16:1 manual steering box

[dyates]

Hi everyone,does anyone know someone out there who can refurbish my steering box.It'a a 16:1 ratio version and the car feels light to steer as it is, and I don't want to do RRS or the like under it.I like the mechanical feel of manual steerSteering box is in a 1966 Fastback.

[GLENN 70]

If its a 16 to 1 box why is it light to steer .If there is a problem with the box how does that make it light .A 16 .1 ratio is very heavy without power steering .If the box has no problems redo the caster to a plus and a little more chamber .

[jaythefordman]

Shouldn't be too heavy in a 66 with stock or near stock width wheels, and radial friendly alignment specs.  The more caster the better.

I have a 16:1 manual steer setup in mine and its not too bad with crappy alignment and fat wheels, should be a vast improvement once I get that sorted.

[GLENN 70]

If its a 16 to 1 box it was most likely a power steering set up to start with as that ratio was rare in most mustangs . Has all the ram set up been changed to a manual drag link ,you can tell by the left hand tie rod as the power steering one has a bend in it  where the power head goes ,and does not have to be changed when converting to manual steering .

[dyates]

Will get under it on he weekend and have a look at the set up to be sure what I've got

[jaythefordman]

Yes, 16:1 is the power steer ratio, and also as I understand the manual ratio on some Shelbies.

But yeah, check the drag link and bent tie rod end, that should tell you if its a converted power steer setup.

[6R07K]

GT's and k codes also came with the quicker ratio if manual steering. Can't recall at the moment which was manual and which was power but the AW and AX boxes had the same quick ratio.

[dyates]

Have information from a former owner of the car who purchased it back in December 1991 in Baltimore who says he fitted a 16: 1 GT steering box to the car.No mention about it ever being a power steer car.But will still check the underneath.

[GLENN 70]

Doesnt really matter if is was power steering or not ,as long as all the old gear was taken off and a manual drag link fitted ,and done away with the power ram etc is totally gone . Your saying its too light or do you mean touchy and hard to keep on the road at speed .

[dyates]

Hi Glenn 70.Had it up on jacks last weekend to have a look at all the steering components.Seems to have excessive movement left to right,on the road it steers well with no sign of bump steer.Drives a lot better than my last 65 RHD Coupe if memory serves me correctly,that was 26 odd years ago.I always intended to do a full front end rebuild.Haven't had the luxury of having someone swing the wheel whilst I am under the car to date.

[GLENN 70]

Thats what you have to do ,get someone to turn the steering wheel just a little left to right and then you can see where the slack is ,eg steering box ,pitman arm ,tie rod ends  even loose wheel bearings ,and till you work that out you can not fix the problem . Try just moving the s/wheel a little and watch the front wheel and see if it moves a little also .

[dyates]

Hi Glenn.Haven't succumbed to the "memories" thread to date.Alot of us have been there but it,s all about the car today.Build it the way u want it as u said.The car is what I bought,it is unmistakenly like a woman and every time I lift it's skirts it reveals a mystery or a disaster.We all know that we can train a Mustang,life goes on and the car just gets better

[dyates]

What I meant to say is I need a steering wheel chick/bloke.SORRY

[big al]

Hcc-ax is 16-1 manual steer box, Hcc-aw is 16-1 power steering box.
Dyates, I can get them rebuilt if you are interested just give me a call. Also it might be an idea to consider the borgenson power steering conversion and I fit a heap of them and they are great. A couple of little issues with them that I sort out whilst I am installing them for customers, They are a far better option than the crap and pinions out there.. al

[shaunp]

Hcc-ax is 16-1 manual steer box, Hcc-aw is 16-1 power steering box.
Dyates, I can get them rebuilt if you are interested just give me a call. Also it might be an idea to consider the borgenson power steering conversion and I fit a heap of them and they are great. A couple of little issues with them that I sort out whilst I am installing them for customers, They are a far better option than the crap and pinions out there.. al

Al, I got a Saginaw pump and Bracket from Borgenson, to run my XF box, not sure I like the bracket just a plate off the back and some spacers, do you brace them back to the water pump?

[big al]

shaun, that's what they come with in the kit. However, I do do a bracket that mounts to the front of an xf pump, and it tucks the pump a fair amount closer to the water pump and I use the original 67-68 adjuster bracket. I make them to order depending on the engine....I will have to see if the Saginaw pump in the kit mounts the same as an xf. I would suggest you brace it if you are going to give it some revs

[shaunp]

Yeah just looks a bit flimsy to me particularly with the spacers, I can't tuck it too close, as my 67 has AC, but I had figured I'd have to make another bracket off the water pump to stabilise it, some. The engine will see 6k, don't want it coming out of the bonnet.

[McBrain]

I had a drive of a 68 with the 390 motor yesterday. Manual steering was incredibly heavy. I'm used to old Land Rovers and this was much heavier.

How much work is involved with a power steering mod? Are there mounting points on the 390 block for the pump already? Is a new steering box required? (not sure which box is fitted, if the 16:1 is the heaviest is must be that one, I can't imagine it being any heavier)