Flaming River 1955-57 User Manual

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Index

For safety disconnect battery cables and ensure that vehicle is properly supported by jack
stands.

Before paint or powder coating of the rack and pinion cradle system we recommend that you pre-fit
the system to ensure proper fit.

Inventory PG 2
Electrical System Verification PG 3
Removal of Factory Steering PG 3

Installation of Rack and Cradle PG 4-5
Installation of Flaming River Column

Flaming River Tilt Column PG 6
Original Steering Wheel Installation PG 7
Aftermarket Steering Wheel Installation PG 8

Electrical System Notes PG 9
Note: Floor Mount is not included in this kit. Existing floor will need to be modified or a new floor mount
will need to be fabricated.

Universal Joint and Steering Shaft Installation PG 10

Power Steering Pump Installation PG 11
Power Steering Bleeding Procedure PG 12

Warranty Disclaimer

Because of their intended usage, the manufacturer makes no warranties whatsoever express or
implied, oral or written, to purchasers of their products regarding performance, safety, fit
merchantability, or length of service. Purchasers are responsible for selection of proper goods and
must rely on there own skill or judgment that such goods are suitable for purchasers application.

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

Modified on 02/06/08

JJ/RD/BC

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Rack Kit Inventory

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QUANTITY

BOLT-3/8-16X4.5 3/8-16 GRADE 8 BOLT 4.5" LONG 2

BOLT-7/16-14X4.5 7/16-14 GRADE 8 BOLT 4.5 LONG 3

NUT-3/8-16 STOVER LOCK NUT 3/8-16 2

NUT-7/16-14 STOVER LOCK NUT 7/16-14 3

WASH-3/8" 3/8" FLAT WASHER GRADE 8 EQU 2

WASH-7/16" 7/16"FLAT WAHSER GRADE 8 EQU 3

FR1614 REMOTE RESERVOIR-POWER STEERING 1
FR1714DD 3/4"-36X1"DD 1
FR1715DD 3/4"-36X3/4"DD 1
FR1759DD 3/4"DD X 17MMDD 1

BK10200 SUPPORT BEARING BRACKET BENT 1

FR1810 ZINC 3/4"SUPPORT BEARING 1

FR1870-8 8"SPLINE BOTH ENDS 1

SHO.750DDX008 SHAFT.3/4"DD X 8" 1

FR20005-28TB 28"COLUMN 2"OD FOR T-BIRD KIT 1

FR314-AS CRADLE ASSEMBLY FOR T-BIRD KITS 1

** FR314-CDL CRADLE FOR T-BIRD KITS 1

** FR314-IE INNER TIE ROD ENDS 2
** FR314-MT1 D/S SIDE RACK MOUNT 1
** FR314-MT2 P/S SIDE RACK MOUNT 1

** FR314-RACK POWER RACK & PINION 1

** FR314-SPACE INNER TIE ROD END SPACERS 2

** FR314-TB TRAVEL BAR 1
**BOLT-3/8-16X1.25 3/8-16 X 1 1/4 BOLT 4
**BOLT-M14X1.5-35 14 - 1.5 X 35MM 2

**WASH-M14 M14 WASHER 2

**WASH-1/2 SAFETY WASHERS 2

**NUT-1/2 1/2-20 SLOTTED HEX NUTS 2

**COTTER-PIN COTTER PINS 2

**FR1810-3 QA1 ROD BEARING 2

FR314PB1 L SHAPED T-BIRD PUMP BRACKET 1
FR314PB2 9"T-BIRD PUMP BRACKET 1
FR314PB3 SMALL T-BIRD PUMP BRACKET 1

FRPMPSB-V PUMP W/V-BELT PULLY ON 1

FR20118 FEMALE WIRING ADAPTER 1

** INDICATES PARTS ARE ASSEMBLED ONTO FR314-AS

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Color Verification to be completed before disassembly

Before disconnecting the turn signal connector, verify the wiring color to ensure proper operation, the use
of a wiring diagram is recommended.

• Brake Light Switch :

• RR Turn Signal :

• LR Turn Signal :

• Turn Signal Power :

• Hazard Power :

• RF Turn Signal :

• LF Turn Signal :

• Horn :

Original Steering System Removal

5 Disconnect your battery.
5 Before disassembly measure from zirc to zirc on the outer tie rod ends. Mark this dimension on

page 5 in step 3.
5 Disconnect the wiring at the bottom of the steering gear housing and the steering column.
5 Remove the horn ring from the steering wheel, and then remove the upper steering column, upper

steering shaft, and steering wheel as an assembly from the car.
5 Loosen the lower steering column clamp, and then remove the two screws from the upper steering

column bracket.
5 Remove the sector shaft arm nut, then using a pitman arm puller remove the arm from the

steering box.
5 Remove the bolts that hold the steering gear to the frame and remove the box from the car.
5 Remove the bolts that hold the idler arm bracket to the frame and the outer tie rod ends from the

spindle arms, and then remove the steering linkage from the car.

Before disassembly measure from zirc to zirc on the outer tie rod ends

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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JJ/RD/BC

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Flaming River Rack & Pinion Installation

1) Install the rack and pinion cradle by sliding it into place between the frame rails, installing the new

hardware using three 7/16” bolts where the gear box

arm was located. Tighten the 7/16” nuts and bolts to 50-65 ft lbs and the 3/8” nuts and bolts to 40 -45

ft lbs.

