Power Steering Question ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kens65fb · 11-18-2020, 05:38 PM

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 ?

AcampoDave · 11-18-2020, 07:50 PM

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.

**The Rocknrod** · 11-19-2020, 09:52 AM

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

kens65fb · 11-19-2020, 03:12 PM

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

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**The Rocknrod** · 11-19-2020, 03:52 PM

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

kens65fb · 11-19-2020, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

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

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

**The Rocknrod** · 11-19-2020, 04:20 PM

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

kens65fb · 11-19-2020, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

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

Thanks, I feel better now.

**Captainfab** · 11-19-2020, 11:03 PM

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

**Todd46** · 11-20-2020, 12:31 AM

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

AcampoDave · 11-20-2020, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd46

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

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

kens65fb · 11-20-2020, 10:21 AM

[/ATTACH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

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

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?

**Captainfab** · 11-20-2020, 10:53 PM

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kens65fb

[/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?

AcampoDave · 11-21-2020, 12:49 AM

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.

**The Rocknrod** · 11-21-2020, 04:10 PM

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

11-18-2020, 05:38 PM	#1
kens65fb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Dallas, PA Posts: 551	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 ? Attached Images Last edited by kens65fb; 11-18-2020 at 05:39 PM. Reason: ...

11-18-2020, 07:50 PM	#2
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,780	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. Last edited by AcampoDave; 11-18-2020 at 07:57 PM.

11-19-2020, 09:52 AM	#3
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Power Steering Question ? I've used those steering u-joint dampers before from Borgeson, they work great. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

11-19-2020, 03:12 PM	#4
kens65fb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Dallas, PA Posts: 551	Re: Power Steering Question ? Also check out the pitman arm, that was used in the conversion, does it look right?

11-19-2020, 03:52 PM	#5
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Power Steering Question ? Looks normal to me. Is it hitting the front cross-member when you turn? __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

11-19-2020, 04:20 PM	#7
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	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. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

11-19-2020, 11:03 PM	#9
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	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 __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

11-20-2020, 12:31 AM	#10
Todd46 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Clovis Posts: 33	Re: Power Steering Question ? Haven't bought my PS box yet. Any recommendations?

11-21-2020, 12:49 AM	#14
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,780	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. Last edited by AcampoDave; 11-21-2020 at 01:35 AM.

11-21-2020, 04:10 PM	#15
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Power Steering Question ? Maybe the 73+ Pitman arm is shorter? - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=485849 __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?



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