I just got my 69 changed over from manual to power steering. The installation went pretty well and looks good. I took the car for a test drive and from the posts that I have read on this site the steering is to easy. It takes very little effert to turn the steering wheel. The steering gear that was installed was in a Cardone box with part # 27-6550 on it. Also when I turn the steering wheel to lock in either direction it makes a very loud noise. I have a few questions.


1) If I go and get another gear box how can I tell if it is the correct one or not before I install it?
2) Can I remove the Lee inserts from the gear box I will be returning and reuse them?
3) Does anyone know what would could be making this noise when the steering wheel is turned lock to lock?

Although I wish the steering was firmer, Power steering is great!
Thanks
Phil

Are you sure it has enough fluid/did you recheck it after it sat for a little while after you drove it? Dry boxes can take a while to get right - the ps fluid sometimes aerates (sp? - ie foamy).

I did this conversion last summer when I got my new crate engine. Coming off manual steering with large front tires (245s), it was heaven. After awhile tho, I too had a small gripe about how loose the steering felt. I was kinda hoping it would feel more like "power-assisted" steering like my old '87 Honda Accord, or my current PT Cruiser.

As for the noise, do several lock-to-lock turns with the engine running to get the fluids moving and settled. Even after we thought we had it done and filled to the right level, we had to turn around after 4 blocks because the pump started groaning everytime the wheel was turned.

We have been hearing of many different problems here with the rebuilt boxes. You are at their mercy that they rebuilt the box correctly. Make sure your tires are not contacting the frame. You should be able to reuse your adapters, if I am not mistaken, they are an O-ring seal.

The Lee Inserts are not O Ring seals, they adapt the o ring (3rd gen) design to use a flared seal instead. They are pressed into the opening but some have had success removing them. They are inexpensive and can be easily repurchased if you need another set. There are many on this board who have had great success including myself with the Cardone 276550

I think that the steering box was not rebuilt for the touring suspension application. I will remove the steering box today. I called o'reilly' s and was told that they did not have one in stock but would have one on monday. They told me that they would trade the steering boxes out no problem. O'reilly's has the boxes for a fair price about $128. At least were I live in Tenn. I will let you know how this works out.

Strange. That is the correct number on the box. It should have very stiff valving, and the correct internal stops for your car.

The application I used was 1987 Camaro "with special suspension" that was how it was listed in the RockAuto online catalog.

If you thread in a 3/8 self tapping sheetmetal screw, you can use that to pull the inserts out.

They are like the little seats in master cylinder ports and you should be able to pull them out like Jim said..

pdq67

When you return the box be sure to put a note in that the steering is not stiff like it should be for that particular 87 Iroc application. This way they don't just repackage that box and sell it to the next guy...

JimM, When you say it should have very stiff valving, how do you mean? Does yours feel like I described earlier, like power-assisted cars?

When I was growing up, my Dad had a 1974 Ford Gran Torino station wagon. That is what I think of when you say pinky steering. The power steering feel I'm getting from my Cardone 27-6550 feels only slightly stiffer than that.

with my original power steering box, idling and stationary, i could spin it lock to lock with just one pinky.

The cardone box I have is stiff, like a modern hi perf. car. Idling and stationary, it takes a whole hand to turn it, you can't even palm it and spin it. If you tried to turn it with your pinky, you'd break that digit clean off. Driving down the road it feel just like it should, you can tell the road is there.

Interesting. I can definitely palm the steering lock-to-lock with it idling on my smooth garage floor. I wouldn't call mine pinky steering, but probably index finger steering.

Another note: When I did that track day last week, the instructor commented on my steering when he drove my car for a couple laps. He said, "Oh, I see what you mean about your steering. It feels progressive or variable like it gets quicker after about 1/2 turn." Most of what he was talking about went over my head because I don't have a lot of experience with other performance power steering setups.

Do you think swapping out the box again would be like drawing another card and getting a different feel?

Thanks JimM for the instructions on how to remove the inserts. And Brian I will have a note placed about the steering box not having the correct firm feel
for the iroc application.Thanks to all that have given suggestions. Before I removed the steering box I made sure it had the correct amount of fluid. Then turned the steering wheel lock to lock at least 50 times more and took my car for a drive. I could still turn the steering wheel with my pinky easly. So I removed the steering box. It has to be the wrong one. At least just removing the steering box is not difficult.