Hello! I'm new the world of third gen Camaros. I just inherited a disceased relative's 85 IROC that was his personal hobby / ongoing project. Of the many mods this car has (Spohn tubular K-member and A-arms, camber / caster adjusters, wide wheels and tires etc.) is manual rack and pinion steering.

I'm a big guy. Strong like bull. I can barely turn this thing, and it doesn't want to self center exiting the corner. Trying to turn the wheels when you are not moving takes as much effort as I have to give, and feels like I'm going to rip the steering column off. I understand a manual rack is going to take more steering effort than a factory power setup, but this can't be what is expected. Something is wrong, right?

I see that this car has three steering universal joints, where the Spohn site only shows two. There is possibly some binding there. Can anyone give me tips on where to start looking?

 

Congrats on scoring that 1985 IROC Camaro! Sounds like a sweet ride, but it's a bummer that the manual rack and pinion steering is giving you a hard time.

Now, manual racks do require more muscle than power steering setups, but what you're describing sounds like there could be something off. Let's dive into a few areas you can check out:

1. Universal Joints: Take a look at those three steering universal joints. Spohn's site might only show two, so that extra one could be causing some binding. Make sure they're not damaged, misaligned, or causing any friction. Giving them a good lubrication might help too.
   
2. Steering Column: Give your steering column a good once-over. Look out for any worn-out parts, play, or binding. Greasing things up might be necessary too.
   
3. Alignment: Wonky alignment can mess with your steering. Get a professional to check if everything's aligned properly. It could make a big difference in how your car handles.
   
4. Tires and Wheels: Check if your tires and wheels are balanced and aligned correctly. Uneven wear or wonky tire pressure can mess with your steering experience.
   
5. Power Steering Assist: Although your ride's got a manual rack, some aftermarket setups offer an optional power steering assist module. It's worth checking if your car has one installed. It could make your life a whole lot easier.
   
6. Steering Ratio: Some aftermarket manual racks have different steering ratios than the original setup. Make sure the steering ratio matches what you're comfortable with. If not, you might want to think about swapping it out for a different rack.
   
   It's a good idea to hit up a mechanic or a fellow Camaro enthusiast who knows their stuff.
   

 

Thank you for the advice.

My k member looks like the standard steering version from Spohn, that he then retrofitted a rack to on some home made looking brackets. The rack is definitely in a different orientation/location from the Spohn version that comes with rack mounts. it would explain why there is 3 u-joints there, to clear a part of the k member. I’ll look into that first.

Secondly, I’ll check out the rack to see what ratio it is, and pull one of the steering shaft segments to makes sure the rack and the column aren’t bound up.

I have a feeling the answer lies in those steps, but I will keep the rest of the advice in mind in case it’s not.

 

I've got a Spohn manual rack and there should only be the one u joint and definitely shouldn't be hard to turn. Mine turns fairly easy

 

These pictures are a lot of help. Thank you!

if you have more pics, could you look for one that shows the downward angle of the rack please? I think mine is in a significantly different angle, which probably explains the extra joint.

 

I just noticed you’re from BC. Me too! Just outside of Vancouver. What a coincidence that one of the first people I talk to about a third gen Camaro with a Spohn K member and retrofitted rack and pinion is from my home province.

 

I've got a BMR k member on my car. So just outside Vancouver?? Like Surrey then?? I sold a guy 9" rear end last winter from down there

 

Ah, misread on my part. I thought you had a Spohn k member, but it's a Spohn rack.
Close! Just a little more outside-er... Langley. Wasn't me that bought the 9" though.

 

Yea I bought the mounts direct from BMR as mine didn't have them. That k member has been on the car for over a decade probably longer. I spent the last 5 years building the car to what it is now. Once I get it on the rollers and fully tuned I should see an easy 900 whp

 

Yea I've got another picture of the steering shaft. I'll pull it up now. It should look something like this. 1 u joint after the main shaft

 

Damn. That's a lot of jam. I was looking through some of your posts, and thinking "that's a lot of cool spendy stuff on that car." Then I saw "Geotech Drilling" for occupation, and it all made sense.

I've always loved the third gen Camaro, especially the IROCs. It wasn't until I inherited this amazing basket case of an '85 that I really needed one in my life. I'm still in the "going through it" stage, investigating all the tweaks and mods that have been done. So far it's got a mystery OG style SBC with Trick Flow Specialties aluminum heads, Holley HP powering an old school Powerjection TBI, roller rockers, belt drive, crazy 180 degree headers, giant 4 core aluminum rad, 5 speed, the Spohn k member and LCAs, air ride, etc. On the list of stuff that our cars share is Willwood brakes and American Racing Torque Thrust wheels.

Got any cool parts you're looking to unload?

 

Yeah, mine is a lot different. I have another joint and a rod end support between your two joints. I think my rack is at the wrong angle, causing the need to add the additional joint.

 

If I were you I'd cut it off and put it on properly. Mine turns super easy the second I start moving and even sitting in one spot it's not that bad. You'll like it a bunch once you get it all figured out tho

 

No sorry man I don't have anything left over from the build. I was getting rid of things as I progressed

 

100% gonna cut this version off and re do it. I’ve got some time on a buddy’s four post coming up, so I’ll do the rack at the same time as I swap out these crazy *** 180 degree header abominations.

 

Nice man it'll come together quick. I'm kinda down right now my hand got crushed and cut wide open at work last week and it's my right hand too! I need to make a new oil feed line with PTFE hose. The rubber hose end nut must have cracked causing the fitting to separate under pressure and squirting oil everywhere.