Chevy & GMC Vans

photo_van wrote:how about keeping it in the family with a R&P from a 1500 Silverado or Express? 4463 pounds and our tierod ends "might" just screw right on. May have to shorten the tierods some. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0031

You beat me to it... now that GM is offering rack and pinion on the full-size trucks, I think this would make a better starting point.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/170680627070?fits ... railblazer

Or this one? It mentions bravada which runs the 7.2 front diff

Here are some preliminary numbers I measured on my '98 AWD:

stop to stop "throw" is ~5.25" in exactly 2 rotations of steering wheel

inner tierods end to end ~39"

outer tierods end to end @ grease fitting ~54 3/4" (measured straight, probably a bit longer along the actual assembly)

I had looked at the Trailblazer but it appears to have "female" inner tierods which would require finding longer outer tierods. But compared to the Silverado dimensions, it may be a better fit. Unfortunately I can't seem to find any specs on the Mustang unit. From the photos in this thread it appears quite a bit smaller with the inner tierod ball joint distance close to those on the OEM cross link. Too, the mustang is two turn stop to stop. But that's not to say the others don't throw 5" in two turns. More research and/or a trip into town to see what OReily's has on the shelf.

Silverado 99-07
Distance Between Mounting Holes (In): 14-7/8 Inch
Distance Between Mounting Holes (mm): 379.3mm
Hose Port Type: O-Ring/O-Ring
Input Shaft Diameter (In): 0.8125 Inch
Input Shaft Diameter (mm): 16.8mm
Input Shaft Length (In): 2-1/8 Inch
Input Shaft Length (mm): 43mm
Number Of Holes Or Bushings: 2
Overall Length (In): 50-1/2 Inch
Pressure Port Thread Size: M18-1.50
Rack Length (mm): 1284mm
Return Port Thread Size: M16-1.50
Thread Length (In): 60mm
Tie Rod Ends Included: Inner
Total Turns Lock To Lock: 3.3 Turns

Trailblazer/Bravada
Distance Between Mounting Holes (mm): 653.5mm
Hose Port Type: O-Ring/O-Ring
Input Shaft Diameter (mm): 16.8mm
Input Shaft Length (mm): 53.5mm
Number Of Holes Or Bushings: 2
Pressure Port Thread Size: M12-1.50
Rack Length (mm): 990mm
Return Port Thread Size: M12-1.50
Thread Length (In): 45mm
Tie Rod Ends Included: Inner
Total Turns Lock To Lock: 3.59 Turns

Captn. Crunch wrote:http://m.ebay.com/itm/170680627070?fits ... railblazer

Or this one? It mentions bravada which runs the 7.2 front diff

If we are looking at this chassis, maybe look into Hummer H3 parts. Maybe beefier than a typical Trailblazer/Colorado?

After researching outside tie rod ends last night, I'm believing all the units would be strong enough. Voyager, Silverado and Astro all seem to have equivalent tie rod sizes; the Trailblazer end is actually bigger and doesn't look like it would fit the Astro knuckle. I'm thinking Smilesafari is out there somewhere smiling at us 'reinventing the wheel'

I'm looking for the most economical, available option that will be a correct application. One thing that leads me to GM is that perhaps the input shaft and the hydraulic lines may be of the same size (Hummer could work too)? Though I'm not sure how much that matters. Speaking of which; does anyone out there know of the input shaft size and hydraulic fittings size on an Astro steering box?

photo_van wrote:I'm looking for the most economical, available option that will be a correct application. One thing that leads me to GM is that perhaps the input shaft and the hydraulic lines may be of the same size (Hummer could work too)? Though I'm not sure how much that matters. Speaking of which; does anyone out there know of the input shaft size and hydraulic fittings size on an Astro steering box?

The inlet/outlet sizes are 16mm / 18mm and fairly standard throughout many of the GM trucks/vans I noticed while researching for longer p/s lines. Rock Auto lists some specs and Gates p/s hoses list hose lengths, fitting end diameters, etc.

These are specs listed on Atsco steering gears:

2003-2005 AWD

Steering Box Type: Power Steering
Input Shaft Type: Splined
Input Shaft Diameter: 0.72
Input Shaft Spline Count: 26
Output Shaft Diameter: 1.25
Output Shaft Spline Count: 32
Inlet Size: 16mm X 1.5
Outlet Size: 18mm X 1.5
Total Turns Lock To Lock: 2.5

1999-2002 AWD:

Steering Box Type: Power Steering
Input Shaft Type: Splined
Input Shaft Diameter: 0.72
Input Shaft Spline Count: 26
Output Shaft Diameter: 1.25
Output Shaft Spline Count: 32
Inlet Size: 18mm X 1.5
Outlet Size: 16mm X 1.5
Total Turns Lock To Lock: 2.8

1995-1998 AWD:

Steering Box Type: Power Steering
Input Shaft Type: Splined
Input Shaft Diameter: 0.72
Input Shaft Spline Count: 26
Output Shaft Diameter: 1.25
Output Shaft Spline Count: 32
Inlet Size: 18mm X 1.5
Outlet Size: 16mm X 1.5
Total Turns Lock To Lock: 2.6

Thanks for the info Strover. Looks like the lines are a match with the Sierra/Silverado, but not the input shaft. ***or at least a match with some years. I wonder if the input/output sizes were really changed or if that's a typo?***

Soooo. I'm looking for input shaft and port dimensions for Impala/Mont Carlo R&P (which I still can't find, so any help would be GREAT!) and I come across this http://shop.rackdoctor.net/2003-2005-Ch ... 042-AS.htm

If I ordered this, I wonder what they would send? I have an email into them....

Installing rack and pinion on a awd 89 astrology any info would be appreciated

Installing rack and pinion on a awd 89 astro any info would be appreciated

http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=91049

This is a good read

Captn. Crunch wrote:http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=91049

This is a good read

That was an interesting read!

Hi,
I may be installing new tie rod ends on my 2003 Astro AWD. The Moog parts are what everyone says are worth getting. I imagine I can order the Moog ones at O Reilly or Pep Boys.

Thanks,

AP

Good call. Can't go wrong with Moog. I'm overdue for ball joints and I'm looking at just doing all four Moog control arms with bj's and bushings already installed for $260.00.
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-rk620719