Newbe question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sgaylord · 09-02-2008, 08:46 AM

Hey guys,

I am new to this forum, just picked up a 56 3100. Having no knowledge of strait axle setups this truck has a setup that concerns me a little. It has a power rack and pinion and the steering column is connected directly to the rack that is attached to the strait axle. Wouldnt the up and down movement of the strait axle cause a proble for the steering column? Is this safe?

Thanks,
Steve

solidaxel · 09-02-2008, 12:27 PM

Is the Rack & Pinion attached to the frame or the axle?

drummin89 · 09-02-2008, 12:41 PM

To me it sounds like he is saying that the r&p is attached directly to the straight axle. If it is, id imagine there would be some type of telescoping shaft that goes from the steering column to the rack & pinion. Otherwise if you would hit any bump at all, the force would push the steering column/wheel right up into the drivers face.

Either way, Ive heard that a rack & pinion on a solid axle truck is a bad setup as there will be alot of bump steer.

Got Pics???

sgaylord · 09-02-2008, 03:24 PM

Here are some pics. It does not look like there is any type of telescoping shaft from the column to the rack.

There is a considerable amount of bump steer. What would you recommend I do? Revert back to the old setup? I really want to keep the power steering if possible. I dont have the money right now to add a mustang II setup either. ALL suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

dwcsr · 09-02-2008, 11:17 PM

I would go with a P/S kit from ccp or one of the others that uses a GM box in the 73-87 location. Bump steer is a fact of life with a straight axle and its made worse with the rack tie rods being at that angle. For $200-$300 you could have a modern GM setup and get rid of the rack.

55dude · 09-03-2008, 03:05 PM

the toyota 4x4 box make a clean swap! the one ccp offers using 73-87' chevy truck will rub if your tires have any width to them.

dwcsr · 09-03-2008, 03:23 PM

What year toyota?

55dude · 09-04-2008, 05:58 AM

pre 85' toyota 4x4,the ones with solid front axle. i'm told some 86's will work also. same box no limit uses in their kits.

1-ton of fun · 09-04-2008, 12:14 PM

i don't see how there can be any bump steer caused by the tie-rods, with the rack mounted to the axle. the entire rack moves with the suspension, to there shouldn't be toe changes with suspension articulation from the tie rods, due to the fact the angle of the tie rods never changes with respect to the axle.

your problem is likely with the linkage to the rack. it looks like the linkage comes to the rack at an angle, so when the suspension compresses, the wheels will want to turn left, when it droops, it will turn the wheels right.

hotrodsbyray · 09-06-2008, 02:23 PM

it's interesting - that looks like R&P somebody home built.
what's interesting is that No Limit Engineering is actually selling a kit to put the R&P on our truck's straigt axles like that.
you may want to take a look at their setup and some of the truck magazine articles about that installation. it might give some ideas about getting it better tuned.

09-02-2008, 08:46 AM	#1
sgaylord Project collector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sanderson, Fl Posts: 700	Newbe question Hey guys, I am new to this forum, just picked up a 56 3100. Having no knowledge of strait axle setups this truck has a setup that concerns me a little. It has a power rack and pinion and the steering column is connected directly to the rack that is attached to the strait axle. Wouldnt the up and down movement of the strait axle cause a proble for the steering column? Is this safe? Thanks, Steve

09-02-2008, 12:27 PM	#2
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Newbe question Is the Rack & Pinion attached to the frame or the axle? __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

09-02-2008, 12:41 PM	#3
drummin89 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wapwallopen Pa Posts: 412	Re: Newbe question To me it sounds like he is saying that the r&p is attached directly to the straight axle. If it is, id imagine there would be some type of telescoping shaft that goes from the steering column to the rack & pinion. Otherwise if you would hit any bump at all, the force would push the steering column/wheel right up into the drivers face. Either way, Ive heard that a rack & pinion on a solid axle truck is a bad setup as there will be alot of bump steer. Got Pics??? __________________ Chris 52 Chevy 3600 (3/4 ton) 5 window pickup -54 235 Inline 6 w/ Fuel Injection Conversion -Clifford 2/4bbl Aluminum Intake and Headers -1/2 ton front axle swap w/ 5lug disc brake kit -CPP Power Steering Kit Various pictures of my 52 Chevy 3600 Last edited by drummin89; 09-02-2008 at 12:43 PM.

09-02-2008, 03:24 PM	#4
sgaylord Project collector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sanderson, Fl Posts: 700	Re: Newbe question Here are some pics. It does not look like there is any type of telescoping shaft from the column to the rack. There is a considerable amount of bump steer. What would you recommend I do? Revert back to the old setup? I really want to keep the power steering if possible. I dont have the money right now to add a mustang II setup either. ALL suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks, Steve Attached Images

09-02-2008, 11:17 PM	#5
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: Newbe question I would go with a P/S kit from ccp or one of the others that uses a GM box in the 73-87 location. Bump steer is a fact of life with a straight axle and its made worse with the rack tie rods being at that angle. For $200-$300 you could have a modern GM setup and get rid of the rack. Last edited by dwcsr; 09-02-2008 at 11:18 PM.

09-03-2008, 03:05 PM	#6
55dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tacoma wa. Posts: 1,037	Re: Newbe question the toyota 4x4 box make a clean swap! the one ccp offers using 73-87' chevy truck will rub if your tires have any width to them.

09-03-2008, 03:23 PM	#7
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: Newbe question What year toyota?

09-04-2008, 05:58 AM	#8
55dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: tacoma wa. Posts: 1,037	Re: Newbe question pre 85' toyota 4x4,the ones with solid front axle. i'm told some 86's will work also. same box no limit uses in their kits.

09-04-2008, 12:14 PM	#9
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: Newbe question i don't see how there can be any bump steer caused by the tie-rods, with the rack mounted to the axle. the entire rack moves with the suspension, to there shouldn't be toe changes with suspension articulation from the tie rods, due to the fact the angle of the tie rods never changes with respect to the axle. your problem is likely with the linkage to the rack. it looks like the linkage comes to the rack at an angle, so when the suspension compresses, the wheels will want to turn left, when it droops, it will turn the wheels right. __________________ 59 chevy apache 31 4x4 - my project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8668512 53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo 47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build 99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van' Last edited by 1-ton of fun; 09-04-2008 at 12:16 PM.

09-06-2008, 02:23 PM	#10
hotrodsbyray Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TN Posts: 164	Re: Newbe question it's interesting - that looks like R&P somebody home built. what's interesting is that No Limit Engineering is actually selling a kit to put the R&P on our truck's straigt axles like that. you may want to take a look at their setup and some of the truck magazine articles about that installation. it might give some ideas about getting it better tuned.



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