Steering box removal. It's never easy for me.

[chickendeluxe]

I generally use Firm Feel as well and do the stage 2.

However, last time I needed one they were 3 months back logged.
Cardone was available. but I used a new Lares

Used the "Lares" new box in the Charger cuz the customer had to have done asap.
Road feel was great and had firm response.... but it didn't act like a typical mopar box by not steering back after a turn.
I called lares and they said it can take 2000 miles to break in.

At least it didn't Leak!

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I generally use Firm Feel as well and do the stage 2.

However, last time I needed one they were 3 months back logged.
Cardone was available. but I used a new Lares

Used the "Lares" new box in the Charger cuz the customer had to have done asap.
Road feel was great and had firm response.... but it didn't act like a typical mopar box by not steering back after a turn.
I called lares and they said it can take 2000 miles to break in.

At least it didn't Leak!

Check the alignment... Caster causes the steering to return to center... Needs at least 1.5 degrees & if possible I prefer 3+ degrees

 

[chickendeluxe]

Master tech and shop owner aligend with max caster and offset busings on moden machine. Lares said they dont break in for a while

 

[Billccm]

Shipped out yesterday. UPS ground with $200 insurance was $116.....ouch.

I ordered a new coupler. Steer N Gear recommended the 2113 redesigned seal boot. Hopefully will receive that soon so I can get that completed.

 

[Billccm]

Steer and Gear emailed me today with a invoice. Looks like $660 including return shipping for stock rebuild and pitman arm rebuild. Interesting that it cost me $116 to ship and they are charging me $60 for shipping. Almost half less for them to ship?

I called Steer and Gear to discuss the invoice and see about turn around time. They estimated 2 to 3 weeks before I would receive.

The coupler arrived tonight. I'll take the column over to a friend's garage next weekend and replace the coupler (he has done this before and offered to help).

 

[Don Frelier]

Which level of firmness did you select?

 

[Billccm]

Which level of firmness did you select?

Stock rebuild. I like that over boosted isolated feeling.

 

[Billccm]

Anyone know of a source for the gasket at the firewall?

 

[dadsbee]

DMT, but that said my new one on the Bee melted and deformed after the second engine run being so close to the HP manifold. The material certainly not what was used in '69. I'd use the plate as a template, and what you have left there, and cut one from some shipping foam. I collect that stuff now when parts come out of their boxes...

 

[Billccm]

Got the boot on without pressing out the pin. Lots of Vaseline and careful work with a trim tool. That boot fits tight.

 

[gtx6970]

Bill.
I have a spare Gasket.

Yours if u want it

 

[Billccm]

Bill.
I have a spare Gasket.

Yours if u want it

Thanks for the offer. I ordered two yesterday. Figured I'd have a spare for someone someday.

 

[gtx6970]

Thanks for the offer. I ordered two yesterday. Figured I'd have a spare for someone someday.

That's exactly how I ended up with this one.

 

[Billccm]

Coupler on
Had to precision paint the center of steering as the divot was barely noticeable.
Plastic knife helped get boot on.
Waiting on the steering box from Steer N Gear.

 

[Billccm]

The old coupler showed some wear, but really not that bad.

 

[Billccm]

Column to firewall gasket just arrived
I've got a spare if anyone needs one.

I'm keeping the padded envelope just in case to send.

 

[Billccm]

Steering box and pitman arm arrived late last night. The pitman arm was installed by Steer N Gear. I assume everything is centered properly?
Pictures taken with Spline key at what should be 12 o'clock.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

It only goes on four ways, 90 degrees apart so yeah, I'm sure they got it right...

 

[Billccm]

Well I admit my mechanical skills are limited. I can turn a wrench, but can't turn a steering gear box into the positioning to snake it back into the K member. Tried lowering the car and putting the steering box on my chest, tried various contortion moves, and decided to admit defeat and call my friend who is a retired professional mechanic. He help twist the steering gear while I shoved it into place.

Steer N Gear warns of a voided warranty if you do not flush out the old fluid. I didn't want to start the car as the dash is half disassembled (victim of "while you are at it" and sent speedometer off). I pondered for awhile and decided to take the PS belt off, slowly rotated the pulley by hand, and used a mighty vac to suck out the fluid from the pressure line. Fluid ran clear at precisely 16 ounces of exchange. I did see some very small debris during this flush.

Speedometer will be back Saturday and once that's back in I'll move to the column install.

 

[Billccm]

Well shame on me. I've been singing praise for Steer N Gear with my Mopar friends at various car shows. Everyone thinks I spent too much money at Steer N Gear and should have done a O'Reilly exchange at half the price, but no I wanted to patronize the best and a family owned business that I've had good luck with in the past.

I returned my items and even labeled and packaged the fittings in a Ziploc Tupperware container. How could they have been so careless?

Seems Steer N Gear returned the incorrect high pressure fitting. What a shame I wanted to take the road runner to a car show this Saturday.