Super Budget Rebuilt Steering Box

[racerdude5]

I need a rebuilt steering box, I was considering rebuilding one myself but realized it would probably be best just to get one which has already been rebuilt. I want a box with less play than stock. My best option seems to be to get a rebuilt police box from A-1 Cardone or ACDelco for about $150 total from rockauto. However I want to make sure I get a good one so I want some input. I don't really have the $350 for a Firm Feel box. Has anyone had good experiences with these boxes? Also isn't the police box going to be much more precise than a factory box since it apparently has carefully selected parts for best fit? I know the FF 3 has the most "feel", does that mean it has the least amount of assistance aswell?

Non Police Boxes
A-1 Cardone
http://www.cardone.com/Products/Product-Detail?productId=276542&p=rock
Atsco
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1760134&cc=1090909&jnid=474&jpid=1
Lares
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3023382&cc=1090909&jnid=474&jpid=2
ACDelco
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=5807043&cc=1090909&jnid=474&jpid=4

Police Boxes
A-1 Cardone
http://www.cardone.com/Products/Product-Detail?productId=276515&p=rock
ACDelco
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=5807031&cc=1090909&jnid=474&jpid=3
Firm Feel
http://www.firmfeel.com/a_body_mopar_power_steering_box_rebuild.html

 

[AJ/FormS]

Have you tried adjusting it? All Mopar steering boxes have play in them with the engine not running. Thats just how they work. As soon as the pump is awake the "slack" gets taken up to a large degree. Sector shaft adjustment is a separate thing.
I bought a kit at the dealer which included about 3 or 4 reaction discs. I think I slammed at least 2 of those in there, maybe 3. Firmed it right up. On the cheap too. Those boxes are pretty simple inside. Im pretty sure you can do it.

 

[cn8dn]

Some information from my experience. I purchased a Cardone unit from RockAuto and have found this anomaly. My car is a 1969 Barracuda 340 Formula S. Suspension is stock. Steering gear is supposed to have the smaller 1 1/8" sector shaft and associated pitman arm. In the process of chasing down alignment/steering feel issues, the alignment technician concluded I have the incorrect steering gear (as evidenced by the larger 1 1/4" sector shaft on the installed steering gear). I am aware that if you want to convert a pre '72 A-body to '73 and later steering gear, you must change all the associated links and arms to preserve steering geomtry. My inquiry to Cardone revealed that what I received from them is a "conversion" steering gear. Basically from what I can gather, they sourced and supplied a pitman arm that fits the large sector shaft and matches the geometry of the smaller stock pitman arm. They could not provide me a part number for said pitman arm but assured me the set up had passed in car testing. The service manual states the center link must be parallel to the ground. Due to the fact the larger sector shaft is also slightly longer than the smaller sector shaft, my center link sits 1/4" lower on the pitman arm side than the idler arm side. My plan is to replace my worn strut arm bushings, lower control arm bushings and idler arm, get the car aligned and then determine how much bearing this center link geometry issue has on my steering/feel before I decide what to do with this steering gear (rebuild quality seems fine).
Long story short, RockAuto has awesome prices but be aware that the vendors rebuilding some of these parts seem to be taking liberties as the core supply dwindles.

 

[Pete in NH]

Hi,

Take a look at this article to firm up the typical Chrysler over boosted power steering. I'd be very careful with Cardone rebuilt parts. Cardone has a reputation for being a "spray and pray" rebuilder. New coat of paint and rather indifferent workmanship to put it politely.

I've rebuilt one of these power steering boxes and it wasn't too bad of a project. At least I knew I was starting with a decent core. The kit was about $30 from Gates. I had a very nice conversation with an engineer at Gates years ago who stepped me through the process. The factory service manual is also a big help.




[ame]http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf[/ame]