Power Steering to Manuel question

[prpony]

My 65 FB has all the power steering hardware except for the pump and cilynder. Power steering has never worked under my ownership. It's pretty much a very hard manual. My question: would swapping the power steering center link to a manual center link make it any easier to turn at full stop? If not, what would? I drove a friends 66 manual steering today.... it was so easy.

 

[mikec35]

A steering box used on a manual steering car has a different ratio which would make it easier to steer. You should first check your tie rods both inner and outer and your idler arm to make sure they are not stiff. Also check your air in your front tires... If they are all good and your steering is still very stiff you could get a manual steering gear box and that would reduce the # of turns that your steering wheel has to make to affect the front wheels, thus reducing effort. If you are still using your power control valve you need to eliminate it by getting the kit sold at some mustang suppliers or getting the proper pittman arm and center link.

 

[prpony]

The control valve is there but is not in use (the hoses have been disconected). I have a manual center link I can purchase for $40. from a local stanger. Would this be better then to buy the kit? All tie rods are recently lubricated, tires have proper pressure.

 

[stanger53]

It would be better to replace your centerlink with a manual link than to use the adapter/conversion setup. Even the adapter setup has some clearances and play in it.

You do not have to change the pitman arm, idler arm or tie rods to do this.

This will probably make the car easier to steer than it is now because you will have all the play from the old ball stud out of the way.

And changing from a power steering ratio box (16:1) to a manual steering ratio box (19:1) will increase the number of turns that your steering wheel has to make to affect the front wheels

 

[prpony]

Thanks guys. I visited your website Stanger53, It was very helpful. I purchased the manual center link and will install it soon. I will eventually replace the whole system to manuel as parts wear.