Have now installed two different rebuilt ps gearboxes of the same part number from Advanced Auto (for a 69) and still have steering with repetitive hard spots about every 15-20 degrees (feels like binding, can see steering column move when wheels are turned even with wheels jacked off ground and engine off). It's like fighting an urangatan! Pump was run dry for a short time before I knew the original box was leaking, but a bad pump should result in constant had steering (not intermittent).

Installed the second box per instructions on this forum (1. tighten box to frame, 2. tighten flex coupler after aligning using plastic tabs or masking tape, 3. tighten column bolts to firewall, 4. tighten column bolts to dash).

My 69 was originally a 327 car that was modified when purchased (ZZ4, 4 wheel discs, 12 bolt posi, and more), so I don't know if the box in the car was original or not. The box I replaced it with is for a 69 (per Advanced Auto). The pitman arm on the car is 5.25" from center hole to center hole, so did my car already have the IROC box upgrade? Advanced Auto says stock 69 camaro pitman arm is 5.78" center hole to center hole.

I had also purchased a new pressure side hose for a 69, but it had the wrong male/female fittings and would not fit (since returned). However, the hoses currently on the car fit the 69 boxes I've installed (and obviously fit the original box that I removed and now wish I had back). Please help with root cause. Getting frustrated. Thanks.

Previous post: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=157677

I am not sure what is causing the binding, but I do question, if you have the steering box that you really want. A stock '69 box can be a fast ratio, but not the firm feel that most people want ! If you want the "firm feel" you will want a box for a 3rd generation IROC or Z/28 with "special steering". If you were able to just bolt in a box for a '69, I would say it is not firm feel. If you get a "firm feel" box for a third gen, you will need a different rag joint and adapters to connect to the "original" hoses. When talking to parts people, do not even mention that it is for a '69. Tell them it is an '86 IROC. You will only confuse them, otherwise.

Read this thread : http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103139 for more info.

The binding is most likely caused from worn or bad bearings in the steering column itself, most likely the lower bearing lost it's little balls, creating the bind!

The binding is most likely caused from worn or bad bearings in the steering column itself, most likely the lower bearing lost it's little balls, creating the bind!
I had absolutely no steering problems at all until the gearbox was changed (gearbox was changed because it was leaking from the pitman arm shaft seal). The car steered very well, but I can't say whether or not it had the "firm" or "heavy" feel of an IROC box.

I am not sure what is causing the binding, but I do question, if you have the steering box that you really want. A stock '69 box can be a fast ratio, but not the firm feel that most people want ! If you want the "firm feel" you will want a box for a 3rd generation IROC or Z/28 with "special steering". If you were able to just bolt in a box for a '69, I would say it is not firm feel. If you get a "firm feel" box for a third gen, you will need a different rag joint and adapters to connect to the "original" hoses. When talking to parts people, do not even mention that it is for a '69. Tell them it is an '86 IROC. You will only confuse them, otherwise.

Read this thread : http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103139 for more info.
I honestly don't care about having the IROC box (especially at this point). Steering was smooth and responsive (worked fine) before the original box began to leak. The binding problem began only after installing the rebuilt box (2 different ones). The flex coupler seems to be a generic replacement, so it may be other than a stock design or specs. Regarding the hoses, I do know that the ones that fit my original box (that began leaking) also fit both rebuilt boxes from the auto parts store that are for a 69 model. I may just replace the pitman arm with a stock version and see what happens.

Did you purge the new box correctly? Put fluid in, jack the front up, rotate steering wheel slowly lock to lock ten times or more while keeping a check on fluid. Keep rotating lock to lock until you can do it three or four times without having to add more fluid. Lower the car, start it up, do the same thing with the car running while keeping a check on fluid.

My car has an original type steering box. The pittman arm and idler arm are both about 5-3/4" center to center. Sounds like you had a different box on it originally. I think you're on the right course with the pittman arm. It would cause your centerlink to sit at an angle with the shorter arm on a stock box and seems like it might cause binding. The centerlink should move side to side parallel with the crossmember. Yours is probably sitting cockeyed now.

Did you purge the new box correctly? Put fluid in, jack the front up, rotate steering wheel slowly lock to lock ten times or more while keeping a check on fluid. Keep rotating lock to lock until you can do it three or four times without having to add more fluid. Lower the car, start it up, do the same thing with the car running while keeping a check on fluid.

My car has an original type steering box. The pittman arm and idler arm are both about 5-3/4" center to center. Sounds like you had a different box on it originally. I think you're on the right course with the pittman arm. It would cause your centerlink to sit at an angle with the shorter arm on a stock box and seems like it might cause binding. The centerlink should move side to side parallel with the crossmember. Yours is probably sitting cockeyed now.
Thanks Steiner, I'll add that purge process to the next install. My hoses fit a 69 box but would not fit the IROC box that the part store ordered, so I let them keep the IROC box. Appears there was a non-stock box on the car before, just don't know what it was. Ordered a stock pitman arm since I'll now have a stock box, should arrive Wed. Part store confirmed your estimated pitman arm lenght (states 5.78" to be exact - whereas my current pitman arm is 5.25" from hole center to hole center). Plan to install this weekend, sure hope this does it.

Thanks Steiner, I'll add that purge process to the next install. My hoses fit a 69 box but would not fit the IROC box that the part store ordered, so I let them keep the IROC box. Appears there was a non-stock box on the car before, just don't know what it was. Ordered a stock pitman arm since I'll now have a stock box, should arrive Wed. Part store confirmed your estimated pitman arm lenght (states 5.78" to be exact - whereas my current pitman arm is 5.25" from hole center to hole center). Plan to install this weekend, sure hope this does it.


You'll get it. One of the most aggrevating things is "it worked before!!!"

I made a little mistake in my purge instructions. When you do it the second time with the car running, chock the back tires and keep the front wheels off the ground a little. And I guess it's self explanatory, but add fluid to the reservoir on the pump to keep it at the "cold" line when you're doing the purge.

Good luck.