Flaming River Vega Box User Manual

800 Poertner Drive

800

80

Berea, OH 44017
1-

-648-

22

WARRANTY: ONE (1) YEAR FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. REPLACEMENT OF PRODUCT DEEMED
DEFECTIVE BY THE FACTORY.

STEERING BOX INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS – Vega Gear Box Kit Installation FR1494, FR1495, FR1495-1,
FR1496

TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1009

ANY LABOR INCURRED IS SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED.

Kit Includes:

Pitman Arm, NEW Vega steering box, 1-universal joint (5/8”-36 x ¾”-36), Stub shaft

Tools Required:

Pitman arm puller, 3/8” drive socket set, Needle-nose pliers, Open/Closed box wrench set, hack
saw, 3/8” power drill, ¼” & 5/16” high speed twist drill bits, torque wrench, red threadlocker, floor
jack, 4 jack stands

Needed parts (not supplied): 5/16” Grade 8 bolt, 5/16” lock washer, 5/16” nut, cotter pin
IMPORTANT: Make sure your wheels are straight ahead before be ginning and the vehicle is properly

supported on jack stands. With the wheels straight ahead, mark the top center of the steering wheel with
a piece of tape around the grip to assure the wheel is centered.

NOTE: All boxes are pre-lubricated and pre-adjusted to factory specifications.

PREPARATION

1. Remove the bolt securing the steering drag link to the pitman arm. (SAVE THE BOLT, NUT,
WASHER; DISCARD COTTER PIN)

2. Remove the original pitman arm, using the pitman arm puller tool

3. Remove the original steering shaft from column and steering box (SAVE FOR
REINSTALLATION)

4. Remove the original steering box (SAVE MOUNTING BOLTS)

5. If the car is equipped with power steering, remove the hoses, pump, etc.

INSTALLATION

IMPORTANT!! Before installing, center the box! Refer to the attached enclosed Technical
Bulletin #1001 before proceeding.

1. Using the original steering box mounting bolts, install the new Flaming River Vega steering
box to the frame. Torque mounting bolts to 50-65 ft-lb.

2. Install the pitman arm furnished with this kit to the sector shaft. Using the torque wrench,
tighten the sector shaft bolt to 115 ft-lb.

3. Install the steering shaft as follows:
a) Attach the 5/8”-36 x ¾”-36 u-joint to the input shaft of the steering b ox. The top of the

input shaft should be flush with the bottom of the universal joint yoke – the shaft MUST
NOT extend past the bottom of the yoke.

b) Place the OEM steeri ng shaft in a bench vise and using a hacksaw, cut the shaft as close

as possible to the rag joint. Discard the rag joint. Drill a 1/4 “ (0.250”) pilot hole through
the shaft, 1” from the cut.

c) Install the Flaming River stub shaft (supplied) with the splined end into the universal joint

that is installed onto the steering box. The end of the stub shaft should be flush with the
bottom of the universal joint yoke – the shaft MUST NOT extend past the bottom of the
yoke. Snug the setscrew tight enough to make a mark on the shaft splines.

d) Reinstall the original shaft to the column shaft. Mark the position of the end of OEM

steering shaft to the stub shaft.
e) After marking the OEM shaft, remove it from the car.
f) Loosen the setscrew on the yoke and remove the stub shaft.
g) Slide the stub shaft into the OEM steering shaft; slide the stub shaft into OEM steering

shaft, up to the mark made in step 4d above.
h) Place the steering shaft and stub shaft into a bench vise and using a 5/16” drill bit, drill a

hole completely through the steering shaft and stub shaft at the pilot hole. Install the 5/16”

Grade 8 bolt. Apply red threadlocker to the threads of the bolt; install the lock washer and

nut. Torque to 25 ft-lb.
i) Before removing the shaft assembly from the vise, dimple the splined end of the stub

shaft at the mark left by the setscrew with a ¼” drill bit.
j) Reinstall the modified steering shaft to the u-joint yoke. Align the yoke setscrew to the

dimple made on the splined shaft. Apply red threadlocker to the setscrew threads. Align

the u-joint to allow the setscrew to bed into the dimple made on the splined shaft. Torque

the setscrew to 25 ft-lb. Tighten jam nut.

4. Reattach the center link to the pitman arm. Install washer and nut. Tighten nut to 40-45 ft-lb,
install new cotter pin, and bend over ends.

5. Check the center position of steering. Should adjustment be necessary, remove and rotate
the universal joint on the steering box input shaft one (1) spline to the left or right to center
the steering. Retorque the setscrew to 25 ft-lb.; retighten the jam nut.

NOTE: Front-end alignment by a service professional following installation is advised.
NOTE: Flaming River recommends periodic inspection of all u-joint setscrews for tightness.

Because of their intended usage, the manufacturer makes no warranties whatsoever expressed 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 their own skill or judgment that such goods are suitable for the
purchaser’s application.

Warranty Disclaimer

021805