Okay, I am confused and hope JimL82 chimes in here. I ahve been reading his info on changing to the fast ratio steering box, and cannot figure out if it applies when you use the steering box that is listed as being for the Chevelle. Like the one NAPA sells. My steering is waaaaaay too loose, and while I know that I need to go through the entire front suspension, I also want to go with the faster box when I do it. So, what all needs to be changed from what I am currently running on my '72 Malibu?
Changing to faster ratio confusion.
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tpshea
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Okay, I am confused and hope JimL82 chimes in here. I ahve been reading his info on changing to the fast ratio steering box, and cannot figure out if it applies when you use the steering box that is listed as being for the Chevelle. Like the one NAPA sells. My steering is waaaaaay too loose, and while I know that I need to go through the entire front suspension, I also want to go with the faster box when I do it. So, what all needs to be changed from what I am currently running on my '72 Malibu?
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3,038 Posts
Going to a new box will tighten the "looseness" most of the time. However, the fast ratio refers to how many turns from lock to lock. Alot of remanufactures will make a standard and a quick ratio so they may have the option at napa. If you want to see what your bo is, just turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and count how many revolutions it takes to get the wheels all the way to the right. A quick ratio is usually around 3-3.5
Rian,
Thanks, but I've been around Chevys for a bit and am quite familiar with what the fast ratio box does. That is not my question. My question is, what all needs to be changed from the stock components to switch to the fast ratio box that NAPA lists as a replacement for a '72 Chevelle.
Thanks, but I've been around Chevys for a bit and am quite familiar with what the fast ratio box does. That is not my question. My question is, what all needs to be changed from the stock components to switch to the fast ratio box that NAPA lists as a replacement for a '72 Chevelle.
Nothing.
You could also do the jeep grand cherokee swap, this would give you the fast ratio but would also give you a tighter feel in the steering wheel. More like today's cars that require a bit of effort to turn the wheel at speed. This requires the gear box which you can generally get for $75 or less, a rag joint coupling for around $80 or so, and two fitting adaptors which I believe are about $12 for the pair. Otherwise direct swap in as well.
Jeff
You could also do the jeep grand cherokee swap, this would give you the fast ratio but would also give you a tighter feel in the steering wheel. More like today's cars that require a bit of effort to turn the wheel at speed. This requires the gear box which you can generally get for $75 or less, a rag joint coupling for around $80 or so, and two fitting adaptors which I believe are about $12 for the pair. Otherwise direct swap in as well.
Jeff
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3,604 Posts
Only the box and nothing else. Many of the rebuilders, who supply Napa and everybody else, offer a fast ratio version of the same bolt-in box. If they sell if for a Chevelle it will already have the correct input shaft size and hose seal setup.
Now you can change valves inside the power steering pump for increased pressure to go along with your faster ratio steering box. This is something the factory did on later years. But I do not believe this to really be necessary. With the original box you have something like 900 PSI of boost and later it is increased to 1100-1400 PSI (if I recall correctly). Personally I don't think the extra boost offerred by higher pressure is needed at all.
Now you can change valves inside the power steering pump for increased pressure to go along with your faster ratio steering box. This is something the factory did on later years. But I do not believe this to really be necessary. With the original box you have something like 900 PSI of boost and later it is increased to 1100-1400 PSI (if I recall correctly). Personally I don't think the extra boost offerred by higher pressure is needed at all.
If I decided to go the Grand Cherokee route, what years should I look for? I know I can search, but you guys have been great about answering my questions so far. And thanks for the info. Will the swap to the faster ratio Chevelle box increase the steering effort a little? It's the only thing I truly dislike about driving my Chevelle is the total lack of feel when driving.
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602 Posts
I think the GC years are 93 to 98. More effort at the Wheel and Tighter Ubee's
I did it and Love it. Call Lee's to get the Swap parts you will need.
leespowersteering.com
Tony
I did it and Love it. Call Lee's to get the Swap parts you will need.
leespowersteering.com
Tony
Since I worked at Saginaw Steering Gear for over 30 years. I was able to gather a lot of information on production steering gears provided by Saginaw to General Motors Car Divisions. So I have charts that can tell you what pitman shaft sweep, what gear efforts, torsion bar size, and gear ratio were provided for various vehicle types and years.
Now, I have no inside information as to how gears are remanufactured. You would hope that gears that are rebuilt by outside companies are built to the same OEM specs as the Saginaw gears. However, my best guess would be that they are not. Saginaw manufactured hundreds of different models of power gears to very exacting specifications for hundreds of different GM cars, trucks, and for other car companies. Remanufactured gears are built with many less models to serve those same number of vehicle types and years.
There have been a number of postings by very satisfied members that indicated that they used gear model XXX remanufactured by YYY in their Chevelle, Camaro, etc. I would suggest that you pull up some of those postings.
JIML82
Now, I have no inside information as to how gears are remanufactured. You would hope that gears that are rebuilt by outside companies are built to the same OEM specs as the Saginaw gears. However, my best guess would be that they are not. Saginaw manufactured hundreds of different models of power gears to very exacting specifications for hundreds of different GM cars, trucks, and for other car companies. Remanufactured gears are built with many less models to serve those same number of vehicle types and years.
There have been a number of postings by very satisfied members that indicated that they used gear model XXX remanufactured by YYY in their Chevelle, Camaro, etc. I would suggest that you pull up some of those postings.
JIML82
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