New Sway bars tells me I need a fast ratio steering

it is a reman box dont get me wrong but mine was nice and tight although it had a mounting ear that you could tell had been welded back on but it was the one that isnt used anyhow

 

The steering is pretty free and easy, not much resistance as some people might actually desire. My main goal was to cut my revolutions down from 10 billion turns lock to lock to about 2.5. :laugh:

This should be the one I ordered.

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?A=NSP88277060_0186414671&An=599001+101969+50012+2012020

 

That is a nicer price than I am paying.

I was kind of hoping it would have a firm feel like the grand national boxes. We shall see I guess.

 

the box i just put in is a little firmer than before but not super stiff i really enjoy cornering now

 

Does the box look anything like stock ?


DL

 

looked just like stock except the holes for the lines had little adapters in them (dont think they were adapters just extends out about 1/2") its what is listed as the oem replacement

 

The steering box from a 78 Z28 using the Skylark pitman arm should give you 2.5 or 2.6 turns lock to lock and bolt right in. The 79-81 Trans Am would have a firmer feel and should bolt in.

This FAQ from the 442 Message Boards pretty much cover the swap completely.

 

I read somewhere that the f-body steering boxes have a shorter sweep and you loose turning radius if you use them.

 

There's a section in the FAQ called "F-body Box:" that addresses the internal stops.

The internals from these fast-ratio gearboxes can be swapped into the steering gear from your car, converting it to fast-ratio steering. This looks like a fairly complex job. For some information on gearbox swaps go to Jim's Muscle Car Page http://members.home.net/jimmy4 and follow the link for Steering Gear Swap Info. The end cap on the steering gear controls the the internal stops that limit total travel of the steering arm, so by using your stock steering gear endcap and housing along with the fast-ratio internals your turning radius will be the same as before.

I know I've read several articles written in the 80's regarding this kinda swap, during the "Mulholland Drive" canyon carver days when wide tires sat under fiberglass fender flares and Camaros had whale tail spoilers, L-88 Hood scoops and pavement scraping air dams. If you said "G-Machine" back then someone would look at you and say "Whuh?"

 

The AutoZone/Atsco part # 6563 fast steering box is installed. Everything went smooth as silk. A direct bolt in. The box works perfect and is nice and tight.

The car drives very nice. The new fast steer just "feels right". I can't imagine why they ever put anything else in.

With these boxes out there, I can't imagine spending all the money for the conversion boxes or all the time with special fittings and rag joints to put the G-Body boxes in.

I am giving the auto parts store fast steering box a big thumbs up!:TU:

 

I've been thinking of doing the swap. I replaced the seals on my PS unit last year but I think it's starting to drip again, and swapping the seals on the pitman shaft was a pain in the ass. I've actually got a spare steering box in excellent condition but I figure if I'm going to tear it apart I may as well put in the quick ratio box

Here's the specs on the Carquest part:

Part Number 27-6509
Gear Pitman Shaft Spline Counts 13/16
Steering Gear Box Input Shaft Diameter 1.25
Steering Gear Box Output Shaft Diameter 4
Number Steering Gear Box Turns 2 1/2 - 3
PS Gear Box Line Thread Size 11/16x18; 5/8x18

2-1/2 to 3 turns seems ideal.

 

69 up a bodies have quicker boxes than pre 69 its under 3 turns to lock

66 is like 4 hours to lock

 

What year vehicle did you use for your search? When I used the part # 6563, they don't have a listing for that #. Thanks

 

I put a GN box in mine because they were plentiful, I needed a new rag joint and I needed new hoses, too! I was going to spend the same amount one way or another. I was unaware that the Chevelles had a quicker box than any other GM A-body but then again, I'm not a Chevelle guy.

 

This information is listed in a previous post:
http://www.v8buick.com/showpost.php?p=1660932&postcount=17