55-57 Belair, Rack & Pinion Kit

#8000

Steps: read these instructions carefully!
make sure this kit fits your application prior to painting or plating. parts that have been plated, painted or modified may not be returned.

1. Jack up car, support at frame with jackstands and chock up rear wheels. Remove wheels & drums.
2. Cut steering shaft at the gear box.
3. Remove tie rod ends from steering arms.
4. Un-bolt the idler arm and gear box, and you may remove
complete steering system in one piece.
5. Remove steering arms from spindles. You will need to remove your drums or rotors to get to the bolts.
6. Install new shorter steering arms onto spindles and replace either the drums or rotors.
7. The brass sleeve that came with the kit, you will install that in the original column where it was cut at the bottom. It will slide up into the bottom of the column and once in place tighten the set screws so it will not move. This part is so the column is solid and the steering shaft will not pull up thru the top of the column.
8. Install rack and pinion on the rack bracket.
9. Install complete rack bracket onto frame. Using the original holes that mounted the idler arm and steering gear box.
10. Put the original tie rod ends on to the end of the rack and pinion and install them onto the new shorter steering arms.
11. Center the wheels and center the steering wheel.
12. Measure the distance between the rack shaft and steering shaft.
13. You might need to cut the new steering shaft to the correct length. When the steering shaft is hooked up to the car, you want about 2 1/2 inches into the slip joint.
14. Now that you have the steering shaft to the right length, install it onto the rack & column. Tighten the bolt on the u-joint going to the rack.
15. Make sure your wheels are pointed straight and the steering wheel is centered.
16. Tighten the outer clamp bolt on the steering shaft u-joint.
17. There is a hole in the center of the u-joint on the steering arm. Drill it thru the steering shaft, place the bolt thru it & tighten it up.
18. Now the rack is installed on the car, the next step is the power steering pump.
19. Figure out which pump you want to use on your car. There is a wide variety of pumps to choose from. You may even use the original pump that came on the Belair. In our opinion the best pump to use is the pump from the 70’s Chevelle. You may even use the pumps from the newer engines.
20. Install the pump of your choice, pulley’s and belt.
21. Install hoses on the rack, and then install them into the pump.
22. Fill the reservoir on the pump with power steering fluid.
23. Before lowering the car, start the engine. Turn the wheel back and forth, bleeding the air from the lines. Turn the engine off, check and fill fluid again. Start the engine once more, do this until there is no whining from the pump.
24. Replace wheels and lower car.
25. You will need a front end alignment. So take your vehicle to a shop as soon as possible.

Parts list
1. Rack and Pinion (1988 GM Celebrity)
2. 2 Hoses (Custom made)
3. Steering shaft (Newer GM u-joints)
4. Steering arms (Custom made)
5. Brass sleave (Custom made)
6. Rack bracket (Custom made)
7. 5-bolts (7/16 grade 8 5″ long)
8. 5-washers (7/16 lock washers)
9. 5 nuts (7/16 nuts)