Where is a good place to get a replacement power steering box for my 71? Is it best to stay with the stock steering ratio or go with something quicker? Thanks.
Use the search function. Seems like Jim Weise had a part number for a Chevelle SS Saginaw steering box that was quick ratio and priced reasonable from Napa.
I'm old school so I wrote the part number down when Jim posted it, PS391073. If this link works you can see NAPA says it is 2.5-3 turns lock to lock. http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/R...k=Keyword&Nty=1&Dn=0&D=ps391073&Dk=1&Dp=3&N=0 Mike
carhex1 sells rebuilt quick-ratio power steering boxes for a very reasonable price. Also, Hector is great to deal with.
That one looks interesting. It is cheaper than the Lares 972 at Rock Auto. I also found one at Advance Auto that lists as fitting a Chevelle that is 2.3 - 2.6 turns lock to lock. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/cardone-power-steering-gear-remanufactured-27-6509/3791459-P?searchTerm=power+steering+gear#fragment-2
I bought that NAPA box this summer. It is no longer the quick ratio. I tested it on my bench with pointers and protractors on the input and output and the ratio and travel were not what i was looking for. So I returned it
Gentlemen, I have found the holy grail of steering boxes! Me and a buddy just installed the Advance Auto box listed here: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/.../3791459-P?searchTerm=steering+box#fragment-2 It is 2.5-ish turns lock to lock, hits the steering arm stops on the control arm and feels great! Best of all, after coupons, free shipping and local core return, it was less than $100 and the store rents a pitman arm puller and the big socket to remove the pitman arm nut! So far it has been about a dozen miles and no leaks nor slop in the steering! I'm loving it. My buddy is going to order one for his car!
Greg, Could you give some info on how the steering feels with the Chevelle box. Is it still the same far to easy to turn feeling as the Buick box or does it feel tighter. Just wondering because I might use this box or do the Grand Cherokee box swap. I just don't like how the stock box needs 1/2 of my pinky finger to turn.
I have one of each and both are just over 2.5 turns lock-to-lock, less than 2 3/4 but more than 2.5 and both hit the stops on the back of the steering arm so there is not reduced turning radius on that account. My 70 has the 87 GN FE3 option steering box I installed several years ago so I've had a long time with this one. My 71 now has the one above that shows for the 70 Chevelle SS 454 quick ratio. If you drive them back to back, the 70 definitely has a firm feel with higher effort. The 71 has a firm feel but lower effort than the 70 box. But due to the quicker ratio, it is a bit more effort than the original 3.5 turn lock-to-lock box it replaced. If you drove them back to back, you'd see that either is a great option but the 70 SS Chevelle quick ratio is a lot less work. You don't need made up hoses, a different rag joint nor adapters for the fittings that are hard to come by now that Lee has gone out of business. Heck, if you want the firmer feel of the 87 GN FE3 box, I'll sell you the steering box with the hose adapters already installed and the adapter rag joint for just the cost of the Chevelle reman box! Shipping will be the only extra cost.
Thanks for the insight Greg. Another advantage is my local store's price on the Chevelle box is $88.00 after core return, and they have 2 in stock. Can't hardly beat that.
Wow, is that an Advance Auto or some other store? That's an outstanding deal if it's the quick ratio one.
It's my local Carguest, owned by Advance. Turns out the newby counter guy quoted the price wrong, he took the core price off the list price which is based on having a returned core. Would have been $133.00 but since I buy a lot of parts there they honored his screw up. Part number is for the fast ratio chevelle box so we shall see.
OK, so it was a one-off screw up deal. Good deal none the less. Are they going to give you the core charge or are you going to even return one?
Sorry I missed the question. The box I bought has 4 bolt holes just like my old stock box. My car only has 3 of the holes drilled so it doesn't use all 4. It seems to have the same stops and turning radius as the original. I got it thru Carguest. My buddy just ordered one for his Chevelle from Rockauto.com that one only has 3 bolts. It'll be interesting to see if they feel/perform the same.