Driver’s Side

2) To install the Flaming River rack and travel bar system, position the rack into place and install the rack

to the cradle using the mounting brackets provided. Once the Rack is installed make sure that the

travel bar is parallel with the ground. Then tighten the two bolts that hold the travel bar to the rack to

90 ft. lbs. We recommend the use of loc-tite on all threads when installed.

was mounted and two 3/8” bolts where the idler

Passenger Side

Tighten All

Nuts & Bolts

Picture shows Rack & Pinion Cradle System

Installed in Car

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Flaming River Rack & Pinion Installation

3) Install the OEM adjuster sleeves onto the new Flaming River inner tie rod ends, next install the outer

tie rod ends into the adjuster sleeves and adjust tie rods until the original zerk to zerk measurement

taken before disassembly is obtained.

spacers onto the inner tie rod end studs, next install the tie rod assembly onto the travel bar and make

sure that the crimped side of the rod bearing is facing outward. Tighten the nut to 110 ft lbs and install

the cotter pin.

(Measurement from page 3). Place the 3/8”

4) To install the outer tie rod ends into the spindles you must load the front suspension. (Securely placing

jack stands under the lower control arms and lowering the car onto the jack stands accomplishes this.)

Install the outer tie rod ends into the spindle and tighten the castle nuts to 30-40 ft lbs. Make sure to

install cotter pins into the castle nut and tie rod end and bend the tabs over for security.

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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JJ/RD/BC

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Flaming River Column Installation

Note: Floor is not included in this kit. Existing floor will need to be modified or a new floor mount will

need to be fabricated.

1) Install the column spacer with the larger diameter side towards the top of the column with the split
facing to the bottom.

Split in bushing facing to the
bottom.

Factory Dash Bezel &

Under Dash Mount

2) Install the new column into the mounting location using the original column mounting brackets

removed earlier.

3) To ensure that the column is straight, place the turn signal arm points to the 9 o’clock position.

Original Thunderbird Steering

Wheel Shown in Picture

4) Place the column under the dash and snug the two mounting screws for the under dash mount.

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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JJ/RD/BC

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Installation of Original Steering Wheel

Note: The original Steering Wheel needs to be modified for the horn to work correctly.

1) Hold the steering wheel in the straight ahead position.

2) Cut template out around dotted line below.

3) Place the template onto the center of the wheel, next center punch the center of the cancelin g cam

hole (the canceling cam hole should be at the 10:30 position on the steering wheel), then drill a 3/8”
hole.

4) Install horn contact kit into canceling cam tube and turn to lock horn wire in place.

Cut around dotted
line and place into

center of steering

wheel.

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Aftermarket Wheel Installation

1) Install horn contact kit into canceling cam tube and turn to lock.

2) Align steering wheel adapter so that the canceling cam hole is at approx the 11 O’clock position

and that one of the steering wheel mounting holes is at the 12 O’clock position.

3) To install the wheel adapter run the horn contact wire through the hole for the canceling cam and
place the adapter on to the splined column shaft.

4) Tighten the adapter-retaining nut until the adapter is approximately 1/16” away from the column
shroud.

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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JJ/RD/BC

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Connecting Electrical System

1) Install the wiring adapter that is included in the kit following the diagram below or refer to the wring

verification chart that was done before disassembly.

Circuit Vehicle Wiring Pin Location Column Wiring

Brake Light Switch Green P White

R/R Turn Sign Signal Orange - Blue N DK Green

L/R Turn Signal Green - Orange M Yellow

Turn Signal Power Blue L Purple

Hazard Power N/A K Brown
R/F Turn Signal White- Blue J DK Blue
L/F Turn Signal Green - White H LT Blue

Horn Yellow - Green G Black

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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JJ/RD/BC

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Universal Joint System.

1) Install support-bearing mount onto the cradle mounting bolt. (Picture below). Note: The angle of this

mount is set for most applications. Some adjustment may be necessary for the correct angle and u­joint alignment.

2) We recommend the use of ¾” wood dowel rod to mock up the steering shaft to obtain the correct
length of the shafts.

3) Install your shaft kit and snug each set screw so that it will leave a mark in the shafts.

4) Remove shaft and dimple each setscrew mark using a ¼” drill bit. (As shown below.)

Re-install the shafts using red loc-tite thread locker on the set screw threads. Tighten each setscrew to 25 ft. lbs. Tighten

5)

all lock nuts securely. We recommend that you Inspect setscrews periodically for tightness.

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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JJ/RD/BC

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Power Steering Pump Installation

Connect to Manifold on Drivers
side

A) On the driver’s side exhaust manifold remove the front mounting bolt. Using the bolt that was

removed install bracket #1 and snug bolt.

B) Remove bolt from timing chain cover and then install bracket #3 and snug bolt.
C) Mount pump onto aluminum bracket #2 and mount assembly to the brackets #1 & #3 using the

bolts that are provided.

D) Mount bracket #4 to the top water pump bolt.
E) Install turn buckle assembly from bracket #4 to power steering pump.
F) Tighten all mounting bolts.

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

Modified on 02/06/08

RD/BC

JJ/

Thunderbird Rack & Pinion System

Power Steering Bleeding Procedure

1) Fill the reservoir with high-quality power steering fluid and allow to sit for 2 minutes

2) Raise the front end of the vehicle so the wheels are just off the ground. Rotate wheels back and

forth at least 20 times. Have an assistant check and maintain fluid level while performing this
operation.

3) Start the engine and recheck fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.

4) With the engine running, rotate the steering wheel back and forth from lock-to-lock. Repeat

several times. Check fluid level and add fluid if necessary.

5) Lower the vehicle on the ground and with the engine running, repeat step 5. Check fluid level and
add if necessary

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Flaming River Ind. 800-648-8022

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JJ/RD/BC