Has anybody out there used the Steeroids rack & pinion set up yet? I am strongly considering purchasing this kit but would like some feedback from someone who has tried these. It costs about $900 but I think it would be worth it.

First off, I'd like to state I have only seen photos of this kit in magazines. I might have a different opinion of it if I saw one "in the flesh".
I'm concerned about the strength of a setup that has a steering rack behind the axle instead of in front of it. Most rack and pinion steering units are made for installation in front of the axle (front steer). When you hit the brakes on a front steer car, the wheels try to toe out. The toe out torque created is dependent on the weight on the tire, the tire coefficient of friction, the tire center offset from the suspensions pivot center (scrub raidus I think it's called), and the length of the steering arm. I'm not talking about bump steer here, just braking loads.
This puts the (front steer) steering rack and links in tension, pulling on the links. They don't have to be very strong or stiff because they are being pulled on.
If you put a rack behind the axle, it has to be about twice as stiff to survive.

I have a book that mentions a mid 60's Corvette race car that broke it's center link, (rear steer like a Camaro) While braking hard at the end of the straight at Sebring. Chevrolet came out with a stiffer center link after that.
I would guess the hot new street tires available today are almost as good as the race tires of the 60's. If so, it may be possible to put enough load on a STOCK Camaro steering system to make it pretty shakey.
What would happen to a rack and pinion that was origonaly designed for a front steer application, now on a rear steer car?
If you are just going to cruse around it might work for you. If you are sold on getting a rack and pinion, look for a front steer subframe like the Art Rassmussen setup.
Just my opinion.
David Pozzi

PS, I have been told the Steeroids rack is off a "W" body GM car and is a rear steer type. If this is true, it's probalby not too bad a deal, but the Camaro loads would probably be close to twice what the rack would experience in a W car. 4/5/01

David Pozzi's web page: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/vintage_transam.htm



[This message has been edited by davidpozzi (edited 04-05-2001).]

A guy I work with has a 69,he put one in and loves it,its a show car,has taken to the track 14.5@93...396 BB...ha ha, but a stocker and could be him.so i guess if you drive it and are not too hard its just fine.

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[www.hometown.aol.com/dagwould1/auto]

Doug G.
68 Camaro
406 ci.

David,
What if you installed the rack to have zero bump steer at rest. When you step on the brakes, the nose dives, a-arms swing up and puts an inward pressure on the rack. Yes, no, maybe.

If the rack is strong enough I don't have a problem with a rear steer rack. I just don't know how strong it should be.
Obviously Steeroids has sold some of these racks and they are working so far...
The "load" I am concerned about is created by the wheels pushing on the linkage while braking, not any bump steer related force.

If you have a lot of wheel offset from the center of turning on the pavement, it will create a force trying to make the wheels toe out under braking applying pressure on the linkage.
There are also forces from hitting bumps or potholes on the road.
In all fairness, Steeroids says the rack is as strong as the stock Camaro linkage because it is supported near each end by the rack bushings.
The steering column linkage makes some fairly sharp turns to get to the rack which is not ideal.
On the bump steer, if you get it correct for normal ride height, it should not be far off at full bump under braking, unless the length of the steering link is too long or short.
I'm sure they work, just not sure they are an improvement in every way.
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

I agree with David's consern about strength and unless Steeroids wanted to state what the rack is out of, it's a question that just can't be answered. How would you feel if you found out the rack is designed for a Dodge Omni?!?!

There are VERY few aftermarket manufactures out there that make their own racks based on required width! (Chris Alston Chassisworks is one of the few)

There is also the question of bump steer if the location of pivot joints of the rack are not correct. I'm talking about the pivot point within the rubber boot area of the assembly. Although it's possible to make up "rack extenders", this would add additional loading on the rack that it wasn't designed for. This is one of the reasons that Chassisworks makes their own racks, they can build the housing any width they need. (no, I don't work for Chassisworks and don't agree with everything they say!)

If the Steeriods unit is 900 bucks, I have to ask "why bother"? I had both the steering box and pump (on my 64 Chevelle) rebuild and blueprinted by Lee Manufacturing (ratio changed among other things) and it was $500.

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Wes. Vann
Technical Reference Section

Help!! I have a '65 Chevy ProStreet Truck that I did a front clip from a '69 Z-28 onto. First off, is there a brand of header available that will fit into the '69 chassis that will clear the steering box and still allow access to the spark plugs? Second, I am considering a Steeroids set-up and after reading the postings on it, I wonder if anyone has actually had any real probelms with one. I know my vehicle won't corner like a Camaro, but I really need the clearance in the engine compartment. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Please don't slam me because I don't have a Camaro anymore.It got smashed into and I salvaged everything I could to use on my truck.

Thanks in advance, John

Steeroids has a web page, plus there are some guys on http://www.pro-touring.com that have done the swap.
For header fit info, try the Performance forum section here on Team Camaro.
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Chev 350 Can-Am Vintage Racer

[This message has been edited by davidpozzi (edited 01-13-2002).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by davidpozzi:
Steeroids has a web page, plus there are some guys on http://www.pro-touring.com that have done the swap.
For header fit info, try the Performance forum section here on Team Camaro.
David

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks David,
I have visited the Steeroids webpage. I was interested to see if anyone has actually experienced any of the problems described in this forum. I will look into header fitment in the suggested forum.

Thanks again, John

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by qwiktruk:
Help!! I have a '65 Chevy ProStreet Truck that I did a front clip from a '69 Z-28 onto. First off, is there a brand of header available that will fit into the '69 chassis that will clear the steering box and still allow access to the spark plugs? Second, I am considering a Steeroids set-up and after reading the postings on it, I wonder if anyone has actually had any real probelms with one. I know my vehicle won't corner like a Camaro, but I really need the clearance in the engine compartment. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Please don't slam me because I don't have a Camaro anymore.It got smashed into and I salvaged everything I could to use on my truck.

Thanks in advance, John <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I asked Art Rasmussen (the suspension expert) about the steeroids, before he passed away, and was told that a rebuilt frontend and a newer style steering box would be better money spent.

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69 Camaro Z28 "clone" - 327 AT
"461" camel back heads,
edelbrock, hooker, ultradyne,
TRW etc.
700R4 TPI transmission