hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Does anyone have a pic of this installed on the car?

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Here are a few. And a tip. Make the small diameter upper shaft as long as possible otherwise you may end up with clearance issues with headers. My second picture shows this mistake. I have since replaced the shaft and built it correctly.

rlewi771

87350Iroc- did he purchase that shaft off of you? I'd be interested in it if you still have it. Thanks

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Nope I didn't buy his. I ended up getting a new one with new joints as well (all unpolished). Nothing is even close to my Edelbrock headers,there's plenty of clearance.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yup I still have it. Let me grab some pictures when I get home from work.

Thrillo

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I have a concern about this setup. While I was making measurements before I cut into my Flaming River shaft (same part # from this thread), I noticed that a large amount of the small shaft goes into the larger shaft. That's ok if I kept it at near the original length, but when cutting it down to the 3rd gen length it looks possibly unsafe as there's not much crush space in case of an accident. My stock shaft has roughly 4 inches between fully extended and fully closed, but this one has 1-3 inches, depending on how I cut it and install the joints. I know the stock shaft doesn't actually use all 4 inches, but still, I'd have peace of mind with more crush space.
Should I order a shorter shaft? And if I'm reading Flaming River's site correctly, it looks like they can now make a bolt-on steering shaft via their "EZ Fit" option that'll perform even better than the combination of parts listed in the old original post in this thread.
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.ph...0001/FR1857-14

And btw I've never modified a steering shaft before, so I'd be happy to be proven wrong on my concerns .

IROCZ1989

iTrader: (1)

Bringing this back from the dead. I need a shaft because my lines need more room around my headers its almost hitting the upper shaft moint seems like the universals are a bit narrower. Does anyone make a ss unit? Thanks all.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

You cut both sides of the shaft. In the installed configuration, mine has more collapse than my stock shaft.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

Couldn't help noticing no one has responded to the question of how it feels?
Did GM use a rag joint for a reason? Any binding issues?

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

I won't comment on how it feels because I did a bunch of other stuff at the same time.

Yes, GM does everything for a reason. These cars basically have zero misalignment between where the factory rag joint is. That that reason a simple rubber disc (rag joint) is sufficient to absorb any misalignment. Rubber disc is very cheap, but has some give. By replacing the rag joint with a u-joint there is effectivly zero deflection. This would only be noticed if the rag joint was in poor shape or under high steering effort conditions.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I swapped in an Astro Van steering shaft (and bushing) which eliminates the rag joint. What I noticed as much as anything was the hydraulic noise which wasn't present with the OE.

JamesC

GTAman

iTrader: (2)

James, what year astro van?

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I don't recall offhand, but the following may prove useful:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ing-shaft.html

JamesC

SlickTrackGod

I was Vetruck in the post on the first page. I bought everything just as the OP listed and I had absolutely no problems installing it. I have the same setup also on another vehicle I drive daily (a GM truck) and also on that it works great.

For comparison, my factory rag joint was worn- typical slop, but was not terrible. I just wanted to firm up the wheel very percise- Ive replaced many over the years so I know how rag joints feel new also.

1) i bought the soild aluminum disc "rag joint eliminater" from Unbalanced Engineering and it was crap. It locked up the steering shaft and the wheel had a dead spot in the rotation that bind.

Everything else on this car was built, and I mean built. With that said, there was no weak links in the steering or suspension other than getting rid of this last part. I end up going to the new FlamingRiver shaft and it was beatiful in feel. Much more percise that factory, and no vibrations on anynoise feeling coming up through the shaft at all from being solid pivot joints. I have one on my Race Vette (Borgeson Joint) and I havd one on my 87 Camaro, as well as the same thing on my truck(which is extremely built also I might add with a 12:1 box from Lee performace

1st pic is the crappy aluminum disc replacement- don't buy this
2nd pic is the olny shotI have of the one in my old Camaro. Great but they get surface oxidation so clearcoat them with some lacquer paint prior to installing it

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

My flaming river shaft feels good and precise as well, that was before the Lee 670 box got loose on me lol. Speaking of Lee boxes, has your box been good to you? Has it loosened over time? 87IROC350's box is loose as well. I spoke with Lee and he said he would re-adjust it for free if the play is inside the box. He suggested I try adjusting the top screw which I did and it only helped slightly but it got worse again. Odd.

SlickTrackGod

How long ago did you get it from him? (Lee)

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Was mid-summer 2010 but it went bad early summer 2011, and I only drive the car in the summer and non-rainy days so there was about 500 miles since it was installed that it started progressively getting loose.

SlickTrackGod

That's what I was not hoping. His health and mind have been slipping bad the last several years. He is battling dimentia/ Altz Heimers mildly his wife told me back in about 2009. Alot of people have stopped using him because he is screwing things up and his wife is having a hard time patching up all his mistakes. He set me a few of the wrong parts I did not order.

Luckly mine has been fine. I use it very hard and has a good 20K on it. Remember I carry alot of weight in this vehicle also so it takes a real beating. Its the same box as the 3rd gens use. I know there business has been hurting as a result of his health issues and the local economy. All the local tracks have shut down in recent years also so there is not much racing in So Cal so he has little walk in business compared to what volume they used to do with race car crashes, etc.

Sorry to hear you guys are having issues.

I had put an AGR box in my Camaro back in about 2005 range and it was crap, I had the same issues with that. Alot of these companies are not using new parts in them when they rebuild the boxes. THey get lose, and when you try to tighten them a little they get a dead spot thats tight in rotation.

SlickTrackGod

I know JerryWho put in a Delphi box but is suppose to be very quick ratio like 10:1. I never drove Jerry's car, but I've watched him as well as mike(greygoose) drive his car and they both have a hard time shifting and one handing the steering wheel with that quickness of a ratio. I would not want it from what I witnessed, but thats just "MY" opinion. I like a little forgiveness at speed and a little better control on technical driving. I really think a 12.7:1 is the lowest I would go on a 3rd gen- I had that then went to the 12:1 and didn;t like it. My truck is 12:1 but thats a whole diferent animal with alot wider track and wheel height.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

Yeah atleast the guy was good about it though and he explained to me what I could try to do to fix it, but i'll try sending them the box over the winter to have it readjusted and then try it spring 2013.

And yes, he called me back a day later after I called him and said something about chevelle parts I had ordered.. I figured that was an error but now that you say this that kinda worries me. Poor guy.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I got mine in the beginning of 2011. And it was sloppy right from the start. On center it was no better than my 70k mile stock box. Off center it was a bit better.

I played around with the top adjustment and it didn't really help.

I sent it back at the beginning of this year. They opened it up, everything looked ok he said. So they re-adjusted it and sent it back. I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I'm not expecting much.