Steering Box Upgrade - Power Steering

Steering Box Upgrade Steering Box Repair

Depending on the year of the car, this swap will require modifying the steering column flange where it connects to the coupler. The best thing to do is remove the column from the car and widen the smaller of the two drive-pin notches with a die grinder about 0.070 inch. Then test-fit the flange to the coupler and determine which bolthole needs to be drilled out with a 3/8-inch drill bit.

Depending on the year of the car, this swap will require modifying the steering column fla

It's also important to explain what each of these columns represents. The body style and year columns are obvious. The code is the ink stamp found on the end of the aluminum end cover that is often very difficult if not impossible to read. Ratio refers to the number of degrees of movement of the steering wheel that will produce a 1-degree rotation of the output shaft. With a 12.7:1 gear ratio, for example, moving the steering wheel 12.7 degrees equals one degree of rotation of the output shaft. The lower the ratio number, the quicker the output shaft moves, and the quicker the steering. Keep in mind this steering gear ratio is also affected by the length of the pitman arm and steering arms located on each spindle, creating an overall steering ratio. This overall ratio is often slower than the ratio in the box. The effort and T-bar columns give a good indication as to how much effort it will take to steer your car. The larger the T-bar diameter, the higher the effort to obtain power assist. The effort column refers to a laboratory test where hydraulic oil is circulated through the gear and a torque (in-lb) determined to create a specific amount of assist pressure. Even a 5 in-lb difference in effort is noticeable. Higher effort boxes are generally accepted as performance-oriented boxes. The total travel column indicates the distance the pitman arm sweeps from full lock to full lock and is expressed in degrees and minutes (60 minutes in one degree). This is an important measurement when it comes to swapping boxes between different body styles.

SAGINAW POWER STEERING BOXES
BODY STYLE	YEAR	CODE	RATIO	EFFORT	T-BAR	TOTAL TRAVEL
Monte Carlo SS	’85 to ’88	YA	12.7:1	24-30	0.204	78 degrees 30 minutes
Fullsize Chevy F-41	'88 to '90	WZ	12.7:1	20-26	0.195	87 degrees
Fullsize Chevy F-41	'91 to '94	CP	12.7:1	17-22	0.185	87 degrees
Fullsize Chevy F-41	'95	CT	12.7:1	19-22	0.185	87 degrees
Camaro/Firebird	’82 to ’93	WS	12.7:1	24-30	0.185	70 degrees
Camaro with FE2	’85 to ’93	XH	12.7:1	28-34	0.210	64 degrees
Camaro	’67	--	17.5:1	15-21	0.175	87 degrees
Camaro	’68 to ’81	--	VR*	14-22	0.175	67 degrees
Chevelle	’66	--	17.5:1	15-21	0.175	87 degrees

*Most Camaros in these years had variable ratio gears (16:1 on center, 13:1 near full lock); '79 to '81 Z28s had 14:1 ratio gears.

It's also worth mentioning that regardless of which steering box you use, always reuse the car's pitman arm. Changing the length of the pitman arm drastically affects bumpsteer, which is why reusing your original pitman arm is essential
It's also worth mentioning that regardless of which steering box you use, always reuse the
Lee Manufacturing makes these slick aluminum inserts that are easily pressed into the metric O-ring female fittings on a later-model fast steering box to allow you to use original inverted flare power steering fittings. The small aluminum drive pin is used to lightly hammer in the insert.
Lee Manufacturing makes these slick aluminum inserts that are easily pressed into the metr
If you prefer to use AN fittings and lines, Earl's makes steel O-ring fittings that are designed to seal the box and allow the use of -6 hose. Of course, you could also use Lee's inverted flare inserts and then use inverted flare-to-AN steel fittings.
If you prefer to use AN fittings and lines, Earl's makes steel O-ring fittings that are de