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Topic: Borgeson steering box issue

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Re: Borgeson steering box issue (13/23)
 8/22/21 12:30pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

It has been my understanding that to shorten the steering column, you don't cut it, you pound it in with a hammer, collapsing it the required amount.  If your mechanic cut and welded it, maybe there is an alignment issue.

 



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Re: Borgeson steering box issue (14/23)
 8/22/21 3:34pm
BillHanna
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Cana, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box


Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 319

F4Gary said:

It has been my understanding that to shorten the steering column, you don't cut it, you pound it in with a hammer, collapsing it the required amount.  If your mechanic cut and welded it, maybe there is an alignment issue.

 

In this case, it was the casing that was too long, not the saft inside of it.
I took the car out today with the fabricated heat shield in place shielding the steering box from the exhaust, and it still binds up.  I guess I'll get a new steering column (shorter than the one I used the first time so it won't need to be cut) and see if that helps.

What I can't figure is that if it is the steering column itself binding, why does it only start after 15 minutes driving on a hot day?



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Re: Borgeson steering box issue (15/23)
 8/22/21 10:37pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

I believe there are some plastic pieces internal that are part of the collapsing of the column in the event of an accident. Perhaps these are expanding with the heat or something. That was why I suggested disconnecting the rag joint to see if the stiffness stayed with the column.



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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Borgeson steering box issue (16/23)
 8/22/21 11:24pm
BillHanna
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Cana, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box


Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 319

73shark said:

I believe there are some plastic pieces internal that are part of the collapsing of the column in the event of an accident. Perhaps these are expanding with the heat or something. That was why I suggested disconnecting the rag joint to see if the stiffness stayed with the column.

That is true for the stock column, but this is a generic tilt column that does not have the plastic pieces in it.  A 5/8 DD from the rag joint shaft rides inside the 3/4 shaft in the column.




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Re: Borgeson steering box issue (17/23)
 8/25/21 12:50am
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

FWIW, I've had my Borgeson box in for over a year and have not had any stiffness problems.  But I still do not have a lot of miles on it and have not driven it in extremely hot weather.  I actually have the opposite problem - boost is slightly more than I'd prefer.  @vettecountry recommended a washer kit to reduce the pressure, but I have not looked into it yet.  (Actually getting used to the feel)



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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: Borgeson steering box issue (18/23)
 8/25/21 2:47pm
VetteCountryLifetime Member
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Belvidere, IL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Black T-Top ZZ4 5Sp 16in Wheels


Joined: 10/24/2004
Posts: 436

Hi Dave, just bought another kit. I had 3 wachers and changed to 5. Did make a difference.

Re: Borgeson steering box issue -- Resolved (19/23)
 9/2/21 12:08pm
BillHanna
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Cana, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box


Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 319

The new (Chinese clone) steering column came yesterday, so I pulled the one out of the car (another cheap Chinese clone), and on the bench you could feel a hard binding.  Not sure what happened, but then, I guess you get what you pay for.  These columns are less than $300.00, and a good ididit or similar will cost close to $1000.00 (ones without the key option are about half that price, but I needed the ignition key option).

In order to get more room for my left foot on the clutch, I moved the steering column closer to the driver.  The original column had the steering wheel in my lap, which was the main reason I went for a tilt column that was shorter, but it was too tight a fit between the wheel and the door for my foot to get on the clutch.

In order to move the wheel a bit closer to the driver with this new column, I had to move the ignition switch on the column down a few inches.  This ment drilling and taping new holes, and welding an extension to the rod that goes from the key switch to the actual ignition switch down on the column.  (I also had to fabricate brackets to mount it to the floor and under the dash.)

Today I got the new column in place, and now I have room for my clutch foot along with plenty of room between me and the steering wheel.  The only issue now is the flat connector for the turn signal and horn wires -- it looks right but does not make any connections.  The last column had a similar issue and I repined the wires to an old original GM connector for the column.

If I have to replace this column in the future, I will bite the bullet and buy an American made column -- which I should have done the first time or two ;(

 



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Re: Borgeson steering box issue (20/23)
 9/4/21 8:12pm
BillHanna
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Cana, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box


Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 319

Well, today I finally got the '75 on the road -- what a difference with a steering column that does not bind and with the steering wheel in just the right place.  I hadn't really noticed the stiffness in the wheel until after it got hot before, but now it is smooth and easy to turn.  The seating position seems so much more comfortable -- one wouldn't think just moving a steering wheel a few inches could make such a difference; it's like driving a different car.

I even managed to convince the eBay seller to refund the price of the defective turn signal switch (he could not have afforded to pay for the effort it took me to install it -- the path that the wiring takes through the column is bizarre).

Today is a great day.

If anyone is hesitant in switching to a Borgeson steering box, take it from me, it is night-and-day from the stock Corvette steering system.

 



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Re: Borgeson steering box issue (21/23)
 9/6/21 2:48am
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

VetteCountry said:

Hi Dave, just bought another kit. I had 3 wachers and changed to 5. Did make a difference.



Awesome, I think I will look into it.  You get the kit directly from Borgeson?  



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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: Borgeson steering box issue (22/23)
 9/6/21 8:53am
BillHanna
Standard Member
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Cana, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box


Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 319

daveo76 said:
VetteCountry said:

Hi Dave, just bought another kit. I had 3 wachers and changed to 5. Did make a difference.



Awesome, I think I will look into it.  You get the kit directly from Borgeson?  

I bought it from Summit Racing -- they have free shipping.  There are a number of options depending on if you already have power steering and if you need a new power-steering pump or not, also based on the year of your Corvette.




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Re: Borgeson steering box issue (23/23)
 9/6/21 2:36pm
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

BillHanna said:
daveo76 said:
VetteCountry said:

Hi Dave, just bought another kit. I had 3 wachers and changed to 5. Did make a difference.



Awesome, I think I will look into it.  You get the kit directly from Borgeson?  

I bought it from Summit Racing -- they have free shipping.  There are a number of options depending on if you already have power steering and if you need a new power-steering pump or not, also based on the year of your Corvette.


Thanks, Bill - I was actually kind of hi-jacking your thread though.  I know Dick (VetteCountry) bought a washer kit to reduce the amount of assist for his Borgeson set up.  I was asking where he got the washer kit since I'm thinking of doing same.  






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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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