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70-81 Camaro Rack & Pinion Cradle System
Index
For safety disconnect battery cables and ensure that vehicle is properly supported by jack stands.
NOTE: Hoses (FR1610) Pump Mounting Brackets (FR1611) is sold separately and is not included in this
kit. Factory inner and outer tie rod ends must be used with this rack and pinion kit.
Before paint or powder coating of the rack and pinion cradle system we recommend that you pre-fit the
system to ensure proper fit.
Installation hardware and inventory PG 2
Electrical System Verification PG 3
(Only if using a Flaming River Column)
Removal of Factory Steering Shaft PG 3
Removal of Factory Steering Column PG 4
(Only if using a Flaming River Column)
Steering Box & Linkage Removal PG 4-5
Installation of Flaming River Column (For kits including new Column)
Installation of New Flaming River Tilt Column PG 6
Electrical System Notes PG 7
Steering Wheel Installation PG 7-8
Installation of the Flaming River Rack & Cradle
Installation of Rack and Cradle PG 8-10
Section 4 Universal Joint Installation
A. Universal Joint and Steering Shaft Installation PG 10-11
Torque Specs PG 11
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.
Warranty Disclaimer
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70-81 Camaro Rack & Pinion Cradle System
P/N DESCRIPTION QTY
100202 KIT, HDW CRADLE CAMARO 70-81 1
100205 ASM, JOINT HEIM Ø.75 MODIFIED 1
100207 ASM, CRADLE CAMARO 1970-81 1
FR1614 REMOTE RESEVOIR-PWR STEERING 1
FR1717DD 3/4DD X 1DD 1
FR1789P-2 FR POWER X 3/4DD 1
FR1850-22 22" 3/4DD SHAFT 1
FR20114-K FACTORY DROP 1
FR20118 FEMALE CONNECTOR KIT 1
FR2644 FORGED U-JOINT 3/4DD X 3/4DD 1
FR30001 33" KEY COLUMN PAINT 1
FRDMDCL FR DOMED DECAL 1
FRPMPSB-V PUMP W/V-BELT PULLY ON 1
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70-81 Camaro Rack & Pinion Cradle System
If using a Flaming River Steering Column it is recommended that before any disassembly you should first
verify the wiring for your turn signals and ignition switch to ensue proper operation.
Color Verification to be completed before disassembly
Before disconnecting the turn signal and the ignition connectors verify the wiring color to ensure proper
operation. The colors listed with the ignition switch diagram below are from a stock wiring system. Wire
colors may change due to the use of aftermarket wiring harnesses and wiring modifications. 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 Shaft Removal
1) Remove the pinch bolt that retains the steering coupler to the steering column and the bolt that
retains the rag joint to the steering box. Collapse shaft and remove it from the car.
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70-81 Camaro Rack & Pinion Cradle System
Original Column Removal
Only perform these steps if using a new Flaming River Steering Column
1) Disconnect the column wiring connectors.
2) Remove the bolts that hold the column floor mount to the firewall.
3) Support the column and remove the bolts that retain the under dash mounting clamp.
4) Remove the factory steering column from the vehicle.
Steering Box and Linkage Removal
Before beginning you must first measure the width of your front end from LEFT outer tie rod end zerk to the RIGHT outer tie rod
end zerk to determine the overall width of your front end. Write dimension here for further reference
1) Remove the pitman arm from the steering box using a pitman arm puller.
2) Remove the two bolts that retain the idler arm to the frame rail.
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3) Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts and separate the outer tie rod ends from the spindles.
4) Next remove the steering linkage from the car.
5) If you have power steering remove the lines from your power box, pump and pump brackets.
6) Remove the three bolts that retain the box to the frame rail and remove the box from the car
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Installation of Flaming River Column
Note: The factory OEM floor mount is fixed to the steering column. Modification to the factory
floor mount is required to hold the new steering column in place. (See example below)
1) Remove the two screws that hold the dash mount together and separate.
2) Take the upper portion of the mount and place it in the stock mounting location, next using the
factory mounting hardware snug the mount in place.
3) Place the modified factory floor mount over the column tube.
4) Hold the new column into the mounting location and reattach the lower portion of the dash
mount bracket.
5) Ensure that the column straight by having the turn signal arm points to the 9 o’clock position.
Tighten the two mounting screws on the new Flaming River clamp.
6) Install the floor mounting screws and tighten to 15 ft lbs.
7) Tighten the floor mounting clamp around the tube.
Note: Floor
Mount and
parts to modify
the factory floor
mount are not
included
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70-81 Camaro Rack & Pinion Cradle System
Color Verification to be completed before disassembly
Electrical System Notes
Caution: Before disconnecting your original steering column wiring harness please verify each
wire color and function on the worksheet below. Some wire colors may vary from year to year.
FLAMING RIVER COLUMN WIRING
P-WHITE-BRAKELIGHT SWITCH
N-DK GREEN-RR TURN SIGNAL
M-YELLOW-LR TURN SIGNAL
L-PURPLE-TURN SIGNAL POWER
K-BROWN-HAZARD POWER
J-DK BLUE-RF TURN SIGNAL
H-LT BLUE-LF TURN SIGNAL
G-BLACK-HORN
Brake Light Switch :
RR Turn Signal :
LR Turn Signal :
Turn Signal Power :
Hazard Power :
RF Turn Signal :
LF Turn Signal :
Horn :
Steering 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.
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70-81 Camaro Rack & Pinion Cradle System
Tighten All
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.
Installation of the Flaming River Rack and Cradle
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 was mounted and two 3/8” bolts where the idler
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.
Installing Cradle In-between Frame Rails
Nuts & Bolts
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2) To install the Flaming River rack and travel bar system rotate the travel bar over the lip of the cross
member, next position the rack into place and install the rack to the cradle using the mounting
brackets provided. Once you have adjusted the pinion angle tighten the 4 mounting bracket bolts and
the 2 ¼-20 set screws to lock the rack in place.
3) Install the inner and outer tie rod assembly into the travel bar assembly and adjust tie rods until the
original zerk to zerk measurement taken before disassembly is obtained.
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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.
Universal Joint System.
1) Install support-bearing mount onto the rear control arm bolt; after the shafting is installed make sure to
tighten the set screw.
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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.)
5) Re-install the shafts using red loc-tite thread locker on the set screw threads. Tighten each setscrew
to 25 ft. lbs. Tighten all lock nuts securely. We recommend that you Inspect setscrews periodically for
tightness.
Torque Specs
Cradle to Frame Mounting Bolts
7/16” Mounting Bolts 50-65 ft lbs
3/8” Mounting Bolts 40-45 ft lbs
Outer Tie Rod Ends to Spindle 30-40 ft lbs
Universal Joint Set Screws 25 ft-lbs
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