Steering box question

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Refresh my memory.....is is necessary to remove the steering column to replace the P/S box?

took mine out about 5 years ago and cant remember if I did.

Would like to avoid the hassle if possible.

2nd gen by the way

[Shakey]

Did mine a few weeks back and everything (steering column) needed to be unbolted and loosened up to make it easier to remove the steering gear.  I took it right out and cleaned it up and painted it, the gear and the column.

[8WHEELER]

You should not have to take the column out, the last two boxes I did I just made the column
loose and down just a bit and the took the coupler apart and then the box came out fine.
And on one of them I left the box bolted to the K-Frame and dropped the K-Frame and
box still bolted up so that was easy.

Dan

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Thanks guys.   What I figured.  looking to avoid "breaking paint" on the column as I have already restored it

[694spdRT]

You should not have to take the column out, the last two boxes I did I just made the column
loose and down just a bit and the took the coupler apart and then the box came out fine.
And on one of them I left the box bolted to the K-Frame and dropped the K-Frame and
box still bolted up so that was easy.

Dan

That is how I did mine after the one in the car failed.

[4402tuff4u]

What are the syptoms of a worn out steering box? I have my still in the car and now I that the car apart and it's being worked on, I'm wondering if I should have the box rebuilt.

[Chryco Psycho]

if the box is leaking or it has a lot of play before responding it is worn

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

My rebuilt box from Steer & Gear has leaking profusely from the pitman arm seal that has been changed 4 times.  1st time it lasted 1 and 1/2 years...second time it lasted 1 year.... third time it lasted 2 weeks..... 4th time it lasted 15 mins.
Couldnt stand the constant drip anymore staining my driveway and buggin up my nice undercarriage....

[4402tuff4u]

Mine is not dripping, but it does have some play. I think next week I'll go to the body shop and take it out and drop it off for rebuilt. Now is the time when everything is off and easy to get at. My luck everything will be nice and painted and the first ride I take on it she'll start to drip! There is a place out here in Farmingdale that rebuilds gear boxes. Thanks.

[General Ryan]

Mine has been slowly leaking for a long time and I'm thinking of calling "FirmFeel" for one of their boxes or rebuilding mine and adding a Howe steering quickener to reduce the lock to lock from roughly 3:1 to about 2:1.

Any opinions, anyone use a "Howe steering quickener"?

Don't mean to hikack, but it may be beneficial to all of us here with a leaky box

[8WHEELER]

Never heard of the "Howe steering quickener", I used the longer fast ratio pitman arm and idler arm
from Firm Feel, Works great and does make a big difference. Most people don't seem to like the
fast ratio don't know why you do have to be more carefull at full lock as the longer arms put
more pressure on the box thats why the factory fast ratio boxes came with bump stops in the box
itself like on the AAR Cuda's and the TA Challengers.

Dan

[General Ryan]

Never heard of the "Howe steering quickener"

http://www.stockcarproducts.com/steer4.htm

[andy74]

mine just started to leak in the 72,i can get a rebuilt from advance for about 150 bucks-looks like i will have no shortage of winter projects this year,dont want another baby yet!

[Ghoste]

If you get the Firm Feel fast ratio setup, does it have the TA bump stops?

[8WHEELER]

If you get the Firm Feel fast ratio setup, does it have the TA bump stops?

NO, he says just to be carefull not to crank it to the end of the boxes travel, he told me if I do
this and don't make the pump squeal I will be fine, 4yrs later and everything is great.

Dan