In the near future I'm going to have to replace the steering column in my 77 Comet (turn signal switch just went south) and it's a might "squirrly" at high speeds with a little slack in the gear box.(that might also be the alignment specs too) So thinking on doing both R&P and an aftermarket column. Just hate to get into a complicated and lengthly swap. Been putting off swapping in the Toploader 4 speed cause of that (gettin lazy in my old age) with the C-4 doin it's job.
It can get complicated. Mine has been out of commission for 3 months, and most likely won't get back together before this fall. But I am in the middle of a complete front suspension swap at the same time. I am about $3000 into it, and still a pretty good bit away from being done. Is there a way to install the rack with the stock suspension still installed?
Im interested in this as well. My car is also squirrely at freeway speeds. Seems like I have no slack in the gearbox.
Depending on which kit you go to, the hardest part is the steering column conversion. I have the Gateway erformance setup. The rack bolted in easily enough but the column mods slowed me down a lot.
The issues I hit were many. Check out this thread... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=92964 I doubt my issues are much different than the average installation, for the most part. But I have hit little roadblocks at pretty much every step of the way.
A few of us have converted to rack & pinion, with stock suspension without buying anyone's kit. Once I'm done, I'll be posting all the information required.
Dave, I would be interested in seeing that. Good of you to wait and post it all at once. My on-going threads get long due to suggestions, comments, etc. Nothing wrong with that , but I know some people don't want to read a 10 page thread all the way through. So, finish it up and post it!!!
You can check out the rack mount Nick & I came up with using the cavalier rack. The second link is some more info on what I've done. I've already finished the column mods and Saturday I'm going to Nicks home and we are going to mock it all up in his 73 Mav. http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=36382&page=26 http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=93069
'Not trying to hijack your thread, but to address some of what you said; the turn signal switch can easily be replaced. No need to replace the column. The steering box probably needs adjusted, which is easy as well. Ideally, a new steering box is in order, but you'd be surprised at how much improvement a simple adjustment can make to your steering response. Making sure that your steering & suspension components are in good condition as well as a proper alignment will complete the list, and you'd probably be quite happy with the way the car drives.
I am going with the RRS rack and pinion set up. Have the kit, I am just waiting on the paint to be completed on the car. Everything you need in one kit but it is pricey.
every car that ive driven that has been converted to rack and pinion looses its tight turning radius. usually requiring a 3 point turn to turn into my shop when most cars can make it with one turn. the rack and pinion doesnt travel as far as the steering box does. to get that radius back you would need to move the tie rod where it attaches to the spindle closer to the spindle. i really like the borgenson power steering box conversion. you get power steering and a really tight steering feel.
Mine cost me about $400 doing the conversion myself. Got a cavalier center take-off rack, made my own mounting brackets, and got the u-joints and steering rod from ebay. Cutting the column was(for me) no harder than any of the rest of the conversion. Took me about a week working off and on and the results were outstanding!!! The car went from "keeping your eyes on the road and the car was still all over the road" to "one hand on the wheel and watching the people watch my car", Smooth perfect steering car, with NO p/s leaks!! I absolutely loved driving that mav!! Wish I hadnt sold it, BUT am about to build another with identical stuff, hope it turns out as nice!! I have some pics in my gallery of the rack. Oh, and I really didnt notice much loss of turning radius, either.
I, too am a borgenson fan. Unless you are changing everything, like the M2 conversions or big money like the RRS or TCI racks, the borgenson is the most cost effective way to get better steering out of these old chassis. This I actually my plan unless I redo the entire suspension. Of course, 55crownvic offers a good alternative as well...
Where do you get the new signal switch ? As for the box adjustment, I did that back when I converted to manual from power. While I had the engine out and the suspension unloaded, I took all the slack out. I also replaced the centerlink and idler arm. I had it aligned last year and there was no slack in any of the rest of the front suspension. This is why I mentioned the alignment specs. Seems I recall someone posted what they needed to be for radial tires recently. I need to get those specs and have my alignment guy reset everything to those specs before commiting to an R&P swap.
