Borgeson Steering Shafts Technical Information

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Designing Your Steering System

Often the steering system is designed late in the building process. Borgeson recommends that the steering be mocked up at the time the engine and exhaust components are installed. Positioning of the column, shafts, and u-joints with respect to the engine, exhaust and steering box early on can help in selecting the correct parts. With Borgeson's selection of u-joints, shafts, and vibration reducers, any system can be designed or modified to result in a car that is not only safe, but a pleasure to drive. Keeping a system simple is the best course, but even a system with up to 10 u-joints can be designed as long as the proper phasing and supports are used. Remember to use a support bearing if more than two joints are used.

Borgeson Shaft Support Placement

Anytime more than two universal joints are used in a system, a shaft support is required to prevent the shafts from looping. In a system with 3 u-joints, one support is required. For each additional u-joint, an additional support will be needed. In a 3 joint system it is best to locate the shaft support as close to the center u-joint as possible. If one of the shafts is significantly longer than the other, it is best to locate the support on the longer shaft.

Vibration Reducer Placement

Vibration reducers can substantially reduce, and even eliminate annoying road vibration from being transmitted to the steering wheel. Location of the reducer in a system is very important in order to take full advantage of its effects. In a two joint system, the vibration reducer can be installed at either end without any loss of effectiveness. In a system with one or more shaft supports however, the vibration reducer should be located on the column side of the support(s). A shaft support located on the steering column side of a vibration reducer can pick up vibration, bypass the reducer, and transmit the vibration to the steering wheel.

Borgeson Steering Shafts

Borgeson does not recommend using less than 3/4” diameter steering shaft. They will not sell a shaft with a smaller diameter due to safety considerations. For example a 5/8” shaft is 42% weaker than a 3/4” shaft and can be twisted with a 14” steering wheel. Borgeson offers three basic steering shaft types; splined, Double-D and Telescopic.

STEERING RATIO

The steering box ratio is the relationship between input motion and output motion. The ratio is expressed as 24:1, 22:1, 16:1, etc. For example, in a 24:1 ratio box, the pitman shaft rotates one degree for every 24 degrees of input shaft rotation. The higher the first number, the more input shaft rotation is required to get the same amount of output shaft rotation. Dividing the first number in the ratio by four, gives the number of turns lock to lock.

PITMAN ARM LENGTH

Steering speed can be adjusted by box ratio or pitman arm length. The longer the pitman arm, the quicker the steering will be. That is, a longer pitman arm means less steering wheel movement is required to produce the same amount of front wheel movement. So if you are looking to speed up or slow down the steering, changing the pitman arm is an easy way to do it.

Splined Borgeson Steering Shafts

Borgeson manufactures splined steering shafts in steel, stainless steel, polished stainless and aluminum. All of Borgeson splined shafts have a 3/4”-36 spline. Steel and aluminum shafts have 2” of spline on each end and are available in 2” increments from 2”-36”. These can easily be trimmed up to 1” off each end for a precise fit. Stainless steel and polished stainless splined shafts have only 7/8” of spline on each end but are available in 1/4” increments from 3”-24”.

Double D Borgeson Steering Shafts

Borgeson Double-D steering shafts are available in steel, stainless steel and polished stainless. The advantage to Double-D shaft is the flexibility it offers. With Double-D steering shaft it is not necessary to know your exact shaft lengths. Double-D shaft is sold in 18”, 22” or 36” lengths and can be easily trimmed to any length. Universal joint phasing is also fixed with DD shaft and cannot be altered.

Telescopic Borgeson Steering Shafts

Borgeson offers telescoping shaft assemblies in 24” and 36” overall lengths. These shafts can be used in a variety of applications and make installation and removal of steering system components simple and easy. The telescopic action also acts as a collapsible shaft offering an added measure of safety. One end of the assembly is a 3/4”DD shaft and the other end is a 1”DD tube. The assembly can be trimmed to fit shorter applications. Telescoping shafts are available in steel only.

Borgeson Steering Shaft Support Bearings

If more than two joints are used in a steering system, a support bearing must be used to prevent “looping” and binding. Use of a vibration reducer and two u-joints will also call for a support bearing to be used. A system with a double u-joint and a single u-joint has three flex points and will require a support bearing. Support bearings will work with all 3/4” splined or Double D steering shafts.

Rod End Shaft Supports

Rod end bearings with a 3/4” hole size are commonly used for shaft supports. Rod end bearings are supplied with two jam nuts for mounting. They are available in steel, stainless steel and polished stainless steel.

Billet Shaft Supports

All billet supports accommodate a 3/4” shaft. Borgeson's standard supports are 2-1/2” tall with two threaded holes in the end for mounting and are available in steel, aluminum, polished aluminum, stainless steel, and polished stainless steel. The 6” cut and weld billet support is available only in steel and can be cut at any angle for a perfect fit.

Firewall Flange Bearing

Firewall flange bearings are perfect for supporting a ¾” shaft through the firewall. The flange bearing also acts as a firewall seal for the steering shaft. Flange bearing is available in steel only.

Single needle bearing Universal Joints

Borgeson needle bearing universal joints are machined in Borgeson's factory on state of the art CNC equipment from steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. On-going engineering and testing ensures that Borgeson offers the strongest, safest and smoothest operating steering universal joint available today. Borgeson needle bearing universal joints have the distinct advantage of lasting nearly 10 times longer than non-needle bearing joints. Borgeson recommends only needle bearing universal joints for vehicles that are used on the street. Borgeson needle bearing universal joints have no backlash or radial play. They are permanently lubricated and sealed and require no maintenance. Borgeson single universal joints will operate smoothly at angles up to 35°. Angles over 35° can be accommodated by using a double universal joint.

Double needle bearing Universal Joints

Using a Borgeson double universal joint can negotiate angles over 35º. Available in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, these doubles accommodate angles up to 70º and are available in all spline and DD configurations. Note: Using a double joint in addition to a single will require a steering shaft support bearing see design section for details.

Borgeson Steering Shafts Technical Information