power steering box question

[rod86]

g`day all, i need a part for my steering box, what years have the same box? i have an 86 2wd c10, are the steering boxes the same from any other years like 80 and up or are they year specific?
thanks.

[N2TRUX]

Rod I know there was a change from SAE to metric fittings, but not sure what year. Early 80's I believe.

[rod86]

ok, well mines all in metric, was there any diffrence in shape of the little square cover where the adjustment screw is?

[menace121978]

i know there was a change inside the box in '78. there were different part #'s between '76 and '78 (bought one last week). i think the only difference was like a 1/4 turn lock to lock. notsure on the box on the top though. there's some pics of mine upclose on the last couple pages of my build...

[menace121978]

just remembered... keep in mind that small box is for the steering adjustments so put it back together just like you took it apart. maybe count the # of turns on that nut. i remembered this because there was a funny little printed note in my box that says "i know its difficult, but please resist adjusting. our steering gear boxes are set and adjusted to factory specs."

[xbanone]

Originally Posted by menace121978

just remembered... keep in mind that small box is for the steering adjustments so put it back together just like you took it apart. maybe count the # of turns on that nut. i remembered this because there was a funny little printed note in my box that says "i know its difficult, but please resist adjusting. our steering gear boxes are set and adjusted to factory specs."

Where did you purchase your steering box?

[menace121978]

napa

[78BO]

I was going to rebuild mine too, but for a 130 bucks I took the easy way out. I went to advanced auto. So far so good.

[rod86]

well over here its not that easy to just go buy another one, so i gotta get it rebuilt by a steering shop.

[HOOPTY67]

is there any adjustment in the box to take care of slop? ive got a ton of play in the steering wheel on my '73 i'd like to get rid of. kinda scary to drive at high speeds.

[JEM]

Originally Posted by HOOPTY67

is there any adjustment in the box to take care of slop? ive got a ton of play in the steering wheel on my '73 i'd like to get rid of. kinda scary to drive at high speeds.

If you feel like spending a little money, pull the thing out and ship it to Tom Lee at Lee Manufacturing (but call 'em first) and tell them you want it rebuilt with a 33 oz spool valve.

Did that for my '91 R2500 Suburban shortly after I got it, the improvement over the stock dial-a-wander no-effort steering was enormous. I think they can even go a bit stiffer if you want (I *think* a lot of Z28s used 33oz spool valves and the WS6 Trans Ams were 35 or 36 but I might be a little off.)

I'd originally planned to convert to a straight-ratio steering box but he talked me into keeping the variable-ratio box, that being a little slower on-center was a good thing for towing. I can't argue with the results.