LWT

I have a 1980 Corvette that I bought as a project. I'm not familiar with the power steering system on the Vette & it looks like -everything- has been leaking. Does anyone package all the components as a kit at a decent price? Or, if anyone has any suggestions on where to start?

CaseyJones

Welcome to our world. It's hard to find a C3 that doesn't have a leak in the steering somewhere after years of limited use or neglect. You probably need hoses, the ram and the steering control valve rebuilt or replaced just as I did on mine when I first got it. Not a hard job and not too expensive. Most supporting vendors have those parts in kits. I like Willcox because he offers discounts to forum members. Check the ads down the side of the webpage here and you'll find what you need. www.willcox.com, I think.

MelWff

www.willcoxcorvette.com

briankeery

www.borgeson.com

qwank

LWT

Thanks!!!

aussiejohn

LWT,

I have fitted a Borgeson #800108 to my '74 coupe and it brings the steering into the 21st century!!! I have a '74 vert as well and the difference between the two is quite noticeable. Give Jeff, Gil or Barbara at Borgeson a ring 860-482-8283 or look them up on www.borgeson.com. Unless you want your car to be NCRS-correct, then you owe it to yourself to upgrade to a far superior steering box.

More than likely the Borgeson box will cost you LESS than to buy all new parts for your existing set up, which would still leave you with 50 year old steering technology. Let's face it, do you still run the tyres that were available in 1980 or do you use more modern ones?

Go Borgeson.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

myko

Another consideration in this same light would be updating to rack and pinion steering. I have an 80 that I am building right now. I was surprised to find that a Steeroids conversion kit is not much more expensive than the Borgeson update given that you will likely need a new/rebuilt slave cylinder, control valve, tie rods, and pump in addition to the Borgeson box.

Keep in mind, I haven't driven a car with either setup so I'm not saying it will be superior. It's just another option.

tyancey00

i did the Jeep box and have never looked back. It does not leak on my friends drive way, and it drives nice. Worth the effort...
there are several threads on this. just search jeep box or borgeson conversion....

qwank

Just keep in mind the Jeep box and Borgeson are similar but different mods.

tyancey00

yes they are. Sorry. the jeep box requires several modifications, the Borgeson is a bolt up. the prices reflect this too....

LannyL81

Are there any pictures of the Borgeson unit installed? Would like to see how the hoses are routed and how the drag link adapter fits?

TedH

Both Van Steel and Vette Brakes (VB&P) rebuild and sell rebuilt kits. I installed the kit from Vette Brakes before I realized Van Steel offered it. No issues since install around 2002. It's a messy job as the fluid will be all over the parts you remove and most of the underside of the engine/front suspension.

MIKE80

I had my steering box blueprinted by Gary. He did an awesome job.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...t=steering+box

briankeery

So as you can see LWT...........LOTS of options. Good luck.

LWT

Thanks again guys. Great info!

tyancey00

Sooooo,,, what cha gonna do? :-)

LWT

I'm still doing my homework. I have to replace the mess that's on there now. I'd love to have the Borgeson kit, but, money matters so I haven't ruled out the jeep thing.

tyancey00

money mattered to me as well. I bought the box for 50 bucks at the junk yard. had a guy make the hose for 25 bucks from work... had to pay a hundred for the rag joint. i would say i have about 200 wrapped up in it. The hoses would be expensive if i had not gotten the brother in law deal on them....
nothing is cheap. You can prolly fix what you have by rebuilding the one you have. Check around and see if anyone in your area is a C-3 guy that works on his own car. I am sure he will be able to tell you about this repair. we have all had to deal with it....
tim

LWT

I've been sidetracked for awhile so I still haven't pulled the trigger on fixing this. I'm back on it again. My Corvette is built as a street/strip car so I've been looking at doing a new Borgeson manual steering box. I know some of you will cringe but I'm running skinny 4inch wide front wheels. Any thoughts?