Well, after going from manual pitman steering, to a fast ratio PS box w/ all new parts, I never was impressed in how my '69 steered. Always loose and sloppy, even after a full front end rebuild. I've toy'd with the idea of R&P for a half dozen years, and was teased by Steeroids (until they dropped the Chevelle from 'develpment'). Having some time before my body-guy was ready for the body to come off the frame, I spent some time fabbing my own bracket that bolts up to the front lower control arm bolts (longer). Started with cardboard, to sheet metal, to 1/8 aluminum, and had a shop cut/bend the final out of 1/4 steel plate. Drilling the mounting holes was a PITA, but it's done. I have the input shaft coming up almost vertical next to the exhaust manifold. No frame notching necessary. Nobody could tell me why I couldn't rotate the rack to clear the frame, so I made the bracket for that purpose. With parts on the way, I'll be using Flaming River's EZ fit shaft w/ a support bearing, and one more u-joint on the input shaft via a short 4" shaft.
With the software I bought last year (Autoware Front End Geometry Pro), I plugged in the numbers measured off my frame, and found that bump steer is nearly zero with my installation (no, I didn't ace it the first time eyeballing it...the software told me I needed to raise the rack 1/2", but that was all). Since the car won't be driveable for months to come, I thought anybody wanting the benefit of my experience could read it here.
Post here if you want pics of the installation, and pics of the aluminum mock-up bracket to feed the idea genie...I'll email to you.
My software says it'll handle quite nicely. It was interesting how much difference a 1/4" placement change made in the suspension geometry results...this software is a steal at $140.00 for all the trial and error I 'didn't' have to waste time on.
JR
ps...For Sale: '86 Blazer fast-ratio PS box w/ Chevelle pitman arm. Doesn't leak, polished alum cover...best offer.
With the software I bought last year (Autoware Front End Geometry Pro), I plugged in the numbers measured off my frame, and found that bump steer is nearly zero with my installation (no, I didn't ace it the first time eyeballing it...the software told me I needed to raise the rack 1/2", but that was all). Since the car won't be driveable for months to come, I thought anybody wanting the benefit of my experience could read it here.
Post here if you want pics of the installation, and pics of the aluminum mock-up bracket to feed the idea genie...I'll email to you.
My software says it'll handle quite nicely. It was interesting how much difference a 1/4" placement change made in the suspension geometry results...this software is a steal at $140.00 for all the trial and error I 'didn't' have to waste time on.
JR
ps...For Sale: '86 Blazer fast-ratio PS box w/ Chevelle pitman arm. Doesn't leak, polished alum cover...best offer.
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