steering box

What is your turn-to-turn count and how do you like the feel of that box?

 

I would say it's almost 2 3/4 lock to lock. To be honest I'd like the box to felt a little stiffer. The new one is better than the original, but it does still have that old car feel, I was hoing for a better feel. The box my buddy ordered is supposed to be similar to the feel of the ws6 cars from the 80's and 90's. I'm interested to see if I like that one any better.

 

Hi Hector - Do you rebuild them or just resell?

- Bill

 

He pulls the cores from parts cars he buys, the scrap yard, or cores that people turn in that are buying rebuilds from him and then has a local guy he trusts rebuild them and then he resells them. Awesome guy to deal with. He has a few videos on YouTube of one being rebuilt by the guy he uses I believe.

 

Are you dissatisfied with the fact it is one-finger easy to turn or you feel there is slack in the front end? My 87 GN quick ratio in my 70 Stage1 is tight as in it takes 2 or 3 fingers to comfortably turn the wheel but I also have a 14" wheel on it. The 71 GS has the Chevelle SS quick ratio and it feels much easier, one finger from lock to lock.

The thing that really snugged up my steering feel was new lower ball joints (mine were worn) and a new drag link and idler arm. If you have all new parts, you can try snugging up the box. They may have left it a little loose.

The center allen hex with a jamb nut on the top of the cover of the gear box is where you can adjust that a little tighter. With the car off, steering unlocked, adjust the allen bolt down very little at a time, like an 1/8 of a turn, and test it with the wheels in the air. Turn it lock to lock and make sure it doesn't have any hard spots before you lock it down and test drive.

 

Yeah it's the one finger easy turning that I'm not happy with. My car has a 15 inch sport wheel so the added leverage might make quite a difference. My steering components have all been replaced so that's not it. I'll see if I can snug the box up a little. I'm trying to make my car more fun to drive without spending megabucks on a complete suspension. If it means spending a couple hundred more to get the feel and ratio I want, that's ok.
I should also mention that I've spent a lot of time driving manual steering and brake cars so my idea of light and easy may differ from others, I'm also not a small guy either so.......

Thanks for the reminder on adjusting the box Greg

 

If you come to Bowling Green in September for the GS Nats, I'll let you try both of my cars so you can get a feel for them. I do believe the 87 GN box is higher effort than the 70 Chevelle even though they are same turns lock to lock. The GN box does require changing rag joint and hoses or hose adapters.

 

Thanks - Are they modified for quicker ratios?

 

Can I please buy the core from you for 45 and I will pay shipping? The core you are returning is a better core with the 4 mounting holes. hector 626 488 5472

 

I think they might have given you the good 4 bolt box on the mix up deal.

Hector

 

we rebuild them bench test them adjust them and leak test them check out the 4 videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJskKlfLI10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDvD3OuGaFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_plJ561sN-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hpLF3V8jEw

Hector 626 488 5472

 

if they are not factory quick ratio. I do convert them to a 12.7.1 ratio

Hector

 

Thanks Hector! Last questions: If I send you mine, can you rebuild it and send it back? If yes, how long would you need it?

- Bill

 

When you rebuild them do you change the torsion bar to change the feel, or is that an option?

 

Would you have a rebuilt or quicker ratio steering box for a 1975 LeSabre vert?

 

You guys that switched to a fast ratio box - did you have to change or upgrade your pump?

 

I try to ship them out the same day I get them in. with priority mail it takes 2 to 3 days max to get to me. the day it gets to me thanks to my mail lady that drops them off first thing in the am. I have them rebuilt and they go out the same day. rarely but some times the next day. Than it takes two to 3 days to get back to you. Hector

 

no need to do that. Hector

 

I need to see which box it uses. but that should be a factory quick ratio box. I can rebuild it for sure, but would have to see on the fast ratio upgrade.

Hector