Let's talk power steering boxes....

[68Stepbed]

I think my power steering box is shot. It's leaking ps fluid everywhere. I got to drive it around some last Saturday and aftfer driving about 1 1/2 hrs. the ps pump started whining. I pulled in a gas station and topped off the pump. I noticed the fluid was low a couple months ago and haven't driven the truck much since until last Sat. I came home last night and noticed a big puddle under the driver side of my truck. The box itself is leaking! I also noticed there's ps fluid all over the suspension, wheel, and inner fender on the drivers side. I know what I'm doing tomorrow.

Anyway, I figure if I have to replace the box, I might as well get the quick ratio box from Early Classic. Does anyone else have one of these? Is there another company that has quick ratio boxes? Can I rebuid mine?

If any of you have had to replace a steering box, what did you use?

I've never had to deal with steering boxes before other than installing this one a few years ago, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BluTrukker]

You can rebuild it, there is a kit with a couple O-rings and seals. I have done this several times, and in my opinion I would just get a new one.

[1968SWBBigBlock]

I had mine rebuilt and made it a faster ratio- think hard about this if you have a fast truck - it can make it a little squirrelly to drive.
- Change out the PS pump and hoses at the same time.

[68Stepbed]

My truck isn't fast so I shouldn't have to worry about it getting squirrely. It's hard to justify the extra cost of the QR box, so I may just go with a stock rebuilt box. Thanks for the advice on the pump and hoses, but they're already new. I put them on with the rebuild.

I beleive the box got some water in it when we were cleaning up the frame after we tore the truck down. All th suspesnion had previously been rebuilt so we left it intact. We didn't plug the holes in the ps box so the water probably caused the seals to go bad.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

They are pretty easy to put seals in . If its working good & driving good that would be a lot cheaper.

[PICKMUP]

Just get a 73-78 (flare fittings like ours) box and it is QR. That's all there is to it. Wrecking yard & used are fine if they are tight in the "center" position & the seals don't leak like yours. QR is 3.5 turns (lock-to-lock), ours are 4.5 & manuals are 5.5.
QR drives nice with the big stock steering wheel. It is a little fast with smaller wheels.

[Mondo]

I've had standard, quick ratio and variable ratio boxes in my truck over the last year (has been an issue for me).

the quick ratio was great for around town but at freeway speeds seemed a little squirly (I have a small steering wheel too). I like the variable ratio as it's the best of both worlds; the more you turn the quicker the ratio.

I put a '76 in my 67 and fit with no modifications. Just don't buy a cheap rebuild as mine have gotten a lot of slack in them within months. I just ordered a redhead variable box from Classic. Hope it solves my sloppiness problem.

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/67-72_chassis_2.htm

[CentralCoaster]

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