The Steeroids rack is a remanufactured...
The Steeroids rack is a remanufactured GM unit that was mass-produced, so all of the parts needed for routine maintenance or future overhauls are readily available. We chose the power rack for our application, which gives 2.5 turns, lock to lock.
After several weeks of driving our car with the Steeroids power rack, we've come away even more impressed. Though our car's total turning radius has increased slightly with the new rack, the trade-off is well worth it.
Overall we'd say this is one of the most dramatic and noticeable improvements we've made to our '71 Stingray thus far. Eliminating the sloppy, heavy factory steering box, questionable steering valve, and stock tie rods makes the car safer and more reliable. Even better, our Corvette is much more fun to drive now, and though the car's handling is still limited by the factory suspension components, the steering certainly feels like a Corvette of much newer vintage. Follow along and we'll show you how easy Speed Direct's Steeroids rack-and-pinion kit installs.
The components in the all-inclusive...
The components in the all-inclusive Steeroids kit are clearly marked, both with a name and a part number to avoid any confusion. This is a well-engineered kit, and all appropriate parts are powdercoated in black.
The first step in this conversion...
The first step in this conversion is to completely remove the factory steering components, which is best accomplished with the car on a lift or jackstands. The most efficient method is to remove the entire factory steering system as one unit.
After removing the front wheels,...
After removing the front wheels, we disconnected the outer tie-rod end from the spindle using a tie-rod separator, commonly called a pickle fork.
We've never really liked the...
We've never really liked the design of early Corvette power steering, especially the steering valve, which is prone to leak and can render your car's steering inoperative if it fails catastrophically. Fortunately we'll be replacing this and the bulky steering box with our new rack-and-pinion.
Since our car is equipped...
Since our car is equipped with long-tube headers, we found it easier to remove the pitman arm from the factory steering box, allowing the OE steering components to be removed from underneath the car. Alternatively, the pitman arm could be separated from the steering link, but that method also requires loosening the driver-side header to remove the steering box in our application.
Side by side, the Steeroids...
Side by side, the Steeroids rack-and-pinion is obviously a more refined, simpler steering system. We'll be glad to remove the inelegant, antiquated factory steering from our Stingray.
Before installing the new...
Before installing the new rack-and-pinion, the tie-rod bracket can be installed onto the rack.
These bolts use a supplied...
These bolts use a supplied locking plate to keep them from backing out.
The Steeroids brackets that...
The Steeroids brackets that will hold the new rack in place simply bolt right where the factory components were removed...