I need help in deteriming which steering box I might have. I have a '69 Camaro. Originally a grocery getter, with power steering. I'm the umpteenth owner, so who knows if it's the original box or not.

Anyway, I want to replace the pitman arm, and one catalog specifies two different arms: one standard ratio that is 5 3/8" cL and , and the other quick ratio that is 5 7/8" cL.

The literature I have, says that the standard ratio steering is 2.16 turns lock-to-lock and the quick ratio is 2.06 lock to lock.

I checked mine with the pitman arm off, and the box goes almost three turns lock to lock. I don't remember what it was with the linkage attached to it, but probably would have hit the lower control arm stops first.

What can I do to determine the proper pitman arm application? Thanks.

ps - the pitman arm that was on it was a 5 7/8" quick ratio arm. But I'm not sure that is correct...

Hi Mark!

David P. has a lot of detail on the various OE boxes on his site: http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_steering.htm#Steering%20box%20and%20ratio%2 0info

But... like you said, it has been a long time since the old girl left the factory. Can you still read casting numbers on the steering arms (bolted to spindles), and/or measure a length? It is more critical to match the pitman length to the rest of the components where the OE lengths vary by application, than it is to have the "right" pitman for the box itself.

There are some combinations of pitman length and steering arm length that can make the steering a little scary...

If you don't have stiff valving consider getting a new box, it will make the car much easier to drive, especially going straight down the freeway. The over-assisted stock boxes are not good in general, even if they are the variable ratio type.

My page has the test method for variable ratio boxes, keep the steering box centered or you will get a wrong reading. Lock to lock is less with linkage attached, but a box a bit below 3 turns sounds like a variable ratio box, probably 2.5 turns when links are connected depending on outer steering arm length and pitman arm length. I prefer the long pitman but with your box either one should work OK.
David

Hi Mark!

David P. has a lot of detail on the various OE boxes on his site: http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_steering.htm#Steering%20box%20and%20ratio%2 0info

But... like you said, it has been a long time since the old girl left the factory. Can you still read casting numbers on the steering arms (bolted to spindles), and/or measure a length?

The left arm says: 3954873 GM54AP
(tip: it was really hard to read the faded cast numbers, so I lightly dabbed them with white-out and they stand out like neon!)



There are some combinations of pitman length and steering arm length that can make the steering a little scary...


Funny you mention that: the steering has been "off", meaning it turned more to the left than the right. I have installed a new steering column and rag joint and figured I must have been one turn off of the steering box when I connected it, but who knows now? Maybe I have had the wrong pitman arm, I don't know.

So the driver side is a "medium" length; from David's site:

MEDIUM ARM 5.5" length RH 3954874 LH3954873 - All except for PS and 302 1969 only

I am not sure I really know how to interpret what that says; correct arms for a manual steer 69, but not for a power steering car? David?

So the driver side is a "medium" length; from David's site:

MEDIUM ARM 5.5" length RH 3954874 LH3954873 - All except for PS and 302 1969 only

I am not sure I really know how to interpret what that says; correct arms for a manual steer 69, but not for a power steering car? David?

I checked the right arm and it's the number listed above. At least they match! lol

The way I read that note, it appears they are for a manual steering car. I would not be surprised if this was originally a manual steering car that was converted. Too many variables!

If you don't have stiff valving consider getting a new box, it will make the car much easier to drive, especially going straight down the freeway. The over-assisted stock boxes are not good in general, even if they are the variable ratio type.

My page has the test method for variable ratio boxes, keep the steering box centered or you will get a wrong reading. Lock to lock is less with linkage attached, but a box a bit below 3 turns sounds like a variable ratio box, probably 2.5 turns when links are connected depending on outer steering arm length and pitman arm length. I prefer the long pitman but with your box either one should work OK.
David


It's pretty easy to drive. I don't find myself having to compensate to steer it straight. I just need it to turn the same amount right as it does left. The lower control arms do not look bent, nor does the frame.


I just looked at the steeering wheel again: I have verified that it's indexed correctly with the input shaft (the steering wheel). It turned left, about 2 1/4 turns to the left stop. However turning it to the right resulted in well over 2 1/4 turns, more like 2 1/2. I think the rag joint is 180 degrees off of the steering box input shaft.