Günther-C3

Hi all!

A few days ago I started a new project because I wanted a perfect steering for my Corvette.
There are some kits out there but for several reasons I wanted to build my own Rack and Pinion in a "heavy duty construction".

But first off, thank you so much to Mr.Vette (Gene) and vette427sbc (Chris) for their help and support!

The first item I built was the brackets for the rack. Thanks RickyBerg for the idea!
Here we go:




mounted on the rack




Then I placed the rack under the car to see how it looks like:




For the proper position of the rack I had first to fabricate the steering shaft.
Turning on the lathe for the proper diameter:


milling the surfaces for the u-joints:


done


and assembled with the u-joints:


Next I fabricated the tie-rods, also in a heavy duty construction:
outer tie-rod ends from Moog


selfmade tie-rod sleeves (Ĝ 22mm) and heim-joints:


and here ready assembled the heavy duty tie rods


Now I coud go on with the brackets from the frame to the rack:
First off, I made a template of carton:


then of a flat-steel (10mm thick)


after some re-work:


and here I finaly could make the first weld spot:


here you can see it with the steering shaft

Günther-C3

Here we go on with the passenger side. I thought it would be easy as at the drivers side, but it wasn´t. But with the CNC-milling machine it was not an issue
Template:


on the milling machine:






and here the template vs. the steel bracket:


ready for weld spot:


As you can see, there are no reinforcements at the brackets. I weld in the reinforcements at the end when I can get sure, that everything fits properly.

Günther

Günther-C3

Now I can go on with the bracket for the tie-rods to the rack. Here you can see the prototype welded together of 2 parts. It´s only a prototype and the final part will be a bended sheet of steel.

Pics of it will follow next week. But here the prototype:


For the proper position of the tie-rod pivot point I´ll have to make a tool to measure bump steer.
This fotos will also follow the next days.

On the picture below you can see the tie-rod clamped on the bracket to figure out bump-steering. But as promised, a detailed description and pics will follow.
Here preview:

I hope you enjoy the documentation

Regards, Günther

damoroso

Gunther, very nice work!! Interested in making another set of brackets and rods??

Günther-C3

To fabricate the brackets is verry difficult because the rack is verry, verry close the the motor mount bracket. So for me it is not possible to make a bracket that fits to 100% your car.
I can fabricate the tie rods for you, that is not a problem. PM me if want some.

Günther

Killer74

what is the rack out of nice job, love the write up .

billsfan

I want to know how you balanced the car 6' up in the air on one long jack!!??

69427

My compliments on your workmanship!

The tie-rod setup caught my attention. I'm in the process of doing a similar thing, but for the rear toe-rods on the C4 suspension under my '69.

Keep up the good work.

vette427-sbc

Awesome work, Günther!

75vetteman

with the type of car lift that i absolutely hate! the post on either side of the car with 2 arms that swing out... i put my 91 dodge shadow (unibody) on one and it temporarily warped my car! the doors wouldn't open well for a few days, and my driver door window came out of it's track.

brent319

NICE RACK! (sorry)
Those brackets are beautiful. Wish I had the tools and talent to do stuff like that.

stinger12

I hope this wasn't a serious question

HamadUP

That means your Dodge frame is just not strong enough, or maybe it has rust issues, I would check it out really close as this is a safety issue.

Zychron

I thought you had done the borgeson Jeep conversion?

Günther-C3

Yes I had.

riggs 74

Günther-C3, Great work, I like the documentation you showed building the support brackets, that is exactly the way I did mine, but have found that most people that ask me how to build them, don't under stand my explanation.

Have you had a chance to drive it and give your opinion on the rack verses the Steering box upgrade?

Again, nice work.

Riggs.

RobbSalzmann

Awesome work Günther!

Curious, where do you put a lathe and mill in your shop?

Günther-C3

Riggs, the steering conversion is not finished. This week I made a tool to measure the bump steering and so I can figure out the best pivot point for the tie-rods.
I think next week I can determine the pivot points and then I can finish the brackets (welding and weld in the reinforcements).

RobbSalzman:
The lathe and the mill doesn´t belong to me. They belong to the company where I work.

Günther

jerome1979

Great job Günther !!!

Günther-C3

The tool for bump-steer measure is ready. Now I´m waiting for the tie-rods bracket and then I can go on.





Günther