Suspension / ChassisQuestions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?
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Not sure if this has been posted before since the search function it fubar'd. But perhaps this will be of help to some.
With my SLP 1 3/4" headers I had alot of problems with the steering shaft too close to the headers. I actually burned up the boot on the column end last year, and in order to get the shaft out, I'd have to remove the column.
Not too mention the rag joint kinda sucks.
Flaming River doesn't make a direct replacement shaft for thirdgens, but here's the parts you need.
Flaming River U-Joint 1746DD - This is a 1"DD on one end and a 3/4" 30 spline on the 2nd end. This is used on the steering box. If your steering box spline has a little nub on the end of it, you'll need to cut that off first. Otherwise the U-Joint won't be able to go on all the way. Mine also was a very tight fit and needed a little persuasion to go on.
Flaming River U-Joint 1717DD - This is a 1"DD on one end and a 3/4" DD on the 2nd end. This is the end for the steering column side. Since the stock shaft slides into the column, and this new joint slides over the column, you may need to lightly grind the steering column end a bit in order for it to fit.
Flaming River Collapsible shaft 1856-S - This shaft can also be gotten plated by adding PL in place of the S, it'll add about $100 to the price however. It's a 31.5" extended, and 28.5" collapsed. Which is way more then you need. You really only need about 13.5" of total length. So how much you keep of either end is really up to you. I also removed the rubber boot, as it was too close to a header for my liking. The thin end is 3/4"DD and solid this will got into the column side U-joint. The thicker end is a hollow 1"DD and then slides into the steering box U-joint.
Thru Summit the 3 pieces cost me roughly $240.
Really a pretty easy straightforward job. Helps to have a grinder and a dremel with a cut off wheel.
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I used the steering u-joints from an Astro van to fabricate a new lower steering shaft. The lower rag joint and upper coupler were just too big for my application and I needed to relocate the steering shaft on the firewall anyway because the headers were in the way.
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87 IROC-Z
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When i had the SLP 1-3/4 headers on mine, i ran into that problem. I ended up loosening the three bolts the hold the steering column to the firewall and pushed it over, retightened the bolts. It clearanced it just enough to get by with it. Thanks for the part #'s though. i have been wanting to do this with my car to make it look a little cleaner........jt
How's the road vibration now w/ the solid joints? I'm looking at doing a similar upgrade, although, I'm looking into their Rubber Isolation U-Joint to go on the gear box side. How much clearance do you have now to the SLP's? Any pics at the tightest spot?
I was also lookin' into the EZ Fit shaft that they have...it'd make it easy to adjust the steering wheel if u were off a bit...don't know about the clearance w/ it however...
Last edited by SweetRide45; 03-13-2006 at 01:57 AM.
Sweet, clean set-up! I was looking at Borgeson joints and was wondering what the OEM "DD" shaft size was. From your post and description it sounds like I have a 3/4" shaft!
__________________ Rest in peace my wonderful wife, Gina - 1969-2008
I miss you every day....
My updated CarDomain site! http://www.cardomain.com/id/murco1989
One-owner 1989 RS, ZZ4, Comp Cams valvetrain, Edelbrock headers and cat back, Astro performance T-5, Moser rear, Alpine/Infinity/Kicker strereo, and Recaro "Sport" seats. More coming soon!
I actually installed the Borgeson pieces last year with a vibration dampener at the steering box end. It works wonderfully and was less than the Flaming River components, I think it was $170 all together. Looks just like the above picture, but with OEM stuff all around it.
__________________ Rest in peace my wonderful wife, Gina - 1969-2008
I miss you every day....
My updated CarDomain site! http://www.cardomain.com/id/murco1989
One-owner 1989 RS, ZZ4, Comp Cams valvetrain, Edelbrock headers and cat back, Astro performance T-5, Moser rear, Alpine/Infinity/Kicker strereo, and Recaro "Sport" seats. More coming soon!
