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#1
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"What did I do wrong ???
I changed the power steering box in my 67 FB yesterday. The box I took out is a 4 turn box and the box I put in was a 3 turn box. I pulled the car on the ramps with the wheel straight, disassembled everything leaving the pitman arm (curved) attached to the center link. I centered the new box and mounted it, the pitman arm didn't line up exactly, so I turned the input shaft a tiny bit to get the splines lined up on the pitman arm and then it went on okay. Now the car turns a lot more to the left than it does the right, and the steering wheel isn't centered anymore. Is this a center link/tie rod adjustment ? The steering wheel is about 1/2 turn off. Also how hard is it to change the input shaft seals? I can just put my old box back in if I stop it from leaking.. Thanks for any help !
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#2
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yes. the pitman arm can only go on one way. measure tie rod to tie rod distance on each side. they should be close to the same. after that, remove and check the steering wheel. there is a line scribed that should be the top. adjust the steering wheel to be straight after everything else is centered. i've done this swap on both cars, and my 'bird was way off. i wondered why it was easier to get into a parking spot on the left and not the right, and the steering radius was the answer!
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John J. |
#3
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Yah, it's great turning to the left and taking out yard ornaments turning right !
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#4
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i bet your tie rods are close on one side and far apart on the other!
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John J. |
#5
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I am hoping that's it. Tomorrow morning I will check, if that's the case it'll need aligned after balancing everything out so i might as well make the appointment.. thanks, tom
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#6
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The same thing happened to me on my 66 Lemans, I swapped in a WS6 box and the car hardly would turn to the Rt. Had to adjust the tie Rods to center it. Funny how you don't notice the condition with the slow 4 turn box.
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Jeff R 60 Jaguar Mark 2, 3.8L Automatic 67 Sprint Firebird 230 OHC-6 4-Speed A/C 78 Catlina Safari, Pontiac 400 powered 77 Astre Formula, 215 Buick V-8 T-5 73 Lemans Safari, 400 4bbl 4-speed 71 Catalina Enforcer, 455 4bbl 06 Mallet Solstice #024 LS2, Now with a Tremec 6060 6-speed! 2012 F-150 Echo Boost (My local Ford Dealer SUX!!!) 2020 Dodge Charger Scat pack (recovered) |
#7
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I never adjusted tie rods how do I go about it ? I know I will still have to get it aligned, but at least it will be close. I will say that the 3 turn box feels nice, almost too fast.
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#8
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To adjust the tie rods you need to loosen the two tie rod adjuster sleeves (4 bolts). Put some penatrating oil in them so they turn a little easier. You need to turn them both in the same direction and the same distance to keep the toe in close. Make an adjustment check the wheel, if its closer continue in the same direction, if not go the other way.
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#9
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a string across the front to rear tire face will help align.
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#10
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I lucked out today ! The guy I go to had time today to get it adjusted and do an alignment man it's nice. He even let me out the door for $40 and he gave me a t-shirt...Thanks for the help.
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#11
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very nice! steering wheel straightened, too?
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John J. |
#12
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I did the steering wheel when I got home. Finally another project out of the way.
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