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The Classic Chevy Rack and Pinion conversion was first introduced way back in December, 1993. This has become one of the most and most copied upgrades for your classic '55-'57. Our system uses a heavy-duty tubular crossmember which is far stronger than the stock steering system and all other rack systems on the market. You'll be amazed at how much better your classic drives, rides, and handles with our rack kit! The rack and unit is connected to the steering column with a simple two U-joint and shaft system making the installation very clean.
Previous rack and kits have required removal (cutting) of the steering shaft from your original steering box when using a non-tilt column. This "junked" a valuable original box. We have now developed an upper shaft to be used with the stock steering column that includes the correct splines and threads at the top for the steering wheel, is the correct length and has splines at the bottom to connect to the U-joint. This will make the installation of the rack far easier as there is no drilling or welding required.
Time Frame: 3 Hours
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The original coupler shaft for the rack consisted of an upper and lower U-joint that coupled the original steering shaft, cut from the stock steering box, with the rack and pinion. This works well, but by cutting the stock shaft from the steering box, the old box became junk. Good rebuildable steering boxes are getting harder and harder to find and are quite valuable to someone restoring an original car."
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Kit PIN 57-170973-1 includes a new steering shaft for the steering column, an upper and lower U-joint, and a shaft that connects the two U-joints together. This new system is all held together with set screws and lock nuts, so no need for welding!
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The new column steering shaft accepts a stock steering wheel or any aftermarket wheel.
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When the steering wheel is installed on the new steering shaft, the shaft will protrude out the bottom of the mast jacket about 1".
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The top half of the upper U-joint has a 3/4"-36 female spline that connects to the new steering shaft with a set screw and lock nut. The bottom half of the upper U-joint has a 3/4" female double-D, which connects to the new 1" double-D shaft that connects to the lower U-joint at the rack and pinion.
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The top half of the lower U-joint has a 3/4" female double-D, and the bottom half has a 17-millimeter female double-D that connects directly to the rack and pinion unit. The U-joint is held to the shaft and rack and pinion with set screws and lock nuts.
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Install the new double-D shaft into the lower U-joint, making sure the shaft is not installed too deep. If the shaft goes into the center of the U-joint, it will make contact with the cross in the U-joint and cause it to bind.
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Tighten the one set screw on the lower U-joint that lines up with the flat on the 3/4" double-D shaft. This will leave a mark on the shaft.
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Using a 5/16" drill bit, drill a small dimple in the flat of the shaft. This will give the set screw a secure seat.
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There is a notch in the input shaft of the rack and pinion. One of the set screws from the lower U-joint needs to seat into this notch. This will locate the lower U-joint and prevent the input shaft of the rack and pinion from causing a bind in the joint.
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With the lower U-joint and shaft installed on the rack and pinion, the 3/4" double-D shaft next to the upper U-joint, and mark the shaft where it will need to be cut. The shaft is made extra long to accommodate different types of steering columns.
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The shaft is made of mild steel, so a hack saw, band saw, or chop saw will cut it with no problem.
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Once the lower shaft has been cut to length, remove the upper U-joint from the main steering shaft and attach the joint to the top of the lower shaft. Next, slide the main shaft up into the steering column mast jacket. Position the upper U-joint at the bottom of the mast jacket and slide the main shaft into the upper U-joint. Now with the upper U-joint in place, tighten the set screw on the lower shaft, making a mark on the shaft. Remove the lower shaft and drill a dimple with a 5/16" drill bit for the set screw.
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Install the lower shaft, main shaft, and upper U-joint and tighten all set screws and lock nuts.