Power Steering Swap -Finished!

[CUDA JAS]

As a few of you know from my various posts, I am in the process of switching to power steering in my cuda.   

I am finally to the point where I am seeing some progress.

The box is in, and I must say it looks right at home in there:





A few bits left to put on it.

The old crappy steering column, with a scarily welded shaft is out and the freshly rebuilt column is slowly going together:





I am getting pretty excited about the swap.

I was very surprised at how fast the power steering box was compared to the standard when just turning it by hand. The standard box is 5 1/2 turns lock to lock, the power is 3 1/2 I think.  I think with the fast ratio arm, the car is finally going to e fun to drive!

I just hope nothing leaks to bad.

Jason

[brads70]

Nice! 

[anlauto]

At least now when it's done you won't have to make the wife drive all the time 

[CUDA JAS]

At least now when it's done you won't have to make the wife drive all the time 

Funny guy...LOL

Actually, my wife has never driven the car...says its too big. Funny cause she rives a Ram.  Either way, fine by me.

Jason

[Chryco Psycho]

looks like you need the steering coupler repair kit from Mopar to replace the broken shoe inside the coupler

[CUDA JAS]

looks like you need the steering coupler repair kit from Mopar to replace the broken shoe inside the coupler

Yep, I have another pair and the proper power steering coupler...if I can manager to get the roll pin out.  Someone cut the input shaft off the box with the stub still stuck in the coupler.  Damn roll pin will not budge!!

[Chryco Psycho]

sure it will just use a bigger sledge hammer !!

[CUDA JAS]

sure it will just use a bigger sledge hammer !!

Yeah probably. But its tough to get a good hit on it because it it loose. No real good way to secure it for a big hit!!  Lol


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[cuda346pk]

You are gonna love it. I did the swith with firm Feel stage  3 and their fast ratio. Careful on your first drive. I almost turned into a curb it is so much quicker. Now I love it. Both tires now rub on inner fender at full lock. But just barely. Keep at it. It's gonna be well worth it.

[CUDA JAS]

well, two steps forward and two steps back...

I got the header back in, what a pain that is and got he pitman arm mocked up.  I am using an aftermarket fast ratio arm, so there is no master spline.  I compared it to the arm that came off the box and think I have it pretty close. Just going to wait and get everything together to make sure.

I also got the last two brackets painted, so almost ready to install the pump.

then the bad hit...installed the shaft into the column and the last section of the steering column and well hell it looks like my shaft is a little bent.  I am using the insert bearing on the shaft, as per the thread above and once I put the upper bearing onto the column, I gave it a spin and it has a nice wobble to it on the lower end. Oh and not mention I can not get the upper bearing section fully seated, which is causing other issues.

Any thoughts on if a slight wobble in the steering shaft is an issue??  If that is not a problem I address the other issues.  If it is a problem, I need to start disassembly!

Good thing I did not expect it all to go smoothly!!   

Jason

[CUDA JAS]

oh man, I managed to get the column apart and the shaft out.  No damage, so that's good. 

I think I see the issue...it looks like the top portion of the shaft, is a little shorter then the other shaft I used for mock up, although both are the same total length.  So, I may adjust things so the top bearing will seat properly, but then again, I am not sure, because of the wobble.

Jason

[CUDA JAS]

Little more progress tonight.

Got the column about 80% done.



I did not like the wobble in the steering shaft, so I switched it out for a maul Colum that I had, just shortened it to the right length.

I also used the lower bearing out of my original 74 column...you can see the insert and spring the holds the bearing tight in this pic.



There is still a large retainer ring I need to install, but I will do that after I paint the shaft.

This all went together really easy, as did the rest of the column.

I hope to have it all buttoned up an running next weekend.

Jason

[cuda346pk]

I boght a complete power column from ebay and the shaft turned out to be bent too. I had it on a lathe to polish the bottom for the upgrade bearing to fit on. I was able to straighten it using the lathe slow and a large adjustable wrench working a little at a time. Then discovered at final assembly the upper housing pieces were bent up causing weird uneven gaps between the different pieces. Of course I had totally refinished it at this point. Had to blast and paint parts from the old column and combine the 2. Finally got it all working good.

[CUDA JAS]

Yeah..,40 year old parts are always fun!!!


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[CUDA JAS]

I got the pump installed on the engine tonight.





In this photo it doe snot look lie the pulleys line up, but they do.



I am still not sure the hose will work, it is very tight on the gear fitting once you install the pump side.

It does not feel like there is enough slack for engine movement.



Still lots to do before moparfest, hopefully it will all work and I will make it.

Jason