Rack and Pinion

[Scott91370]

Last weekend I installed the Performance Online (POL) Power Rack & Pinion kit PS-SA-7387XX.
I ordered it from Classic Industries (it was on sale) on a Sunday night and had it at my house by Friday - perfect timing!

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/pssa7387.html

Current steering box was loose, 2-3 inches of play and since it is my daughters first vehicle (she wouldn't drive it) I figured why not splurge. Since a NEW box is up there in price, for a few hundred more I'll just do it right.

Did it go smooth? As smooth as any bolt in mod could be, maybe slightly better.
Cons
1) Had to drill one one of the mounting holes on the driver's side frame little larger to allow the rack to tilt just a bit because the u-joint was hitting the power steering pump.
2) Had to install a steering shaft support bearing because no matter how I tried the steering shaft would hit the frame. I made the bracket out of a piece of flat bar.

Pros:
1) I was able to re-use my power steering lines but I already had aftermarket. Factory style may not work.
2) Install was pretty easy. I did it on my garage floor with jack & jack stands and only need a hand when fitting it in place because of the width and needed extra hands to put the bolts in.
3) Uses existing mounting holes from the steering box and idler arm so no measureing is required.
4) Steering is like a modern vehicle now. No play in it at all.

 

[GO-N-BRK_84]

Well done! I'm excited to here that your happy with the outcome. I'm going to be converting my steering to Rack and Pinon as part of my PB Fab dropmember kit. The kit does include a stand-off bearing support due to the new steering shaft run.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Very nice! Good to know that that's a good option for us.

 

[bluex]

Looks good, I've been eyeing this for mine.

Not surprised on the support bearing. Anytime there's 3 joints you have to use one. Is that not mentioned in the instructions or were they thinking you could do it with 2?

 

[Big Ray]

Intriguing...that would be a blast on a slammed hi powered hotrod truck.
I had plans for my 87 in the 90s. I was going to call it the Country Corvette lol.
Still have the TPI unit I bought for it in 94.
Ahh, the joy of bad life choices lol!

 

[idahovette]

Yeah @Big Ray ya win? some, ya lose some......story of my life.............I'm about 1 for 99......lol

 

[Scott91370]

Looks good, I've been eyeing this for mine.

Not surprised on the support bearing. Anytime there's 3 joints you have to use one. Is that not mentioned in the instructions or were they thinking you could do it with 2?

From the way the instructions read it is supposed to be done with 2 u joints and no support. It might be possible if there was some adjustment of the rack on the support frame but since it is hard mounted I decided not to fight it and just at the support.