[22GT]

I dont like the feel of these archaic steering box setups, and i feel that my car is being held back. If I had a quick ratio power steering setup, that would be fine..but in all reality, it still doesnt compare to a rack setup.

Factory power steering was always quick ratio, even on 6 cylinder cars.

 

[22GT]

I had a 70 convert 30 years ago with p/s. Replaced everything offered at that time. That thing always leaked at some point, not to mention wandered all over the road. Never again. Manual TCP rack, zero slop and no leaks, no idler or center links to deal with. But, if your old system works for you and your happy that's great. That also probably means you never drove one with R&P.

My Thunderbird SC had speed-sensing power rack. I never got the slightest urge to hack up my 66 for R&P conversion.

If you replaced 'everything' and your 70 PS still leaked, I'm wondering- Ford hoses or NAPA? Did you replace the tube seats? I'd bet $1 that you didn't put the band clamp around the valve body when you were done. A tiny but fatal mistake.

I've done a lot of these, and although my personal car is manual, I have no problem with the Ford/Bendix steering. When I assemble them, they don't leak.

 

[slim]

I don't understand the leaking thing! In 62 I bought my first vert. 56 Ford Sunliner. 312, automatic with power steering. PS never leaked, automatic never repaired. In 70 put a track built 312, stick OD and 3.90 rear in. Blew the engine in 75, the PS still fine, no leak, never repaired!.1975 bought 70 Torino vert power steering, never repaired (TMK) no leak. 77 bought my current 68 Stang vert. PS etc. No repairs on PS, no leak ever! Junked the 70 Torino vert in 90, it was collapsing from rust, PS was still great, no slop, no leak!

Slim

 

[hitek14]

My Thunderbird SC had speed-sensing power rack. I never got the slightest urge to hack up my 66 for R&P conversion.

If you replaced 'everything' and your 70 PS still leaked, I'm wondering- Ford hoses or NAPA? Did you replace the tube seats? I'd bet $1 that you didn't put the band clamp around the valve body when you were done. A tiny but fatal mistake.

I've done a lot of these, and although my personal car is manual, I have no problem with the Ford/Bendix steering. When I assemble them, they don't leak.

You may be right, of course that was 25 years ago. It just seamed very bulky under the car and the hoses were impossible to get up and out of the way. Again that was along time ago and I'd rather at this point after a full resto and a ton of cash put in some up to date steering components as I don't feel like laying under the car and throwing out stay dry on the drips. Too old for that.

 

[50 Proof]

after pricing out various options, a fully rebuilt oem power steering box setup will cost as much a s a manual rack conversion, which at that poiny you may as well jusy oick up a power r&p setup.


Thr dead center that you get with steering boxes is precisely why I will never spend any amount of money on that garbage. It kills all enjoyment in spirited driving. BTW nascar still uses carbs too and they're also losing popularity hand over fist.

Despite how old a r&p setup may be, there's a reason why modern cars, modern pony cars, sports cars, etc ditched the steering boxes decades ago.

 

[v8only]

Even with the crown vic...whos design was almost the same for decades switched out the steering box in 2003 for a rack and pinion setup..with no body or interior changes....in an effort to keep up with modern demands for our police officers...like it or not, the steering box has no place in an otherwise heavily updated classic imo

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[slim]

after pricing out various options, a fully rebuilt oem power steering box setup will cost as much a s a manual rack conversion, which at that poiny you may as well jusy oick up a power r&p setup.


Thr dead center that you get with steering boxes is precisely why I will never spend any amount of money on that garbage. It kills all enjoyment in spirited driving. BTW nascar still uses carbs too and they're also losing popularity hand over fist.

Despite how old a r&p setup may be, there's a reason why modern cars, modern pony cars, sports cars, etc ditched the steering boxes decades ago.

So you would say NASCAR is losing popularity because they still use carbs and old fashioned steering?

 

[hitek14]

Nascar is fuel injected now, Obamas epa was all over that.

 

[50 Proof]

So you would say NASCAR is losing popularity because they still use carbs and old fashioned steering?

I can't prove that any more than you can disprove it

 

[Woodchuck]

I can't prove that any more than you can disprove it

It's actually quite true. While nothing is quite as efficient as a carburetor at full throttle, the Cup cars were heavy hydrocarbon polluters at idle, part and off-throttle positions. EFI addresses this.

