Steering on SS/LA 58 Corvette

Wade Mahaffey · 09-03-2018, 06:17 PM

Can you use a Rack & Pinion style steering on a 58 Corvette in traditional Super/Stock (SS/LA) ? Didn't think you could, but thought I saw one recently and was wondering if an amendment was issued. The 58 corvette has (8) pivoting points from the steering box to the spindles, which could be reduced to (4) with a rack & pinion. (8) joints lends itself to "Steering slop" when just a little wear on any of the joints .. or the worm gears in the factory steering box. These (C-1 Corvettes) have what's called a "third arm" in the steering detail. This condition could of course cause and/or contribute to vehicle stability at speed becoming a safety issue. I believe you can install a rack for S/S Modified cars to eliminate all that mess, which is the common class for the old Corvettes. Haven't seen any C-1 (54-62) Corvettes that run traditional S/S, but have seen Several C-2 (63-67) Corvettes in traditional S/S. I believe H,I,J, maybe. If it's not legal, how would you proceed to have that request viewed. Would you go through the division tech director, or can you go directly to California? I have heard "Just do it" and of course "It's better to beg for forgiveness, than ask for permission" I have gone around the block with Mr. Bachelder out in California, and it took a few months ... but in the end he agreed ... the rule book wording was slightly changed after convincing evidence was presented. And I learned a lot from the whole experience!

Wade Mahaffey

09-03-2018, 06:17 PM	#1
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Steering on SS/LA 58 Corvette Can you use a Rack & Pinion style steering on a 58 Corvette in traditional Super/Stock (SS/LA) ? Didn't think you could, but thought I saw one recently and was wondering if an amendment was issued. The 58 corvette has (8) pivoting points from the steering box to the spindles, which could be reduced to (4) with a rack & pinion. (8) joints lends itself to "Steering slop" when just a little wear on any of the joints .. or the worm gears in the factory steering box. These (C-1 Corvettes) have what's called a "third arm" in the steering detail. This condition could of course cause and/or contribute to vehicle stability at speed becoming a safety issue. I believe you can install a rack for S/S Modified cars to eliminate all that mess, which is the common class for the old Corvettes. Haven't seen any C-1 (54-62) Corvettes that run traditional S/S, but have seen Several C-2 (63-67) Corvettes in traditional S/S. I believe H,I,J, maybe. If it's not legal, how would you proceed to have that request viewed. Would you go through the division tech director, or can you go directly to California? I have heard "Just do it" and of course "It's better to beg for forgiveness, than ask for permission" I have gone around the block with Mr. Bachelder out in California, and it took a few months ... but in the end he agreed ... the rule book wording was slightly changed after convincing evidence was presented. And I learned a lot from the whole experience! Wade Mahaffey