Power Steering box Restoration.

[PatrickPeeters]

Has anyone experience how to rebuild the power steering from a 1968 Charger?
Is it hard to do?
Don't know if I should take it apart and rebuild it myself or buy a rebuild one?

Thanks Patrick

[Chatt69chgr]

I surfed aroung on the net wondering about this same thing.  I found a article that I think was in Mopar Muscle Magazine on what is involved in rebuilding these.  It was by Steer and Gear which offers this service.  From what I saw, you do not want to attempt this.  There is more to it than just replacing seals.  I decided to let Firm Feel do mine.  They recommended that I go with the 73 and up box since it has the larger sector shaft and they said was less prone to leaks.  I sent them my small sector box and they exchanged it for a large sector.  I don't know if they still do this or not.  The article I read said that on the large sector boxes, the sector is metal to metal.  So they machine and place in a bearing on this surface.  They also said that when rebuilding these, you have to choose the best size ball bearing to use.  They have about 10 bins they pick from and use the ones that give the best fit no matter what is in your original box.  Then they pressure test them to make sure they are ok.  So I would consider having the box rebuilt by either Steer and Gear or Firm Feel.  See if either have a deal with a shipping company to get your box to them.  For that matter, doesn't the post office now have a "if it fits it ships" deal.  I think the box would fit in one of their three sizes of boxes.  They are going to get a big surprise when they find out what it weighs.

[PatrickPeeters]

Thanks probably gonna buy a rebuild one......and try it to fix this one for FUN.
Someone told me that there are a lot of parts in there?

[elacruze]

Thanks probably gonna buy a rebuild one......and try it to fix this one for FUN.
Someone told me that there are a lot of parts in there?

There are two things I've taken apart in my life that I had no inclination to put back together, nor to attempt again.

1. TH400 Automatic transmission
2. Power steering box.

Lots of people do them, but I'm not one of them.

[Mike DC]

     
1.  Look into tightening up the factory steering box before you do anything else too involved.  There's an adjustment procedure and it's not very difficult.

2.  Look into increasing the caster alignment in the front suspension.  (Either get aftermarket UCAs or else there are offset balljoints for a smaller gain.)  This has a lot to do with the "wandering" feeling in the steering that often makes people want to mess with the steering box in the first place. 

   

[PatrickPeeters]

The whole car is dissasembled right now.
All of the bushing, rods and so on will be replaced with stock replacements.
Better be safe then sorry, if I can get a replacement box for a reasonable price I rather spent a little more money and do it right.

Thanks for response.

[oldcarnut]

I replaced the bearings and seals in my 70.  Didn't seem to bad to do.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,67669.0.html

[Al]

I replaced the bearings and seals in my 70.  Didn't seem to bad to do.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,67669.0.html

I did exactly what oldcarnut showed in his thread and it worked out fine: no more leaks. Thanks!
Al

[PatrickPeeters]

Did you powdercoat all the stuff on 3d or 4th pic?

I replaced the bearings and seals in my 70.  Didn't seem to bad to do.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,67669.0.html

[oldcarnut]

Did you powdercoat all the stuff on 3d or 4th pic?

I replaced the bearings and seals in my 70.  Didn't seem to bad to do.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,67669.0.html

No, I just sprayed it with Rust oleum (Professional grade whatever that is) stainless steel paint bought at Lowes.

[PatrickPeeters]

Looks, good, going down that road also....