1968 Problem Solved!!

[robert campbell]

I have found the way to fix my power steering problems!!! Remove it!!! Flaming River man-u-al for Rob. No hoses, no problems!! Cleaned up oil spray from the header tonight. Header back in, steering box secured and hope to button up and put on her feet tomorrow!

Maybe a power rack and pinion later! Cut cut, whack whack! Make um how you want um!!

Rob

 

[CougarCJ]

Rob, don't rule out a manual rack.

I have driven a 1967 with the power rack and pinion. Like the stock system, too much power assist.

 

[obwan93001]

Haahahhaa. That is certainly one way to go Rob! Now the cut cut thang... Oh yea, do um how u want um!

I thought of doing the same after I'd rebuilt my PS system a few yrs back and accidently reversed the two small hoses at the control valve. I think the look on my face when I started her up to check for leaks was something like :icon_pani then it was like . After I turned it off and some head scratching wondering what the f I f'd up I was more like :surrender. At that point I thought of just getting the PS to manual adapter thingy and pulling out all the PS crap and be done with it. Then after posting somewhere I got the "LOL, been there, done that" answer with the solution, just reverse the hoses and you're good. Did that and am still enjoying the PS today. She does have a slight drip (the car Rob! the car!!) but I was told it is cuz I used the newer universal clear PS fluid that expanded seals and is causing the leaks. When the Mustang Owners Club of CA had their annual resto clinic the guys at Mustangs Etc told me all I had to do was flush the system and fill w/ATF and it would stop leaking after a bit.

But yea man, I can see many reasons why lots of owners pull the OE PS system out. Glad you reached a favorable solution Rob and don't have to deal w/that old PS system any longer!

 

[earlymustang]

New power steering

Have you heard about the new power steering set up that is a power steering box and pump with two hoses only? You use manual steering center link and replace your steering box with a power unit and run two hoses to the pump and you’re done. No more burnt hoses on the exhaust and no more leaking ram or control valve or hoses under the car. I know Scott Drake and maybe others sell it. I personally have only seen the system but have not yet tried it but I am waiting for my friend to finish his so I can drive it. This is also better than that rack and pinion system that you need to modify and cut up your poor old Stang that will cost your $1000s.

 

[robert campbell]

Have you heard about the new power steering set up that is a power steering box and pump with two hoses only? You use manual steering center link and replace your steering box with a power unit and run two hoses to the pump and you’re done. No more burnt hoses on the exhaust and no more leaking ram or control valve or hoses under the car. I know Scott Drake and maybe others sell it. I personally have only seen the system but have not yet tried it but I am waiting for my friend to finish his so I can drive it. This is also better than that rack and pinion system that you need to modify and cut up your poor old Stang that will cost your $1000s.

went on-line! This looks interesting!! Thanks!!

 

[Ruppstang]

I looked in to that system when we were putting Craig's car together. It looks like a real nice answer to the old Bendix system. We opted to wait due to the cost and not being able to drive it first. I think Mustangs Plus was going to handle it. If someone here does it I would really like to hear all about it. Marty

 

[robert campbell]

Rob got tired of crawling under his car. Took it down to my front end guys and said Idon't want it back until it steers ok... Sort of...

Going to put the rubber strut rod busings back in. We talked castor at length yesterday. As the strut rods adjust the castor, they are toying with dialing in a bit more positive castor. From what I have read, positive castor can make the steering a bit more heavy feeling. Maybe that will help?

Man this is killin me. Can't seem to find anything loose under the car. My paint guy called and it is off to his shop tonight to fix the present I got in a parking lot!!

Suzuki runs great! Val's Fastback is spot on!!!

Rob

 

[CougarCJ]

Rob, there are two different pitman arms. One for manual, and one for power steering. Did you change the arm?

 

[robert campbell]

Yes sir. Actually the pitman arm "must" be changed to go from power to manual. Unless you buy the adaptor.

Went down to Firestone and picked up my car. They said the alignment was "way out" and realligned it. The only thing I changed was the drag link and idler arm. New steering box and pitman arm.

The only thing that could have changed was the toe in or out. Caster and camber would not change..... Starting to lose faith a bit. But they have always done me good.

Car is at the painter. Should get back tomorrow. On the drive over, the darting to the left is gone. Only does it to the right. I ordered in some new Moog strut rod bushings. I will change those which could change the caster.

One thing I have heard is to have the steering box at the center when it is going straight. Sounds like a duh, but mine is out about 10 minutes on the clock. When I get it back, I will make them center the steering to the steering box.

This is killing me!!! Sun came out, rode Suzuki. Man does it run great!!

Rob

 

[obwan93001]

Sounds like you're getting closer to solving this mystery Rob but at least you're enjoying riding the Suzuki! Been itching to get back on my big red pig, haven't ridden in a couple of weeks.

Oscar

 

[admin]

Have you heard about the new power steering set up that is a power steering box and pump with two hoses only? You use manual steering center link and replace your steering box with a power unit and run two hoses to the pump and you’re done. No more burnt hoses on the exhaust and no more leaking ram or control valve or hoses under the car. I know Scott Drake and maybe others sell it. I personally have only seen the system but have not yet tried it but I am waiting for my friend to finish his so I can drive it. This is also better than that rack and pinion system that you need to modify and cut up your poor old Stang that will cost your $1000s.

Member tworings was telling me about this at Fab Fords this year. They seem to have done some research into it. Rob, you might pick their brains too.

 

[robert campbell]

So I know this will sound lame, but after getting the dent fixed and finally getting the GNS down to my local Firestone, we found the problem. And I could have and should have seen it earlier...... Someone should slap me….

With the car not on the alignment rack and up on a hoist with the front end hanging it was easy to see. Both lower ball joints with less than 1k miles on them are completely shot. The left one is the worst I have ever seen. It moves back and forth in the socket at least ½ an inch. With the weight on the suspension of course you do not see it.

I went back in my records and they (of course) are older than I thought since purchase. With old age, everything seems to blur together. I installed them in late 2007. But again, no way should they have failed this soon. Yes, they are full of grease. In retrospect, This problem has been slow in coming. Not immediate like I thought. As the ball joints got worse, so did the steering.... "Rob gets fooled again"!!! Sounds like a song.....

Well on a positive note out of all this is both cars are now manual steering. So both are ready for a Borgeson Integral power steering conversion. The Borgeson conversion needs a manual drag link and pitman arm, which both cars have now.

Val hates her cable clutch, so the next two projects are a hydraulic clutch for her and power for both cars. I will put the power steering on her car first!!

By the way, I treated myself to a Father days present (not here yet) of 4 special ordered backspaced Cragar S/S 15 inch wheels. 15X7 for the front with 4 and ¼ backspacing. 15X8 on the back with 5 ¼ backspacing. These will move the tires in as close as you can go on stock suspension. Tires are not bought yet.

Hope to have all this done by July 17th!!!

Rob

 

[Ruppstang]

Ya Rob!
You found it! Darn new parts that go bad. You know it can't be that because its new.
I am glad things are turning around for you. Marty

 

[franklinair]

Curiosoty: What brand of ball joints?

Neil

 

[robert campbell]

Lower control assemblies were from a Mustang supplier. Do not know who built them.

Car drives like a dream now!!! Boy did I spend some money foolishly..... I refused to believe new parts could be defective.

I will have Neil slap me at my BBQ for being so stupid...

Rob

 

[rvrtrash]

I will have Neil slap me at my BBQ for being so stupid...

Rob

The line will form at the right. :grin:

Steve

 

[robert campbell]

The line will form at the right. :grin:

Steve

Join in..... Pain will help Rob remember next time!!!