Steering box - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mach92bill · 05-15-2015, 04:49 PM

After going through the post started by xvaircav about power steering boxes, I found a Toyota box, which looks as though it will be a fairly easy fit to an AD frame. My question is, compared to the critical alignment of the driveshaft in a drive train, how critical would the U-joint alignment be with the steering shaft? I know there are a lot of experts on the forum.

OrrieG · 05-15-2015, 07:29 PM

Borgsen has a comprehensive steering joint design tech article that lists the constraints and what type of joint to use. If I remember right the maximum working angle is 30% for single joints. Double joints are greater but you get into additional shaft support. You also need to get the phasing right. And all U joints need a little angle to work best.

mr48chev · 05-15-2015, 09:23 PM

Orrie pretty well said what needs to be said.

Keeping U joint angles to a minimum and keeping the joints in phase is paramount.

I've driven a couple of rigs that had steering shafts with ujoint that bound up when you turned the wheel more than a quarter turn to the point you had to apply extra pressure to get past the bind up point. I refused to align one of them for that reason. Main reason there was the joints in the steering were at such angles that there was no way they would work smoothly and allow the car to steer right.

If you do it right the steering will be smooth and return to center on it's own without binding up or otherwise having issues.

05-15-2015, 04:49 PM	#1
mach92bill Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Airdrie, AB Posts: 78	Steering box After going through the post started by xvaircav about power steering boxes, I found a Toyota box, which looks as though it will be a fairly easy fit to an AD frame. My question is, compared to the critical alignment of the driveshaft in a drive train, how critical would the U-joint alignment be with the steering shaft? I know there are a lot of experts on the forum.

05-15-2015, 07:29 PM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Steering box Borgsen has a comprehensive steering joint design tech article that lists the constraints and what type of joint to use. If I remember right the maximum working angle is 30% for single joints. Double joints are greater but you get into additional shaft support. You also need to get the phasing right. And all U joints need a little angle to work best. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

05-15-2015, 09:23 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,426	Re: Steering box Orrie pretty well said what needs to be said. Keeping U joint angles to a minimum and keeping the joints in phase is paramount. I've driven a couple of rigs that had steering shafts with ujoint that bound up when you turned the wheel more than a quarter turn to the point you had to apply extra pressure to get past the bind up point. I refused to align one of them for that reason. Main reason there was the joints in the steering were at such angles that there was no way they would work smoothly and allow the car to steer right. If you do it right the steering will be smooth and return to center on it's own without binding up or otherwise having issues. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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