Topic: steeroids question
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
Lifetime Member
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas... 
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Dwain (Grandpa)! You might want to check this out
Steeroids Tech Info & Troubleshooting
http://speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=79
Lifetime Member I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...
Steeroids Trouble Shooting Guide
Page 4 of 23
copyright 2010 by SpeedDirect all rights reserved.
BINDING U-JOINTS
Making sure that your universal joints (u-joints) are operating correctly will insure
that products last the life of the vehicle and stay safe on the roads. One thing we
cannot stress enough with the Steeroids™ rack and pinion kits is the importance
of having your u-joints adjusted correctly.
If your u-joints are not adjusted correctly the most noticeable thing you will
experience is a ‘binding’ in the steering. You will notice a stiff spot in your
steering wheel every 90 or 180 degrees of rotation. This is caused by overangulation
or improper alignment of the u-joints. This may not always be
noticeable with power steering cars when the vehicle is running because the
boost of the power steering pump may overpower the binding and you may not
notice it. You need to make sure that the rotation of the steering wheel / u-joints
is absolutely smooth throughout the entire travel of the rack unit with the front
wheels off the ground and the engine off, rotating the shaft by hand. If you feel
any binding at all, it needs to be adjusted or else there will be premature wear.
Follow the steps below to make sure the u-joints are adjusted properly:
1) First, make sure that there are no shafts protruding into the center portion of
the u-joints. This includes the steering column, the intermediate shaft between
the two u-joints and the pinion shaft on the rack. If any shafting is protruding into
the center portion of the u-joint it can hang up on the yoke of the u-joint while it is
rotating and cause stiff spots and binding.
Steeroids Trouble Shooting Guide
Page 5 of 23
copyright 2010 by SpeedDirect all rights reserved.
2) Make sure that all of the shafts are completely engaged into the u-joints. The
steering column, the intermediate shaft and the pinion shaft on the rack unit all
need to be fully inserted into the u-joint (but not protruding into the center portion
of the u-joint as mentioned above).
3) Be sure your u-joints are phased correctly. Use the chart below to determine
correct phasing:
Steeroids Trouble Shooting Guide
Page 6 of 23
copyright 2010 by SpeedDirect all rights reserved.
4) Once the first three steps are finished evaluate the u-joint rotation. If you still
have binding loosen the steering column. There are two locations to loosen it –
one at the fire wall and the other under the dash near the steering wheel. Once
the column is loose, pull the column back toward the driver. This will relieve the
angle on the u-joint. Only a little movement of the steering column can make a
big difference in the u-joints. Now, while the column is loose, slide the forward
end of the column toward the engine. The steering column has some horizontal
adjustment built into it, and again, a little bit goes a long way. NOTE – If you have
a Corvette or Chevelle, you will need to loosen the support bearing to make
these adjustments and let it ‘float’ until you are finished tightening the column
back up.
5) Corvette & Chevelle Owners: If you are experiencing u-joint binding the
problem is most commonly found in the upper double u-joint where it attaches to
the column. Usually the binding occurs when the upper u-joint gets into an ‘S’
shape when viewed from the top. You want to adjust the column so that the ujoint
makes a nice, smooth arch from the column down toward the rack.
NOTES:
• If you purchased your Steeroids rack and pinion kit over 6 months ago, you
may want to download a current set of installation instructions for more tech tips.
You can download them from our website at the link below:
http://speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeid=79
• If the steps above do not solve the binding issue, you may need to use a
different length intermediate shaft between the u-joints. This is extremely rare
(usually only encountered when the customer has an aftermarket steering
column or other aftermarket components changing the geometry). If you need a
different length intermediate shaft, they are available at the link below in two inch
increments. You can then trim the intermediate shaft to be the correct length for
your application.
http://cmc.speeddirect.com/items.asp?Cc=UJOINTS&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc
• If your u-joints have already worn out due to improper alignment, you might
Steeroids Trouble Shooting Guide
Page 7 of 23
copyright 2010 by SpeedDirect all rights reserved.
not be able to get the binding out of them because they are twisting and binding
up. To determine if your u-joints are worn and need replacement, remove each ujoint
and try to twist them (wringing them like you would a towel). If you feel any
play or motion in the u-joint, it needs to be replaced.
PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL
After you have installed the Steeroids rack and pinion kit, there should not be any
‘Play’ in the steering wheel. This is also referred to as a ‘Dead Zone’ and it takes
place when you turn your steering wheel back and forth a slight amount and
there is no resistance – the wheels and tires are not responding. This can cause
the car to be unresponsive and is a dangerous condition. Usually people
automatically think there is something wrong with the rack unit itself, but the rack
is actually VERY seldom the problem. If you are encountering ‘Play’ in the
steering wheel with our kit, follow the steps below.
