WTB power steering gearbox 71-73

[mastercurt14]

Or how easy would it to be to rebuild mine? Its probably just the seals gone bad

 

[Hemikiller]

They're not hard, but you need an inch pound torque meter and lots of patience. The kits is about $20. You can get yours rebuilt, or a reman unit for a fair price.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1971,mustang,5.8l+351cid+v8,1132692,steering,steering+gear,7416

There's also a company that'll turn yours into a fast ratio unit, IIRC it's about $400.

 

[nailpounder]

Or how easy would it to be to rebuild mine? Its probably just the seals gone bad

check out oreillys rebuilt power steering gear  125$ + 35$ core  rebuild kit is about 40$  and you can find videos on line on how to rebuild it

 

[Bentworker]

They are not that bad to work on.  I have resealed and replaced the sector shaft bearing on a half dozen or so with good results.  You shouldn't have much trouble finding a used box on the forum, but most that folks will want to sell are fixed ratio.

In your search there are two different types of power steering boxes in the 71-73 (look the same but different guts).  One is a fixed ratio and the other is a variable ratio.  Depending on the year they were identified with a different code on the metal tag that should be secured under one of the sector shaft cap bolts.  

Here is a link to the decoder... http://www.stangerssite.com/steeringboxtagdecoder.html

I'll toss out my "rebuild" disclaimer.  The main casting is what it is.  I have heard of them being bored & sleeved if they are ultra rare, but 99.9% of "rebuilt" steering boxes have had absolutely no machine work done to them, nor oversize parts etc.  

The reseal kits with bearing are only about $30 on rock auto.  Does not take much to do one besides a couple torque wrenches and a home made socket you can make with parts from a junk steering box, an old socket and a welder.

I'd suggest tearing down what you have and then making the decision to reseal it, find a different core, or a "rebuild".

Here is a link to a lengthy thread with a bunch of pictures where I convert a box into quick ratio.  Worth a look to see what is inside one.

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-playing-with-steering-boxes-spa-s-fixed-ratio-spa-af-variable-ratio-firebird-12-7?highlight=12.7%3A1

What I look for in a casting...

1) No large scoring in the main bore.

2) No "stepped" wear on one side of the main bore.

3) No grooves deeper than .010" ish where the teflon seals go on the input side.

If you end up buying a used box see if you can sweet talk the seller into removing the cap and taking some photos of the bore before you commit.  You really can't judge the condition of one when it is together.

Good main bore example, not great but good enough.  No scoring deep enough to feel with a fingernail, no excessive one sided wear.



Here is an example of a casting I wouldn't use.  The input side of the casting has a large rough spot.  There are three teflon rings that must seal in this area, otherwise you will get some really goofy results (want to have power steering one way all the time?).  Sometimes the teflon seals will pick up enough abrasive junk that they will wear grooves into the casting.  If the grooves are deep find another casting.



Here is an example of a good used casting, you can see the three polished spots inside where the teflon rings ride.  It has some wear but does not have grooves.  This isn't a Mustang Saginaw box, but it is a good example