I recently purchased my '67 that has power steering and think that the feel of the steering is very loose or sloppy. Is there any way to tighten it up? Would a quick ratio steering gear box help? I think the steering coupler looks okay after a quick visual inspection. Is there anything else I need to check?

The car I've been driving for the past eight years is a '96. Am I expecting too much from my '67?

Thanks for any info.

On the top of the power steering box you can tighten the lash a bit to see if that helps pick up the slop. Use a wrench to loosen the nut, and then use an allen wrench to tighten the center about an 1/8 of a turn clockwise, tighten lock nut back down and take it for a drive, do it again if you still need to tighten, but be careful, always make sure the steering is self centering in that after a turn it wants come back to center almost on its own.
I did this and it wasn't enough, even after new tie rod ends and idler there was still looseness and the steering wasn't stiff feeling like I wanted it to be, so I swapped in a third generation steering box and coupler into my camaro and now it feels great!
Third Gen to First Gen Swap (http://69camaro.nextmill.net/steering.html)

yaa... follow Brians directions... I did. $250, and it'sa brand new car. What a difference!

Brian -- I have a '69 with NO power steering at all. Do you think this converstion would work for me as well? I have been toying with the idea of adding the PS as parking and the like is a bear. Bad enough it has no AC graemlins/sad.gif

Also want to add steeroids to bumb this bad boy into the 21st centry. Thanks for any advice.

no69, Yes, it will. Checkout this link. This has the info you need. All first gens are pretty much the same.

http://www.camaros.net/forum/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=006467

I have installed an AGR box and a new rag joint, have tweeked the adjustment screw ad nauseum, but still have a bit of slop in the wheel (maybe an inch). The input shaft on the steering box is definitely moving, but the output shaft is not. This would seem to mean that the rag joint is fine, but something is not quite right in the box. On the other hand, it could be normal to have that amount of play. Comments?

Ed

Thanks for the help guys. I'll definitely start with tightening the lash as Brian suggested. If that doesn't make it feel more comfortable I'll upgrade to a third generation steering box once the pocket book can handle it.

Ed, test with the engine running so you have power assist. It takes some turn of the wheel to open the steering control valve in the box, even a power rack and pinion has the valve.

When adjusting the lash, I'd turn the screw all the way down lightly while the steering is pointed straight ahead. Just don't turn the allen down hard or the box will be sticky on center. Any box with 80,000. miles and more will need adjusting.
David

RamJam -- Thanks for the in put

I have a serpentine system and therefore a 3rd gen pump on my 68. I swapped out the pressure fitting for the original 68. If I swapped back in the original 3rd gen pressure fitting and put in the new 3rd gen box would I still need the adapters or could I just run a pressure & return line for a 3rd gen? Are the adapters from Lee just to adapt the original pump and hoses to the metric box?

I checked partsamerica.com for part #276550 and it was listed at $229.99 :confused: How did you get it for $139.99? Just curious...Looking into doing this in my 67 Camaro.

thanks for the info smile.gif
Kevin

ramcda : These are inserts that give an inverse flare for the flare on the hoses to compress against, thus if running third gen hoses/fittings you would NOT need the Lee Adapters.

67RS: I just went to Kragen.com, dialed in an 85 Camaro Z28 4bbl 350 on zip code 92780 and I get a
Cardone 276550
Reman.; w/Performance Suspension; Power Steering
$139.99
$25.00 core

Maybe its the zip code that causes it to cost more in your area?
RockAuto.com would be your second best choice if thats the case.

I called Lee Manufacturing and she said the adapter kit, part #62420A, was $64.99. It has the coupler and the two inserts. She suggested getting a box from a donor Z-28 Camaro but was unfamiliar with the Cardone box. I forgot to ask how much shipping was.

The Cardone box from partsamerica was $139.99 + $10.66 shipping (no local pickup for me) + $25 core charge ($175.65 total). From rockauto.com $116.99 + $19.54 shipping + $25 core charge ($161.53 total).