steering gear box question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

60ratrod · 12-09-2010, 06:40 PM

so for some time i have been wondering how hard it would be to swap over a power steering gear box from a later model truck like an 88-98 truck over to my 72 gmc. my 72 already has power steering, its just that i like the stiffer power steering of the newer trucks rather than the effortless power steering of my 72 gmc. thanks

Hubscrub · 12-09-2010, 07:56 PM

just throwing this out for a thought- my 97 has a sensor that is on the steering column that i had to replace with it unpluged the steering way wayyy light it does something somewhere to make it feel stronger its a PITA when it messes up driving wise

AGAIN JUST SAYIN

60ratrod · 12-09-2010, 08:38 PM

i just hate how light my steering is on myn 72 compared to my 01 tahoe. i just want a bit of a stiffer feel to my steering is all and i thought a gear box from an 88-95(maybe) would do the trick.

Longhorn Man · 12-10-2010, 06:53 PM

the amount of power assist is in the pump, not the box.
Remove the line from the high pressure side of the pump (the steel line fitting)
then remove the fitting that is left there, a spring will pop out with a filter. Clean the filter and install a stiffer spring from a junkyard vehicle.

60ratrod · 12-11-2010, 12:03 AM

what vehicles should i be looking at andy? like the newer trucks/cars or like a one ton? and is it possible to get one of those springs new from a parts house?? but that's awesome news that that is all i have to do

Longhorn Man · 12-11-2010, 07:57 PM

what ever GM car/truck you want it to steer like.

60ratrod · 12-11-2010, 09:04 PM

so i can get the spring from say an 88-98 and would be fine? i really do like the stiffer feel of the newer cars/trucks

Longhorn Man · 12-12-2010, 04:44 PM

should work

60ratrod · 12-12-2010, 05:47 PM

sweet! now i have something else to look for when i go to the yard next. i'm gonna convert my cab to heat only and i'm gonna try to find a heat only cab to rob the ducting and controls from. thanks andy! i really appreciate it!

Wrenchbender Ret · 12-12-2010, 11:52 PM

Changeing that spring will not change the feel of the steering.

60ratrod · 12-13-2010, 12:16 AM

ok then what will?? the entire pump?

Wrenchbender Ret · 12-13-2010, 02:47 PM

The intire gear box.

60ratrod · 12-13-2010, 03:37 PM

Ok, so now i'm getting some conflicting info. Anyone else have imputs? Ticker, captain, cableguy? Changing the gear box is fine, but i would like to know for sure.
Posted via Mobile Device

OhOneWS6 · 12-13-2010, 03:48 PM

I replaced my steering gear with one from a 73 - 78. It was a direct bolt on. It is 3.5 turns lock to lock VS 4.5 on the 72 gear. It feels stiffer. You can use the gear from 79 - 87 as well but it has metric o-ring fittings. You either need adapters or the lines from the later model if you use the 79 - 87 gear.

I did read some posts where people said it will not turn as sharp with the later gear. That is not the case with my truck. It turns all the way to the stops on the control arm with either gear. There is no difference in turning radius. I did use the 72 pitman arm.

Longhorn Man · 12-13-2010, 05:30 PM

my truck has a caddy engine in it, and on that engine is the steering pump off the same eldorodo. When I first did the swap, the steering was way over assisted. sping the wheel and let go and I swear it woulda kept on turning. Gave you no feedback of what was going on under the truck. I was told that this spring was too weak, and possibly broken. The weaker the spring, the more assist you will get.
I then took he spring out of the pump that was bolted to the Pontiac 350 that was in the truck when I got it. Upon doing that, and nothing else, the assist level was reduced, and feedback was improved a lot.
Maybe the spring won'd to anything... but is sure did on mine.

**oldgold70c10** · 12-13-2010, 07:36 PM

You need more caster. Have your truck re-aligned with 3-3 1/2 degrees caster and it should feel a lot better.

OhOneWS6 · 12-13-2010, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

my truck has a caddy engine in it, and on that engine is the steering pump off the same eldorodo. When I first did the swap, the steering was way over assisted. sping the wheel and let go and I swear it woulda kept on turning. Gave you no feedback of what was going on under the truck. I was told that this spring was too weak, and possibly broken. The weaker the spring, the more assist you will get.
I then took he spring out of the pump that was bolted to the Pontiac 350 that was in the truck when I got it. Upon doing that, and nothing else, the assist level was reduced, and feedback was improved a lot.
Maybe the spring won'd to anything... but is sure did on mine.

That is interesting. I may have to try swapping that spring in mine.