It might be easiest to have another person help you at first. While the engine is
off, have one person turn the wheel back and forth a little bit - but only turn it
within the 'Dead Zone', not all the way back and forth through the whole travel of
the rack. Have another person carefully look through the entire system while this
is happening. Usually you will see a place where motion is happening on one end
of a component but not on the other. This is a good place to start. Even if you
find a problem, it is a good idea to check all of the suggestions below:
1) Check the condition of the forward most steering column bearing. If this
bearing is worn out it can cause excessive play in the steering wheel.
2) Download a current set of installation instructions by going to the following link
and choosing your vehicle application:
http://speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeid=79 and then proceed to step 3 below.
3) Re-tighten all of the set screws on the u-joint assembly as outlined in the
installation instructions (the order they are tightened in is important!). If they were
not tightened in the correct order or if a bur of metal got under a set screw the ujoint
can then get loose on the splined shaft (both at the column and at the pinion
shaft on the rack and pinion unit). For the rack unit be sure to tighten the set
screw that sits on the flat spot of the pinion first, then tighten the set screw on the
round portion (see photo)
Steeroids Trouble Shooting Guide
Page 8 of 23
copyright 2010 by SpeedDirect all rights reserved.
4) Double check that the bolts traveling through the center tie rod bracket into the
rack are torqued to the correct amount as outlined in the installation instructions.
5) Double check that both your inner and outer tie rod ends do not have any play
in them.
6) (Corvette and Chevelle Kits Only) Look at the support bearing where the
intermediate shaft between the u-joints passes through the bearing. If there is
excessive play in the support bearing, this will translate into play in the steering
wheel. (We have different sizes of bearing available and may be able to provide
you one with slightly tighter tolerances.) A small amount of play is acceptable, but
it should be minimal.
If you have checked all of these items and everything is still tight, then you need
to see where exactly the play is coming from. Here are some areas to look for
warn parts:
1) The u-joints can get pre-maturely warn out if they are binding when installed.
Remove the entire u-joint assembly and try "twisting" each u-joint to see if there
is actually play in the u-joint itself. If there is then the u-joint needs to be replaced
– and you need to make sure the new one is installed with out ANY binding.
Refer to the installation instructions to learn about installing the u-joints without
Steeroids Trouble Shooting Guide
Page 9 of 23
copyright 2010 by SpeedDirect all rights reserved.
any binding.
2) While the u-joint assembly is removed, place a wrench on the pinion shaft of
the rack and turn the rack slightly back and forth to see if there is play in the rack
itself (this is actually VERY rare for there to be play in the rack. Usually the play
is found from other loose or worn parts.) When turning the pinion shaft, look for
the movement where the two center bolts pass through the center tie rod bracket
into the rack.
After going through these steps if it is determined that there are some
replacement parts required, we can get you whatever you need. We have been
using Borgeson U-joints for several years now and the only time we have seen
them wear out is if they were installed incorrectly and were binding. All of the
rack units have been bench tested before they were shipped out, so if there
appears to be an issue with the rack we can discuss warranty replacements with
you.
NOTES:
You may see the rack move inside the rubber mounting bushings where the rack
mounts to the frame brackets. The rubber bushings that mount the rack are the
hardest ones we can find (they are stiffer than the OEM bushings). We are
researching having some poly mounts made but do not have them available yet.
This amount of movement should be minimal.
You will notice that the center tie rod bracket moves on the rack unit. As outlined
in the installation instructions, this is normal.
On Corvette and Chevelle Steeroids kits it is acceptable to have a slight amount
of play where the intermediate shaft passes through the support bearing. It
should not be flopping around in there though.
MOVEMENT IN THE TIE ROD BRACKET
Some movement of the Tie Rod Bracket is normal. This is because as the
steering rack moves through its travel a small amount of motion, mostly rotation
is present. This should not be more than a couple of degrees and does not affect
the feel or response. This perceived movement is a combination of the mount
inside the rack and the rubber bushings which cradle the rack. If these were
completely rigid and without movement all the vibration created by uneven road
or track surfaces would be transmitted up the steering path to the steering wheel
resulting in a very noticeable and annoying vibration of the wheel as you drive.
Lifetime Member|UPDATED|7/4/2012 5:33:53 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...
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Lifetime Member"NOTE - The more caster you put into a vehicle's suspension, the more the car will want to return to center after a turn. It also increases the resistance in the steering wheel. "
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Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom
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Lifetime Member I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas...