Time to replace steering box
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Time to replace steering box
My question is if I get a rebuilt steering box for my 74 from some place like Ikerd's in Indiana am I going to be happy with the tightness of the steering? I can't remember if the older cars had a half decent steering capacity when new or not. Ant thoughts on that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
with EVERYTHING new, the steering should be nice and tight and have a great feel to it.
make sure you don't have anything else worn out in the front.
I would look at the Borgeson box as an option also
make sure you don't have anything else worn out in the front.
I would look at the Borgeson box as an option also
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Driving with loose steering is no fun. You can adjust or rebuild a manual box easily......a P/S box would be more complicated, but do-able.
OR.......
After spending 10 minutes max., to adjust it---and it is still "sloppy"..... like the members suggested/repair loose suspension parts before buying a box------then buy a new box if steering is still sloppy and you plan on keeping the car.
I spent $100 replacing worn parts, then adjusted my box....now I don't need a new one!
OR.......
After spending 10 minutes max., to adjust it---and it is still "sloppy"..... like the members suggested/repair loose suspension parts before buying a box------then buy a new box if steering is still sloppy and you plan on keeping the car.
I spent $100 replacing worn parts, then adjusted my box....now I don't need a new one!
Last edited by doorgunner; Jun 10, 2014 at 01:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Yes everything is new except the steering box. I've been dragging my feet on replacing it until now but wonder if I will be happy with a stock replacement. My everyday driver car is very tight and I may have got spoiled with how it handles. My Vette is getting a little too sloppy on the freeway. Thanks for the recommendations on this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
You will be more than satisfied for sure.............Tom
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Driving with loose steering is no fun. You can adjust or rebuild a manual box easily......a P/S box would be more complicated, but do-able.
OR.......
After spending 10 minutes max., to adjust it---and it is still "sloppy"..... like the members suggested/repair loose suspension parts before buying a box------then buy a new box if steering is still sloppy and you plan on keeping the car.
I spent $100 replacing worn parts, then adjusted my box....now I don't need a new one!
OR.......
After spending 10 minutes max., to adjust it---and it is still "sloppy"..... like the members suggested/repair loose suspension parts before buying a box------then buy a new box if steering is still sloppy and you plan on keeping the car.
I spent $100 replacing worn parts, then adjusted my box....now I don't need a new one!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
All I can say that if you intend on keeping the original steering system, Gary is the man for the job. He has rebuilt the boxes on my 74 & 82, and they are great. If you need more info or contact info, send me a PM.
You will be more than satisfied for sure.............Tom
You will be more than satisfied for sure.............Tom
PM me is you need his email.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Gary does a fantastic job rebuilding the stock box. That being said even with everything new that design steering system is actually older than the C3. It works very well but is an old design. If you want stock this is the way to go. If you want to step up to modern stuff and NCRS is not your bag the Borgeson and Steeroids is a much better modern system.i have installed many of these and have to say they both perform very well and the steering response is great. Take your pick
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Gary does a fantastic job rebuilding the stock box. That being said even with everything new that design steering system is actually older than the C3. It works very well but is an old design. If you want stock this is the way to go. If you want to step up to modern stuff and NCRS is not your bag the Borgeson and Steeroids is a much better modern system.i have installed many of these and have to say they both perform very well and the steering response is great. Take your pick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Steering Gear Inspection
Here is a tip. Look at the top cover on your steering gear. There is a screw and a locknut sticking straight up at you. There should be at least three threads on the screw exposed above the locknut. Less than three threads and the gear box has been adjusted previously and there is no more adjustment available. Your gear requires new internal parts. Off to Gary is your next step.
Jim
Jim
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Here is a tip. Look at the top cover on your steering gear. There is a screw and a locknut sticking straight up at you. There should be at least three threads on the screw exposed above the locknut. Less than three threads and the gear box has been adjusted previously and there is no more adjustment available. Your gear requires new internal parts. Off to Gary is your next step.
Jim
Jim
Thanks Jim & members.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Here is a tip. Look at the top cover on your steering gear. There is a screw and a locknut sticking straight up at you. There should be at least three threads on the screw exposed above the locknut. Less than three threads and the gear box has been adjusted previously and there is no more adjustment available. Your gear requires new internal parts. Off to Gary is your next step.
Jim
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Lets face facts, in some 40 years since these cars were built, there has been one HELL of a change in tire construction, and so it depends more on what you are doing with your wheels/tires.....keep the old garbage or go with at least 17x9.5 like the C4 wheels I adapted to my '72......all handling starts where the rubber meets the road.....
after that, the suspension....another topic entirely....look for threads on that one
then the cross support between the spring towers in front.....threads there too.....
after that all is settled and the steering is tight, you need to look into the box/changes/upgrades......
after that, the suspension....another topic entirely....look for threads on that one
then the cross support between the spring towers in front.....threads there too.....
after that all is settled and the steering is tight, you need to look into the box/changes/upgrades......
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Last year or so I had all new tires and alignment. They talked about a lash adjustment (I don't know if they did it right) but it had a slight pull to the left afterward and showed no slack. Now there is no pull to the left but it has about an inch plus play on the steering wheel that is the smaller 1978-82 size.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
I tried to adjust out the slop/dead spot in my 69 but was unable. I crawled underneath and found that when my wife wiggled the wheel the lower shaft just above the pitman arm was moving in the lower steering box bearing causing the dead spot with about an inch and a half play in the wheel.
Pulled the box and rebuilt it.
Pulled the box and rebuilt it.