Quick Ratio Steering Box

[cheezeba11]

I want to pass this along. Just installed Lares 807 steering box bought online. It is listed as 10:1 ratio. I researched and couldn't find anything on a 10:1 ratio so I thought I would take a chance. ($200+core and I could return it if it seemed like junk +lifetime warranty) Finish on it was a painted grey and acceptable. I put it on the bench and put a degree wheel on it and it is really a 12.7:1 ratio.

Installed and drove around this weekend. I'm impressed. Play is almost non-existent, steering is much quicker, but not twitchy, and effort is only slightly higher than the old box.

Your results may differ, but thought I would share.

 

[droptop73]

Is that a replacement box for our cars? I'm planning a Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box swap into my car. Maybe this is a better deal. How many turns lock to lock?

Thanks!

 

[cheezeba11]

Yes.. Direct swap.. Changed the box and rag joint (ordered at the same time). Pump and hoses seemed fine so I didn't change them. Steering noise is actually much quieter now.

3 turns lock to lock input (1080 degrees) output (85 degrees)

Lares also had a standard box 806 (much cheaper), but I wanted the faster ratio.

 

[droptop73]

Thanks for the information! Do you have their part number from the box?

 

[cheezeba11]

Google "Lares 807"

 

[cudak888]

I put one in the '78 Lincoln Mark V. Street corners no longer require a day's turn of the wheel to round them.

-Kurt

 

[protouringstang73]

Is that good quality? Nice you found a quick steering box for our cars, I need to get one to! How does it take the corners, a little bit like modern cars, or what? The price seems very fair to..

 

[cudak888]

Is that good quality? Nice you found a quick steering box for our cars, I need to get one to! How does it take the corners, a little bit like modern cars, or what? The price seems very fair to..

In a barge like the Mark V, not much different than any other '70s car.

Lares gives that part number as a replacement for the Mach 1 variable ratio, if I'm not mistaken.

-Kurt

 

[protouringstang73]

Aaah okay, so not a big difference or what? I thought it was much quicker.. What is the original gear ratio? Is it possible to make it much quicker with out chancing the steering box to rack and pinion?

 

[cheezeba11]

I think it made a big difference. Some of this could be from the fact that the old box had so much play in it. The new box is only 3 turns lock to lock, while the old box was 4 turns lock to lock. I'm also looking for a way to reduce some of the power assist since the effort to turn the wheel is only slightly increased.

 

[Kit Sullivan]

I had a custom-geared box made by "Redhead Gears" and it is great! I had the same ratio put in that was in my '79 Z-28 ( 18/1 I think?).

2.25 turns lock to lock. Feels like a go-cart compared to the original set-up. I love it.

 

[mach1000]

I'm also at the point I need to make a decision on my gear box. It's leaking pretty bad. So at minimum it has to be pulled and seals rebuilt. Then I still have an old worn out sloppy poor ratio gear box. So I probably should just pony up and buy a new quicker ratio like you.

 

[Kit Sullivan]

Buying a reman'd stock unit is a poor choice for many reasons. First, most of them are just "refreshed", putting in only those parts that are too severely worn to be used any further.

Even if you get a "good" one, that is rebuilt with all new parts to OEM specs,it is still an overall poor design with extremely slow gear ratios.

The boxes sold by "Redhead" ( who I am familiar with) and probably other vintage gearbox "specialists" also, typically recieve far superior bearings and in some instances actual needle bearings where only a cheap bushing was used by the OEM manufacturers.

The choice of ratios is vast compared to the extremely limited ratios you can get for an OEM unit.

They are direct bolt-ins requiring no alterations, use the stock case ( so it looks authentic).

The high precision used in the manufacture of the gears is far more accurate than the OEM units, making the steering so quick and accurate that it almost feels like a rack-and-pinion...at least in my experience.

The best part is they are no more expensive than a stock OEM reman unit.

 

[mach1000]

Buying a reman'd stock unit is a poor choice for many reasons. First, most of them are just "refreshed", putting in only those parts that are too severely worn to be used any further.

Even if you get a "good" one, that is rebuilt with all new parts to OEM specs,it is still an overall poor design with extremely slow gear ratios.

The boxes sold by "Redhead" ( who I am familiar with) and probably other vintage gearbox "specialists" also, typically recieve far superior bearings and in some instances actual needle bearings where only a cheap bushing was used by the OEM manufacturers.

The choice of ratios is vast compared to the extremely limited ratios you can get for an OEM unit.

They are direct bolt-ins requiring no alterations, use the stock case ( so it looks authentic).

The high precision used in the manufacture of the gears is far more accurate than the OEM units, making the steering so quick and accurate that it almost feels like a rack-and-pinion...at least in my experience.

The best part is they are no more expensive than a stock OEM reman unit.

Can you provide a website and part number of what you purchased from Redhead? What are we talking for price?

 

[droptop73]

http://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/

It looks like you'd need to call for details.

 

[Totalled]

I got a redhead box last year. I haven't "driven" the car yet, but it along with all new steering components have dramatically taken the slop out. I got a replacement for the stock quick ratio box.

 

[Kit Sullivan]

Yes, call them and they will guide you to just how you want the gearbox built. They have many desirable variations, depending on what you want.

I think it cost me $200...maybe less, I can't quite remember. I do know it was very near the cost for a stock reman unit from other placrs.

This is one of those "hidden" minor improvements/upgrades you can make to the car that looks and installs just like an OEM part, but gives a dramatic imorovement over the performance of the stock unit. It is far more fun to drive with this steering box.

 

[Totalled]

It's more now. I think it was about $300 for mine with a core.

 

[droptop73]

That's still WAY cheaper than a Rack & Pinion conversion!