Steering Gear Box

[Heavy Metal]

As a "right of passage" with these mustangs, it's time to replace my steering gear box.

I contacted NPD National Parts Depot and the had a rebuilt unit in stock, with a $800.00 core charge.....not kidding.

The customer service rep mentioned that if you send your old box in first as a core, we will apply it to your order

so that that they will not charge my card  $800.00 and issue a credit.  I thought a Packing list on the box and another inside

would be sufficient.  FedEx said they delivered it on Monday morning……..NDP has checked

and they have not found it to date.  So as the blame game continues......I still need a gear box.

So I'm asking the 7173 community if there is a (reputable vendor ) you recommend to purchase a steering gear box.

As of now I don't have a core for the purchase.

Thank you for your assistance.

Heavy Metal

Florence, SC

 

[EdM]

I sent mine to Power Steering Services for a rebuild and conversion to their quick ratio (12.7:1) conversion. Not cheap but done right and a delight to drive. A new owner has taken over and his prices have gone up. I think I paid $375.

http://www.powersteering.com/

 

[red351]

I have done a few for myself. It's a learning experience.

 

[73pony]

I sent mine to Power Steering Services for a rebuild and conversion to their quick ratio (12.7:1) conversion. Not cheap but done right and a delight to drive. A new owner has taken over and his prices have gone up. I think I paid $375.

http://www.powersteering.com/

I did the same thing. So Happy!

 

[OMS]

As a "right of passage" with these mustangs, it's time to replace my steering gear box.

I contacted NPD National Parts Depot and the had a rebuilt unit in stock, with a $800.00 core charge.....not kidding.

The customer service rep mentioned that if you send your old box in first as a core, we will apply it to your order

so that that they will not charge my card  $800.00 and issue a credit.  I thought a Packing list on the box and another inside

would be sufficient.  FedEx said they delivered it on Monday morning……..NDP has checked

and they have not found it to date.  So as the blame game continues......I still need a gear box.

So I'm asking the 7173 community if there is a (reputable vendor ) you recommend to purchase a steering gear box.

As of now I don't have a core for the purchase.

Thank you for your assistance.

Heavy Metal

Florence, SC

Hopefully you paid fed ex for extra insurance

Contact fed ex and file a claim, so they can start a trace on it

They have to prove who they delivered to - plus usually when it is delivered to a business, someone signs for the shipment.

If you end up needing a core box I can come up with something reasonable

 

[SteveO_71]

I ended up sending mine to powersteering.com, a company that others have used, to be rebuilt, which doesnt do you any good at the moment.

The next best option is to get the core from OMS and use that to buy a remanufactured one. Possibly from the following:

https://www.carid.com/lares/remanufactured-power-steering-gear-box-mpn-806.html?singleid=1780577508&url=12629645#specifications

https://leepowersteering.com/products/saginaw-gearbox-ford-cars-1971-1973

https://www.carsteering.com/buynow/1971/Ford/Mustang/Power_Steering_Gear_Box/82-00357_R

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3023478&cc=1132692&jsn=9

 

[Heavy Metal]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for all the responses and suggestions.  I'm checking out your sites now.

And i'll give FEDEX & NPD another week to find my old gear box, and see if the claim & trace work.

I will stay in touch, and you guys are the best...….Thank you !!!

HVY MTL

Florence, SC

 

[Stanglover]

I'm not sure if you know this, but the Saginaw 800 PS boxes, or steering gear as some call them, are basically two ratios in our Mustangs. The stock ratio is 17.5:1 as found in coups, verts and fastbacks. Then there is the variable ratio with 16:1 to 13:1 usually found in Mach 1's or may have been an option on others.

 The tag if still there under (usually) the front sector shaft cover bolt, will be SPA-T or V for variable or SPA-S or U for standard. 73's after 1/2/73 are SPA- AC or AE  standard or SPA-AD or AF for variable. From what I found was most remanufactured PS boxes are standard ratio only unless you specifically order or have your variable rebuilt.

Another company that helped me when I was rebuilding my own SPA-T boxes, was Steer and Gear in Ohio www.steerandgear.com A small family business, but very helpful. 

There is a ton of video's on rebuilding these on the web, but vary in correctness and quality.

Search Bentworker's threads on rebuilding PS boxes. He is probably the best guy on the forum for good information. I also have posted threads on my own experiences rebuilding them

Hope you find your core soon. These are getting hard to find.

 

[Bentworker]

Everyone did a solid job of lining out your options.

If you want to go DIY- or see what is inside check this out.  Keep it in mind that the only “unicorn” piece of the box is the casting itself.  There are not that many out there compared to the millions that were made for GM cars.

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-playing-with-steering-boxes-spa-s-fixed-ratio-spa-af-variable-ratio-firebird-12-7

 

[Stanglover]

One more thing came to mind. If your car has a fixed steering column, you'll need to buy a new rag-joint i.e. coupler. The best one is the Lares 201 from Rock Auto. The "pins" are both the same size BUT are long enough to engage the slots in the column receiver plate. The Scott Drake offering is total crap and the pins are way too short to do anything. The factory rag- joint has different size pins, but that was just for quick line assemble, no other reason. The Lares 201 can only fit one way due  to the flat on the input shaft, you just need to make sure it's all centered before bolting it up.

Here's another link https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-saginaw-800-power-steering-box-rebuild Read #50 as I explain where the heck the pictures went!! I can add pictures here if needed.

 

[Galucha]

I just ordered a box from redhead. I know some folks on this forum have bought from them and had good experiences, so I figured i'd give it a try. I'll post how it works once it ships.

https://redheadsteeringgears.com/product/17500-3t-ford-mercury-passenger-w-181-ratio/

 

[Heavy Metal]

I thought I would finish this post.

My new steering box from Rock Auto leaked fluid from the input shaft from steering column at start up.

Very disappointed.  My core did show up at NPD in Ocala, FL which is amazing since they said they never received it in Charlotte, NC.

FEDEX was correct and NPD shipping dept doesn't have a clue.

So what did I do......re-installed my old steering box and with new hydraulic fittings...….good to go.

I spent 6 weeks fooling with this issue...…..glad I wasn't on the clock.

Thank you to everyone on here for your suggestions and help, its greatly appreciated.

HVY MTL

 

[jpaz]

That doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure the rock auto one wasn’t brand new. Just rebuilt with some new seals with old input shaft.

Glad it finally showed up and you got it back.

 

[Stanglover]

it would not be too hard to pull the input shaft and check or replace the seals, but of course you shouldn't have to. You may need to buy a complete service kit. Perhaps contact RockAuto to arrange a replacement, but shipping costs will be an issue

Bentworker or I can offer help if you decide to put new seal in.

 

[Hemikiller]

I'm sure Rock Auto would make good on the leaker. Contact them and I'll bet they will have a replacement unit to you in a couple days.

 

[NOT A T5]

GO FedEx!!