Steering box removal suggestions/help

[BarracudaDave]

My car is a 70 Cuda, 340 with TTI headers.  I'm in the process of doing some suspension work, idler arm, pitman arm, drivers side lower control arm bushing replacement.  After removing the lower control arm I can see that the steering box sector seal and more so, the worm shaft oil seal are leaking and need replacement.  I'm trying to decide whether now is a good time to drop the steering box and sent it off to Firm Feel for their upgrade treatment?  My main concern is whether the box will come out by just jacking up the engine to gain clearance without removing the header?  With the lower control arm out of the way, the box is very accessible.
In hindsight, I should have worked on the box before I installed the headers, but at the time I was focused on the engine and not the suspension.
As always, thanks in advance for your help/comments.

[Chryco Psycho]

Without being there to see it my guess is that the header would need to be removed to get the steering box out , it can be difficult with just manifolds on so I doubt there would be any area large enough to get the box out with headers on .

[FY1Cuda]

Our Challenger has TTI headers, so I thought I would look.  The pipe from the #1 cylinder comes down right at the of the box, so I don't think there's enough room to maneuver it out.  You can certainly try, and if it doesn't fit, put it back in place and then drop the header (or just loosen it so you can wiggle the steering box out past it).

[BarracudaDave]

Yes, the more I look at the setup I believe the header is going to be in the way.  If the box would slide straight down there might be room, but since the nose of the box needs to come back in order to clear the K-frame, the number one exhaust tube looks to be in the way. 
Will post a picture or two when I get time.
thanks again.

[WildJones]

In talking with Dick at FirmFeel at one point about this subject, he recommended trying what has already been suggested. Undo or loosen any connection that would inhibit you from jacking the motor up a little bit. Place a block of wood under the motor to retain your clearance. Loosen the driver side header from the block and try and maneuver the steering box out of the engine compartment.

Sounded like enough of a pain that I decided to tackle it now (with the car apart) instead of later (all buttoned up).

[BarracudaDave]

Mike,
thanks for the info.  What firm feel told you makes sense.  If you come back to this post.  Did you have them rework your original box?  I'm wondering what it costs to ship the box to them for rebuild?  I know it is a heavy piece of American iron.
Dave

[WildJones]

Mike,
thanks for the info.  What firm feel told you makes sense.  If you come back to this post.  Did you have them rework your original box?  I'm wondering what it costs to ship the box to them for rebuild?  I know it is a heavy piece of American iron.
Dave

Dave,

I went another direction in my build. I wasn't certain if I was going to be able to run fast ration arms with 2" TTI headers (The answer is supposedly yes) and I didn't like the sloppy on center feel of the stock steering box, so I bought a Borgeson V2. I'm putting my suspension all back together, but I am no where near getting the car on the road again to test out the new box.

Shipping would depend on your location I suppose. I have a UPS account that makes shipping ridiculously cheap. I sent my K member to them and it cost....wait for it.... $10!

Sorry I am not much help on either front. 

[roadman5312]

Dave,

I went another direction in my build. I wasn't certain if I was going to be able to run fast ration arms with 2" TTI headers (The answer is supposedly yes) and I didn't like the sloppy on center feel of the stock steering box, so I bought a Borgeson V2. I'm putting my suspension all back together, but I am no where near getting the car on the road again to test out the new box.

Shipping would depend on your location I suppose. I have a UPS account that makes shipping ridiculously cheap. I sent my K member to them and it cost....wait for it.... $10!

Sorry I am not much help on either front. 

           $10 bucks to ship a K frame.  How do you go about getting one of these accounts.  ?

[BarracudaDave]

Mike,
thanks for the info.  Yea, that $10 is a great deal.  I assume you ship a lot with UPS?
Dave

[WildJones]

Mike,
thanks for the info.  Yea, that $10 is a great deal.  I assume you ship a lot with UPS?
Dave

Correct.