I have a manual steering box that just went out on me and here are my options. 1. I go out and get a new or refab. manual steering box. OR 2. I have a power box that will bolt right in. now here is were you all come in. What does a car with a power steering box handel like? (the ram and pump will not be put on the car just the box) will this work? thanks, Alex O.
Yes,you will experience the need for extra effort when turning at low speeds(paralell parking) that sort of thing.Otherwise it should be fine.I understand the power box is supposed to have a qucker ratio too.
The quicker ratio is the cause of the increased steering effort, which in my opinion, really isn't that noticeable. I've driven much worse.
I love my 71 with power steering. It's so smooth, I can't tell ya. The other 71 I have is manual but I have to use 2 arms to turn it at all times unless I'm cruising freeway.
I'd try the power box before buying a new or rebuilt one. I converted my 77 Comet to manual and reused the power box and it's nothing to turn it.
Check out this old thread where I actually measured the difference in resistance between the manual and power gear boxes... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=28363&highlight=power+manual+steering
Just the box, or the full system ? The box by itself makes it harder a bit to turn with no power assist. To make it power, you have to have the pump, lines, power ram, different drag link,the pitman arm & the ram mount bracket on the frame. If you want a powerram and draglink, pay the shipping and I'll send that stuff to you.
The test was done with NO steering wheel. It was a torque wrench on just the nut in the center of the horn button area. So, regardless of the size of the steering wheel, those numbers will still stand. Still, a bigger steering wheel will level out the way it feels on the hands.