 

[50 Proof]

just curious, what exactly do you mean by "dead center"? never heard that term used before regarding steering.

That feeling when you're driving down the road and you have about an inch of play to the left and right before the wheels actually start turning. You don't get that in r&p steering.

 

[supershifter2]

That feeling when you're driving down the road and you have about an inch of play to the left and right before the wheels actually start turning. You don't get that in r&p steering.

something is woe out. your steering box needs adjusting. it could be a variable ratio box like the nascar guys use. at 200 mph you want a little bit of steering wheel movement before the car moves so you dont fly off the track if you get bumped and you hands move.

 

[v8only]

No...steering boxes have that slight amount of play..its not excessive..its minor, but its there...a rack has absolutely 0 slack

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[supershifter2]

No...steering boxes have that slight amount of play..its not excessive..its minor, but its there...a rack has absolutely 0 slack

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my 14:1 Sweet box didnt have any play. took getting use to.

 

[v8only]

14 to 1.eh? Gotta link?

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[50 Proof]

something is woe out. your steering box needs adjusting. it could be a variable ratio box like the nascar guys use. at 200 mph you want a little bit of steering wheel movement before the car moves so you dont fly off the track if you get bumped and you hands move.

I've tried researching if its possible to uave a steering box without that inch of play and everything I've read has indicated that its simply characteristic of the way steering boxes are designed.

Every vintage mustang I've driven, even ones with rebuilt boxes, have all had that play up top.

I've been trying to decide which r&p setup to go with and all research points to the tcp setup being the one to go with since it was designed and built for a vintage mustang. $3k is a tough pill to swallow though.

Seriously, I'm looking for reasons to stay with a steering box. The problem is if I spend upwards of a grand for all the right parts and I still have that slop up top I'll be disappointed. I'd rather go with a jcar rack than have a steering setup with a dead center.

 

[supershifter2]

14 to 1.eh? Gotta link?

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Sweet Mfg built them. the 65-up Saginaw box. i was going to adapt it to my 65 mustang but Borgeson came out with their box insted. Sweet doesnt have anymore rear steer boxes now that nascar went to front steer but is the same box used on 71-73 mustangs/cougars and other cars with a 14:1 ratio. they also did 12:1 , 16:1 and 16:1 variable like the stock ford box has and the nascar guys like. my wagom is what i put the 14:1 box on and it was very precise and no slack and was almost too quick when driving over 120 mph, no sudden moves of the wheel or else.

p.s. a guy on the torino forum put one of these boxes on his 68 torino.

 

[supershifter2]

I've tried researching if its possible to uave a steering box without that inch of play and everything I've read has indicated that its simply characteristic of the way steering boxes are designed.

Every vintage mustang I've driven, even ones with rebuilt boxes, have all had that play up top.

I've been trying to decide which r&p setup to go with and all research points to the tcp setup being the one to go with since it was designed and built for a vintage mustang. $3k is a tough pill to swallow though.

Seriously, I'm looking for reasons to stay with a steering box. The problem is if I spend upwards of a grand for all the right parts and I still have that slop up top I'll be disappointed. I'd rather go with a jcar rack than have a steering setup with a dead center.

rebuilt boxes will probably have play in the center because thats where all the wear takes place. an new worm shaft and new set of balls cures that but rebuilding companies dont put new ones in. when i rebuild the box in my f350 i am going to buy a new worm shaft and balls from ford and do it myself and the box will be tight like new.

 

[50 Proof]

This is 100% incorrect. Unfortunately what you read is incorrect.



this is because it is not possible to "rebuild" any steering box simply because replacement gears are not available and if the gears are worn like they most always are on center it will always have play on cenyter irregardless of what any rebuilder in the world tells you. It's basic engineering principals. the gears are round/concentric etc when new not eliptical.



because a new quality made one will not have any play.

x

Thank you for your input. I am strongly considering your advice. If I can find the right quick ratio box and it has zero play I would be highly interested.

 

[Woodchuck]

Thank you for your input. I am strongly considering your advice. If I can find the right quick ratio box and it has zero play I would be highly interested.

Look up VMF-er Chockostang. He's got a good reputation at providing quality rebuilds on these boxes.