Anyone replace their Power Steering gear box?

[f117rt]

Car is really sloppy on the Highway.

I Have replaced everything except for the Power Steering gear box to try and correct this.

Does anyone have any recomendations as to which unit?

Saw some on Rock Auto, Napa and Advance Auto; Anyone purchesd from them?

BTW does the steering column have to be removed?

Can it be done from under the car without removing the engine?

Thanks

 

[73 MACH 1 MAN]

It can be done under the car and no you dont need to remove the column. I would replacing the rag joint while your doing it. I bought my box from NPD reasonable price but there was a $300 core charge that's refunded upon returning the old unit! Would also suggest changing the hoses if their originals also!

 

[marks73]

Just took one out yesterday. Romoved the bolt in the collar on the PS box side of the rag joint. Since I'm replacing my hoses I just took the 3 bolts on the tire side of the frame that hold it in and pulled it down so I could get at the hoses easier. Took 15 minutes after jacking the car and removing the tire..

 

[f117rt]

It can be done under the car and no you dont need to remove the column. I would replacing the rag joint while your doing it. I bought my box from NPD reasonable price but there was a $300 core charge that's refunded upon returning the old unit! Would also suggest changing the hoses if their originals also!

Yes, I am also changing the hoses, Pump and adding a filter also.

Are there any adjustments that need to be made after installing it?

Did you see a big difference when you changed yours?

 

[c9zx]

Car is really sloppy on the Highway.

I Have replaced everything except for the Power Steering gear box to try and correct this.

Does anyone have any recomendations as to which unit?

Saw some on Rock Auto, Napa and Advance Auto; Anyone purchesd from them?

BTW does the steering column have to be removed?

Can it be done from under the car without removing the engine?

Thanks

There are two different steering boxes for 71-73 Mustangs equipped with power steering. One is a fixed ratio and the other is a variable ratio. Variable boxes all have a tag that reads as follows. 71 SPA-T or V, 72 SPA-T or V, 73 SPA-T or V or SPA-AD or AF. If you have a variable box you'd probably want a variable box back. You may need to talk to NPD about the matter. NAPA has a program to send your box to be rebuilt and returned to you in about 3 weeks at a cost of about $200.00. Chuck

 

[[email protected]]

Napa box for ours was about $130 wiyh a 60 core. No issues so far

 

[71_resurrection]

are there different steering gear ratios available, does anyone know the stock ratio? mine leaks and does the same thing on the highway above 40 mph.

 

[c9zx]

The standard PS box has a 17.5:1 ratio. The variable PS box ratio goes from 16:1 to 13:1. Other ratios may be available in the after market.

Chuck

 

[73mach1]

You could send it to Lee power steering http://lee-powersteering.com/ and have it rebuilt.They do awesome work and can valve it to give you more road feel and change your ratio if you want.

 

[f117rt]

If you have a standard ratio unit and you want to switch to a variable ratio unit, is it just a swap out? No modifications?

 

[droptop73]

I am looking at a totally different approach. Since I am planning on running autocross events have been looking for a quicker ratio box on a budget. From what I have found a gear from a mid 90s Grand Cherokee should bolt into our cars offering a 12.7:1 ratio and a better road feel. I still need to do more research on this and plan to report back what I find.

Lee is also a good source for a quicker ratio box and can rebuild the stock box with better internals.

 

[73QCodeGrande]

I am looking at a totally different approach. Since I am planning on running autocross events have been looking for a quicker ratio box on a budget. From what I have found a gear from a mid 90s Grand Cherokee should bolt into our cars offering a 12.7:1 ratio and a better road feel. I still need to do more research on this and plan to report back what I find.

Lee is also a good source for a quicker ratio box and can rebuild the stock box with better internals.

I have built a number of Jeeps and would be very interested in knowing what you find out about this since I believe I still have a Jeep steering box laying around somewhere. FYI: Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee all used the same box. Also Dodge Dakota/Durango steering boxes were a popular upgrade on Wranglers and Cherokees since they were a little more beefy had a better gear ratio than the factory ones and were a direct bolt on match!

 

[Mesozoic]

Just found this info on the net from http://www.themustangshop.com/steerbox.cfm.

- 1971-73 Mustangs with power steering use either a Saginaw or Ford integral power steering box.
- 1971-1973 manual boxes used a differently shaped external casting with a 1 1/8" sector and 24:1 ratio. There also used a slightly different frame mounting bolt pattern they won't interchange with 67-70 models.

- The 71-73 worm and rack assembly is identical to the 70-82 Corvette piece. The Corvette sector (GM P/N 7812838) and worm (GM P/N 7812942) will fit in 71-73 1 1/8" boxes if a new groove is scribed into the Ford pitman arm that corresponds with the index on the GM sector and if a Corvette coupler (GM P/N 7806391) is substituted for the Ford rag joint. Provides 16:1 ratio rather 24:1 ratio. Also the flat Ford-style sector shaft cover can be replaced with the 'Vette cover (GM P/N 7806748) which has an integral bushing that lends additional support to the sector shaft. The outer rim of the bushing support must be turned down to fit in the Ford box.

- In addition to using a fast ratio steering box, you can increase the steering rate by adding a Shelby quick steer kit (longer idler and pitman arms - What cars did these come from?).

 

[tony-muscle]

I know this is an old thread, but have a related question. I am in the process of removing the steering box to be sent to Lee Power Steering for rebuild. When you remove the box, should I mark the relative location of the steering wheel column and the rest of the steering links in case something moves. I am also replacing the steering rods. I assume I have to try leaving all the same length and position to "preserve" alignment as much as possible - I still will take it for an alignment afterwards. Do I have to worry about the current position of the gear box shaft matching the position when I reinstall the box?

 

[jbojo]

When I replaced mine I took the old steering linkage off in one piece. Then I assembled the new pieces using the old one as a template. I also counted the threads that were exposed and duplicated it on the new pieces. The alignment was pretty close in the end. The pitman arm is keyed so I centered the steering arm and then connected everything while the wheels were centered. Lastly I readjusted the steering wheel when everything was in place so that it was horizontal (2 spokes) when the wheels were centered.

 

[Dave73]

Has any one done the steering box from a jeep swap yet? How did it turn out?

And what is involved with switching to variable ratio box?

My power steering is way too much assist. Feels like 99% assist. And dangerous really.Hit a bump and arm moves and you have changed lanes. Way too easy to over correct. Can't feel a thing when cornering.

Would it be better to switch to a manual box? Or just a different power steering box? Is it even the box or is it the pump I need to replace?

Sorry for so many questions. lol.