How do you improve 'vague' steering?

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Brian68GT

New Member

Jan 12, 2004

90

0

0

Dublin, Ireland.

Mar 17, 2004

#1

• Mar 17, 2004

• #1

I have a 68 gt fastback with power steering. I find it a little vague and the car tends to wander when you come hard out of corners. How do i make the steering more precise? Is it just a power steering rebuilt kit or is there more than that required to imporove steering. I am getting a front suspension rebuilt kit, which will help, but any suggestions welcome.

thanks,

brian

 

68converted

Member

Nov 19, 2003

772

0

16

Colorado

Mar 17, 2004

#2

• Mar 17, 2004

• #2

I had the same problem. All I did was to improve the front end by adding new arm balls, springs, KYB's, alignment, and then I turned in the screw on the top of the steering box. losen the nut that holds the threaded pin in place then turn it (the pin) in till it is tight- then back again 1/2 a turn. That did the trick for me. Now I have very quick response and the car does not wander. I did both so I am not sure which did more. I would say start with the screw on the top of the box...

 

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19stang67

Founding Member

Jul 29, 2002

90

0

6

Tampa, FL

Mar 17, 2004

#3

• Mar 17, 2004

• #3

I got tired of all the P/S problems (with leaks and sloppiness and the control valve, etc) and just swapped to manual steering. I did go one step further and bit the bullet and got a flaming river steering box. Never been happier with the steering. Yeah, there is a bit more resistance, but when the car is moving, the "feel" for the road is great. Not everyone's cup of tea but I do so enjoy the classic ride versus the isolated ride of a new car.

 

kidtaurus

Founding Member

Mar 24, 2002

221

0

0

Athens, Ga.

Mar 17, 2004

#4

• Mar 17, 2004

• #4

Is it hard to steer when parking 19stang67?

 

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19stang67

Founding Member

Jul 29, 2002

90

0

6

Tampa, FL

Mar 17, 2004

#5

• Mar 17, 2004

• #5

surprisingly no. Now it's not as easy as the power steering, don't get me wrong, but it is not hard to steer when parking. It is probably do to the new steering box, a superior unit compared to the old stock one. I have 235/50s on the front, so they are not skinny tires, but they are not monsters either. This is also in FL where everything is flat. Hills and slopes may make a difference.

 

hungrymonkey

White by Birth, Trash By Choice

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,077

12

108

Oregon.

Mar 17, 2004

#6

• Mar 17, 2004

• #6

I dumped the power steering, and did a suspension and steering rebuild which was a little over stock.

the manual steering converter was cheaper than replacing the powersteering components.

my 67's main problem was that the shocks were the originals. C7 stamping

i could compress them by hand and it would take about 3 minutes for them to fully expand.

the few times I was able to drive my car afterwards I noticed a huge difference. I was not scared to hit speeds in excess of 40 mph.

 

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GaPonyFarm

New Member

Jan 2, 2004

663

0

0

Columbus, GA

Mar 17, 2004

#7

• Mar 17, 2004

• #7

The power steering for the classic mustangs is notorious for being too sloppy. I agree that converting to manual steering is the way to go. The Mustang is so light, that manual is fine if the tires are moving, even a little.

 

doug68hoss

Founding Member

Jan 21, 2001

413

0

16

australia..along ways from my stangs

Mar 17, 2004

#8

• Mar 17, 2004

• #8

my former ps setup on my 68..steered hard when parking..so i bought one of those tighter than crap fitting form steering wheel cover..the ones are walmart and other places with the grips on it...it made enough difference for me...

 

doug68hoss

Founding Member

Jan 21, 2001

413

0

16

australia..along ways from my stangs

Mar 17, 2004

#9

• Mar 17, 2004

• #9

sorry ..ford not form .lol

 

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Snail50

Founding Member

Mar 24, 2001

787

0

0

Miami

Mar 17, 2004

#10

• Mar 17, 2004

• #10

The PS in my 67 is super light and easy to turn; lighter in fact than the steering in my wife's 03 Expedition. However, the 67's steering is vague, and requires constant input when going down the road (kind of like a boat). I have the M+ "make it new" steering rebuild kit waiting to go in (along with a full Grab-A-Trak suspension). Once I put it all together, I'll post the outcome.

 

stackz

Founding Member

Jun 13, 2001

1,352

7

58

james island, sc

Mar 18, 2004

#11

• Mar 18, 2004

• #11

on my brother's 71 we swapped from the stock rubber front end bushings to poly bushings, got a late model power steering pump, and put on an aftermarket 69 vette steering box (closer turn ratio and better internal sealing).

solved all his steering problems and the car turns very nicely now...he can actually pull a u-turn now haha