P/S gearbox swap

[ymyhere]

OK, I have searched the old posts and didn\'t see anything so please no \"IT\'S BEEN DISCUSSED HERE A MILLION TIMES\" if It has I couldn\'t find it.

I have a 1991 S10 with a LT1 and am using the S10 power steering gear box. My steering wheel is 3 compleate turns lock to lock and I have a box from a 1987 TransAm that is 2 turns lock to lock and I would like to swap. They look identical except the pitman arm is longer on the TransAm. Anyone done a swap like this and did it work?

Thanks

Gary

[Scotty_S-15]

My first thought is......... probably not, but just maybe they are the same ratio, and longer pitman arm is what makes the lock-to-lock difference....?

[85350DROPTOP]

The stops are typically internal to the box. So pitman legnth would not matter ther. Assuming you are hitting the boxes stops. I think it has been discussed and F-boy boxes as well as A and G body are all the same. I think. Space would know for sure. He is really on this stuff.

[racer1182]

it will work just use the S10 pitman arm.

[ZR1BLAZER]

On 2005-12-16 14:53, racer1182 wrote:

it will work just use the S10 pitman arm.



that is correct. thats what i did. i used the 87 monte ss box and swapped pitman arms. bolted right up and it is a 12:7.1 box so it is only a little more then 2 turns lock to lock. do it.

[redneckgames]

Yes it is a very easy swap. Mine came from a 84 Z28 camaro. Remove the pitman arms from the boxes. You will need a special puller for this. Around here autozone rents them for free. Tighten the puller as tight as you can and then take a hammer and tap the arm were it meets the shaft. This will get it loose. Swap out the boxes, get the wheels pointed straight ahead and turn the box until it is where you think the middle is. Dont forget to do that. A friend of mine couldnt figure out why he couldnt turn left one time after he swapped boxes.

attach the arm and tighten it. Reconnect everything and your done.



I hope this helps

[downtoearth]

Or if possible to make your life easier go to the junk yard and try and find a wrecked Extreme or any S10 with the ZQ8 suspension package and rob the steering box off it. I\'m gonna be doing this in January along with the sway bars!

[Scotty_S-15]

On 2005-12-16 16:57, redneckgames wrote: .................................................. ........... Swap out the boxes, get the wheels pointed straight ahead and turn the box until it is where you think the middle is. Dont forget to do that. A friend of mine couldnt figure out why he couldnt turn left one time after he swapped boxes.

That\'s too funny! I mean, as long as he didn\'t run into anyone..... http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

............. Another reason to be careful about getting the steering box centered and the wheels centered before drawing up the pitman arm is: Some steering boxes have absolutely no internal stops, so if you crank it to the end of its travel, you will damage the steering box. http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_mad.gif

[spacecadet]

Yup! It will work with switching the pitman arms. mark the sector shaft before disasamble. Then put the s10 arm on in the same spot/direction. Really its a simple bolt in.



The Saginaw Gm box won\'t blow apart if you turn it too far.

There is only one I\'ve seen blow apart was a Chrysler manual box.7 turns lock to lock I think. After i rebuilt it, got it bolted in, put the steering shaft on,(upside down). I went to lunch.

Since it was a slow day, the alignment guy thought I was done and hooked up the alingment heads. When he did the caster swing he yanked real hard on the wheel cause it wouldn\'t turn to good and blew the top case off the box.

Once I got back from lunch,I saw him aligning the truck. I figured he had noticed that the wheel was upside down, and he\'d probubly flip the shaft,(assuming he noticed my error and fixed it). But NO, He just tried to muslce it.

Overall, Since I did NOT say \"Hey! This van is DONE.\" the service writer shouldn\'t have told him to touch it AND ultimatley, it wouldn\'t have broke apart!



Space!

[ymyhere]

Thanks for the input, I installed it and did have to change out the pitman arm. Steers like a \"Go Cart\"

Gary

[riotpolice75]

another question. how light is the steering with the quick ratio box? i got the standard power steering box that was stock on my truck and theres literally no effort at all required to steer. is the quick ratio box the same?







smith

[ymyhere]

It\'s just as easy to steer, you just don\'t have to turn it as many times. I\'m loving mine.

Gary

[ReedZ]

I\'ve been contemplating doing this swap for quite sometime.

I have to do this. I\'ve only heard positive things on it.

Time to start shopping for my first spring upgrade.