60ratrod · 12-14-2010, 02:55 AM

As andy put it i am getting too much assist. I want less assist. Since swapping the spring seems the easiest thats what i'll do first
Posted via Mobile Device

12-09-2010, 06:40 PM	#1
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	steering gear box question so for some time i have been wondering how hard it would be to swap over a power steering gear box from a later model truck like an 88-98 truck over to my 72 gmc. my 72 already has power steering, its just that i like the stiffer power steering of the newer trucks rather than the effortless power steering of my 72 gmc. thanks __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

12-09-2010, 07:56 PM	#2
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: steering gear box question just throwing this out for a thought- my 97 has a sensor that is on the steering column that i had to replace with it unpluged the steering way wayyy light it does something somewhere to make it feel stronger its a PITA when it messes up driving wise AGAIN JUST SAYIN __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14

12-09-2010, 08:38 PM	#3
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: steering gear box question i just hate how light my steering is on myn 72 compared to my 01 tahoe. i just want a bit of a stiffer feel to my steering is all and i thought a gear box from an 88-95(maybe) would do the trick. __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

12-10-2010, 06:53 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: steering gear box question the amount of power assist is in the pump, not the box. Remove the line from the high pressure side of the pump (the steel line fitting) then remove the fitting that is left there, a spring will pop out with a filter. Clean the filter and install a stiffer spring from a junkyard vehicle.

12-11-2010, 12:03 AM	#5
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: steering gear box question what vehicles should i be looking at andy? like the newer trucks/cars or like a one ton? and is it possible to get one of those springs new from a parts house?? but that's awesome news that that is all i have to do __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

12-11-2010, 07:57 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: steering gear box question what ever GM car/truck you want it to steer like.

12-11-2010, 09:04 PM	#7
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: steering gear box question so i can get the spring from say an 88-98 and would be fine? i really do like the stiffer feel of the newer cars/trucks __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

12-12-2010, 04:44 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: steering gear box question should work

12-12-2010, 05:47 PM	#9
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: steering gear box question sweet! now i have something else to look for when i go to the yard next. i'm gonna convert my cab to heat only and i'm gonna try to find a heat only cab to rob the ducting and controls from. thanks andy! i really appreciate it! __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

12-12-2010, 11:52 PM	#10
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,208	Re: steering gear box question Changeing that spring will not change the feel of the steering.

12-13-2010, 12:16 AM	#11
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: steering gear box question ok then what will?? the entire pump? __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

12-13-2010, 02:47 PM	#12
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,208	Re: steering gear box question The intire gear box.

12-13-2010, 03:37 PM	#13
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: steering gear box question Ok, so now i'm getting some conflicting info. Anyone else have imputs? Ticker, captain, cableguy? Changing the gear box is fine, but i would like to know for sure. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900 Last edited by 60ratrod; 12-13-2010 at 03:40 PM.

12-13-2010, 03:48 PM	#14
OhOneWS6 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 764	Re: steering gear box question I replaced my steering gear with one from a 73 - 78. It was a direct bolt on. It is 3.5 turns lock to lock VS 4.5 on the 72 gear. It feels stiffer. You can use the gear from 79 - 87 as well but it has metric o-ring fittings. You either need adapters or the lines from the later model if you use the 79 - 87 gear. I did read some posts where people said it will not turn as sharp with the later gear. That is not the case with my truck. It turns all the way to the stops on the control arm with either gear. There is no difference in turning radius. I did use the 72 pitman arm. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 1/2 LWB White/Dark Yellow 07 Avalanche 2LT 74 Sleek Craft Rebel Jet Boat W/Pontiac 400 Last edited by OhOneWS6; 12-13-2010 at 03:52 PM.

12-13-2010, 05:30 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: steering gear box question my truck has a caddy engine in it, and on that engine is the steering pump off the same eldorodo. When I first did the swap, the steering was way over assisted. sping the wheel and let go and I swear it woulda kept on turning. Gave you no feedback of what was going on under the truck. I was told that this spring was too weak, and possibly broken. The weaker the spring, the more assist you will get. I then took he spring out of the pump that was bolted to the Pontiac 350 that was in the truck when I got it. Upon doing that, and nothing else, the assist level was reduced, and feedback was improved a lot. Maybe the spring won'd to anything... but is sure did on mine.



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12-13-2010, 07:36 PM	#16
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: steering gear box question You need more caster. Have your truck re-aligned with 3-3 1/2 degrees caster and it should feel a lot better. __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel

12-14-2010, 02:55 AM	#18
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: steering gear box question As andy put it i am getting too much assist. I want less assist. Since swapping the spring seems the easiest thats what i'll do first Posted via Mobile Device __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

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