor Day Sale today. Sale is 10% off on orders over $250. I cannot find another column saver for GM trucks. Classic Parts has one for F-100's. I am a cheap p----, trying to hold off for a coupon or something.

[Advanced Design]

Of course make certain the steering linkage will clear engine and components. Typically I have engine and exhaust manifolds installed then build around them. Once you have the universal joints, you can use the wood dowels to determine positioning of the joints and supports.

[Chris.]

Originally Posted by Gippetto

Chris,

Eckler's Classic Chevy has the column saver.

http://www.ecklerstrucks.com/chevy-t...1947-1959.html

I am ordering mine today.

Also, an article from Street Rodder I came across may help:

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/...umn_saver_kit/

The links have to be cut and pasted, sorry.

Thank you, I couldn't find the cpp one but I see info for it all over the web maybe they don't have it anymore

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Of course make certain the steering linkage will clear engine and components. Typically I have engine and exhaust manifolds installed then build around them. Once you have the universal joints, you can use the wood dowels to determine positioning of the joints and supports.

Also consider the PS pump if it is going to hang in the stock location.

[Gippetto]

Chris:

Tuckers out of Nevada has it for 69.00