Power Steering opinions

[jhbus]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for opinions, and I know that there are many out there. I have a 67 coupe with factory power steering. I just replaced the front suspension (upper and lower arms, springs, sway bar and links, outer tie rodes converted to 72 disc's). The stering was ok, now it's not working. I think it is the power cylinder, but to be honest, not too worried about the diagnosis right now. What I want to know is, should I spend the time and money fixing the factory steering, or should I spend MORE money and go with rack and pinion? It is a driver, not a race car, it needs to have power, my wife drives it. I have heard that changing to rack and pinion increases the turning radius, which I don't much care to do. When the steering WAS working, I didn't mind it too much, a little too much wandering on the highway, but overall not too bad (plus, can't I fix that by giving it more caster? (I haven't tried that yet, it's just set to factory specs)

Thanks for the input.

Joe

 

[yeloxr7]

Fix the factory setup. My experience, and that of others posted here (use the SEARCH function), is that for the most part the rack-and-pinion setups for early Mustangs are troublesome. There are threads on this site and at www.mercurycougar.net on the subject of steering.

Replace all the hoses, make sure they are routed correctly, especially the two short hoses that connect the control valve to the hydraulic ram. Rebuilt control valves and rams are fairly inexpensive. The best money I spent on my steering system was to purchase a Borgeson rebuilt steering box, More expensive than a common rebuild and less costly than a "new" box from Flaming River, it works really well. Borgeson "blueprints" the boxes and makes a couple of improvements in them. There is very little play in this box at the straight-ahead position. Check them out at www.borgeson.com

 

[stanger53]

I will admit that I am biased since I rebuild Mustang steering systems for a living, but it really is a good system when everything is done properly. It will never have the response and road feel of a R&P car, but for a daily driver that already has a system on it, the factory setup can give good service and be a LOT cheaper.

I would recommend doing the whole system at one time. No amount of linkage and hydraulics replacement will make up for a loose steering box. Since you already have replaced some of the suspension and linkage, this will be a plus when you have the power system done. You've made a good start.

 

[jhbus]

Thanks for the input guys~!