I have a small bit of play in the original steering box, (91,200 miles), which causes the car to drift a bit on the highway. The car (69 442 convertible), is a frame on rebuild and all of the front end steering components have been replaced. I can have the steering box rebuilt locally for $125, with the original slow ratio. Or, ship the box, out of state, for a quick ratio 12/1 rebuild. Around $400. Any comments from those of you who have replaced the steering box would be appreciated. Is the quick ratio worth the cost?

 

I changed my '68 to a quick ratio 3 years ago.....love it. Big difference in road "feel". Crisper response. Unless you're worried about keeping your original box(for restoration purposes) Summit(and others) sell them outright, with no core charge for less than $400 IIRC. You can keep your original box for use later if you want.


Greg

 

Or you could spend $50 or less at a junkyard for a '93-'98 Jeep Grand Cherokee box - Worked great for me!

- Eric

 

Rebuild is thoroughly covered in the CSM. Why not tackle it yourself?

 

Power Steering Services, fast ratio conversion. Had this done years ago to a p/s box, got rid of all the play and it works flawlessly. No more wander, just a much MUCH better feel now. You would also need to include the p/s pump/reservoir with the box for the rebuild of the matched components.

 

I did the Jeep conversion like Eric stated on my 72 S. If I had a 442 I would have the original box rebuilt. I'm sure there are subtle visual differences on the boxes. If I'm doing a detailed resto then those differences would bother me. Good luck with either choice. It makes a huge difference.

Matt

 

Eric,

I'm all for a lower cost mod that produces a good result.
Does the Jeep box get you a quicker ratio?
What needs to be swapped or modified in addition to the box?

George

 

I went to Pep Boys and bought a reman Grand Cherokee box for around $100. I then took it to Lee Powersteering http://lee-powersteering.com/ and had the stock shaft put into the new one so I could use the stock rag joint. It was the best thing I have done. I love it! highly recommend it! I love how it feels!

Did
I mention I love it?

Craig

 

I would strongly recommend reading the thread I linked to, as I and several others posted a great deal of information there, which would answer all of your questions in detail.

Basically:

The JGC box gives you a quicker ratio and better steering feel - it makes the steering feel roughly like a "modern" car.

You need to:
change the box,
swap your Pitman arm onto it,
use a different rag joint because the input shafts are different sizes (either one from an late '70s-'80s "square" GM truck, or a new one, I gave the part numbers in the thread),
and adapt the lines -
you can either use a pressure line from a newer car (which will match the new box's fitting) and use the relief valve from the newer car you removed the line from (it's the hex on the back of the pump that the pressure line screws into, and will screw into any pump),
or you can get little adapter slugs from Lee Steering (they sell a pair for $20) and use your original line.
You can use the adapter slug for your original return line, too, or you can buy a new length of return hose and a fitting to attach it to the steering box, and just make a new one (it attaches with hose clamps).
If you spend a few bucks at NAPA for a fitting and some hose, you can have a leftover adapter slug, which you can use to convert your other car, once you realize how much you like the conversion.

- Eric

 

I recommend the quick ratio box, I have one on my car as described above better response and modern feel, as well as eliminating the play that was in the original gear.

I have the lares quick ratio box from rock auto. Bolts right in uses the same hoses and comes w the rag joint. Has a 1 year warranty and is rebuilt/ manufactured in the US. I had some questions on mine and I talked to a lares employee who was very helpful. Cost about $200.

Just look up your make and model at rockauto and see what they have availible.

 

Eric,

I apologize I didn't recognize that as a link. It looked like another "rollover" pop up ad.
I would have went right there and not asked the question.
I don't care for people who won't bother to do research and want to be spoon fed.
Thank you for your response.

George

 

That's okay. Get AdBlock Plus and you'll never see those darned things. I completely forgot about them.

- Eric

 

Or you can try Rockauto.