Return to the BUILD
“In this issue, you receive the parts for the steering gearbox. You will fix the gearbox onto the front left chassis beam and mount the upper suspension control arm on the left side of the front axle crossmember.“
Contents
Parts
Materials: Everything in this stage is metal.
Magazine
- The Series – Knight of the Phoenix
- Build Your KI.T.T. – Step by Step
- Secret Files – Richard Basehart
Build
Mounting the Steering Gearbox
Step 1
Fit two posts of a Steering Cross Joint in between the brackets of the Steering Gear 1 as shown, then secure the Steering Cross Joint into the brackets with two (2) GM screws, one on each side.
This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Step 2
Fit the brackets at one end of the Steering Column over the unused posts of this Steering Cross Joint as shown, then secure the Steering Cross Joint into these brackets with two (2) more GM screws, one on each side:
Step 3
Fit two posts of the remaining Steering Cross Joint in between the brackets at the other end of the Steering Column as shown, then secure this Steering Cross Joint into these brackets with two (2) more GM screws, one on each side:
Step 4
Fit the ‘worm gear’ of Steering Gear 1 into the Steering Gearbox Bottom, as shown:
Slide the long post of Steering Gear 2 down through the hole in the Steering Gearbox Bottom, meshing these gears together.
You may want to put a small amount of grease/oil on these gears to help them work better:
Step 5
Fit the Steering Gearbox Top over this assembly, as shown:
Secure the parts together from the other side with three (2) EM screws:
Step 6
Fit the two posts on the side of the Steering Gearbox assembly into these matching holes of the Front Left Chassis Beam:
Begin securing the Gearbox to the Beam from the other side with two (2) MM screws:
Step 7
Finish securing the Steering Gearbox to the Front Left Chassis Beam from below with one (1) EM screw:
Front Suspension Assembly (2)
Step 8
Retrieve your Front Axle Crossmember assembly from the previous stage. Fit the two legs of the Front Left Suspension Upper Control Arm between the tabs of the left-side Control Arm Brackets 1 and 3.
Make sure this Control Arm is installed the correct way around. Note the location of this ‘bump’ (arrow below):
Secure the Control Arm to the Brackets with two (2) IM screws. One screw on each side from opposite directions, as shown.
Like last time, take your time with these screws. The holes have to be aligned and it can take some force to drive the screws all the way in:
Thoughts
Our first piece of Pontiac frame has arrived and we are making progress on the front suspension and steering. So far, so good!
Next Up
Stage 8 – Front Left Lower Control Arm/Spring/Joints/Shock Absorber, Front Left/Right Reinforcements/Mounts