Steering sugestions?

[triostang]

Hi I havent really posted in stangnet in a while and usually dont because I rather search everything. anyways. I was hoping someone could shed some light and tell me of any upgrades to my steering without going crazy like rackand pinion.

any good rebuild kits i should know of?

I have a 72 with power steering by the way.

 

[Pakrat]

Basically the answer is no. The old power steering does not really get any better than it is. You can tighten up the play a little but it will always eventually leak and feal a little loose. R&P is really the only upgrade worth spending time and money on.

 

[triostang]

yeah but... they dont exactly have a bolt on kit for 71-73 mustangs

 

[yeloxr7]

Well, there aren't any rack-and pinion conversions for the earlier cars that work decently for a reasonable price either........

 

[triostang]

might not be a super cool expensive r&p but what about tcp's bumpsteer kits?

 

[BarnStang]

THat will only help if you have a bumpsteer problem, which I doubt you do. What exactly do you want to improve in the steering? THe 71-73 has a pretty decent ride compared to the earlier models. Just replacing the various parts will make a big improvement. Renew the whole front suspension. You could use urethane parts, which would give you better handling, but at the cost of a harsher ride. (Not recomended for the street). ALso, check the idler arm. Make sure it's not worn and sloppy. THat will put a lot of slop in your steering if its really worn.
New upper and lower control arm bushings will firm things up too if they are worn. How many actual miles on the car (front suspension?

 

[triostang]

well the car steers like if steering a boat on water there is so much play. to stay going straight i would tap on the steering wheel often just a bit to get back on track(wich it does its aligned good)

it does not feel tight at all. any ideas as to how to get it the steering tighter?

 

[Pakrat]

The play is be due to wear in the gears inside the steering box, the old style worm gear teeth wear over the years creating spaces between them and thus the play that you feel before the teeth meet again to turn. Adjustment of the steering requires two people, but the job can be done in just a few minutes with an open end wrench and a flat head screwdriver.

Unlock the adjusting nut on the box with about a quarter-turn, then adjust the steering using a screwdriver placed thru the center. As one person sits in the drivers seat and turns the steering wheel in slight increments, another person can adjust the steering until the excess play is removed. Just avoid over-tightening the steering-box mechanism, as this may cause binding of the steering.

 

[yeloxr7]

Triostang, what is your daily driver?

Most newer cars have good feel to their steering, and the steering feel of any older car suffers in comparison.

My 69 Cougar with all new steering components, an expert alignment and a Borgeson remanufactured gearbox feels loose and wandery compared to my 2007 Fusion, but I have learned to deal with it. We are so spoiled by cars these days.....

 

[triostang]

my daily is a 73 vert stang with 68 thousand miles. and it doesnt play as much as my 72 thats why i was looking for ways to fix it. plus my dads 66 has manual steering and it feels pretty good going down the road. I will try to do what packrat said

 

[yeloxr7]

Maybe a rebuilt steering box with new tie rod ends and idler arm would be helpful. Also, check the rag joint for wear. Urethane rag joint replacements are available.