| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,078 Posts1,056,053 Members48,433 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 125 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 125 | I had Nostalgia in for a safety check this AM and was told the installation of rack and pinion steering by a PO was not great. One of the U joints is in conflict with the exhaust. Im of a mind to have it removed and relocated further forward. I think the rack is a Ford and the power steering pump 75 Chev. Has anyone any suggestions? Perhaps there is a thread way back. Is there someone who makes a product specific to a 53 3100 ? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | Is the rack mounted to the axle or is it a Unisteer unit with the cross steering? Maybe you have an IFS unit. More details would help.
Evan
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 125 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 125 | Hi Evan
I have what I think is an IFS unit mounted about 8 inches back from the axle on a framework that is welded to the truck frame. It is level with the bottom of the axle and is directly connected to the steering arms. The steering is easy enough but hit a bump and the wheels have a mind of there own. Needless to say I dont drive that fast. My mechanic says my king pins need replacing and the tie rod ends are a bit sloppy. One of the u joints on the steering column tends to bump the exhaust pipe on occasion.
Stan | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | I might look at the Unisteer products and see if there's something that will meet your needs better than the current rack. Unisteer | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 | OK, I'm still a bit confused- - - -you're running the original straight axle with a rack & pinion mounted to the frame or body? That's a recipie for disaster, and it should be illegal to drive a vehicle set up that way. The only possibility that's even remotely capable of succeeding is one where the rack assembly is bracketed directly to the axle, and there's some sort of sliding coupling such as a double D shaft connecting the steering column to the pinion gear. Even with that setup, they're notorious for binding up and basically locking the steering at unpredictable moments.
If you're planning to keep the rack and pinion steering, the only safe, relatively simple setup will be to swap to some sort of independent front suspension. R&P on a straight axle is a deadly accident looking for a place to happen and its criminally insane to put one like that on the street!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | |
|
|
| |
