Tips for changing steering gear on '72

[jes72mustang]

Your neighbors must love you!

I'm lucky enough to have some awesome neighbors who don't mind my cars (which aren't loud at all) and my friend's cars that come over (one guy has dumped straight pipes)!


I haven't had any complaints yet. I just try to make sure that I am not loud at the wrong time of the day. Of course the lady right acroos the street is a nurse that works 3rd shift at the hospital. I think her bedroom is on the back side of their house though. Hopefully I won't make any enemies. I guess I could cut down my tailpipes and get the mufflers back on before I bleed the system.

But I do want to hear it open header just a little bit.

 

[jikelly]

How's that box?

 

[Stanger007]

How's that box?

Good I think...

Dang power steering return hose was leaking. Just got the new hose delivered - it's sitting on my desk now.

If the wife doesn't have plans for me I'll put it on tonite and then rebleed the system. Can't wait to drive the dang car again.

Wes

 

[Stanger007]

Well good news and bad news.

The steering is MUCH improved - bled the system and took it for a long drive... drives and steers great.

Only problem is that it's noticeably harder to turn to the right than it is to the left. I wonder if I got a bum gear.

Ideas?

Wes

Wes

 

[ForceFed70]

Sound like a problem with your control valve.

 

[yeloxr7]

Sound like a problem with your control valve.

On a 72???

The gearbox on a 71-73 has the hydraulic assist built in. Hoses from the power steering pump connect directly to the larger steering gear on these cars.

 

[Stanger007]

I think it is something with the gear box - nothing else has changed w/ the system - it turned left to right easily before.

I'll be looking everything over this afternoon and triple checking that nothing in the steering is binding.

Wes

 

[Stanger007]

UPDATE.

I rode to the store today and the gearbox is much smoother turning to the right than it was last nite... it still feels a bit tighter than turning to the left.

I didn't get to really go over the steering with a fine toothed comb this afternoon (strut bar came in for the '95 so I /had/ to put that on).

I did take the Mach 1 to the store however and noticed the improved steering feel.

Hmm... I'll see if I can get to it tomorrow afternoon and also check the powersteering fluid to see if I need to add any more. At this point I'm tempted to leave the gear in - it feels like it's breaking in?

We'll see how it is by the weekend.

Wes

 

[ForceFed70]

On a 72???

The gearbox on a 71-73 has the hydraulic assist built in. Hoses from the power steering pump connect directly to the larger steering gear on these cars.

Control valve inside the steering box??

Those wacky 71-73's. Sounds like a better idea actually...

 

[Stanger007]

Well good news... the steering gear seems to have loosened up and did great today - it's been steadily improving each time I drove it... today it was great.

Thanks everyone for their help!

Next project is changing out the heater core - I saw a couple drops of antifreeze on my passenger side floormat!

Wes

 

[yeloxr7]

Control valve inside the steering box??

Those wacky 71-73's. Sounds like a better idea actually...

Yeah. Too bad it won't fit in the earlier cars.

 

[Stanger007]

A quick update on the box... it's 100% fine now. All is good.

Also this is the first time ever that my car is leaking NO fluids whatsoever.

Wes

 

[jes72mustang]

I finished up my P/S swap and header install on Friday. I only drove the car enough to back it out of the garage to clean up, but everything seems to be good so far and I dodn't think I am leaking and P/S fluid now either.

It was a fun job, but I am gald it's done.

 

[jikelly]

GLad to hear your box turned out cool

 

[Stanger007]

Still no P/S leaks on mine either - drives great... drove the car to work this week.