66 Satellite - going from power steering to manual

[Garceau]

While doing a bunch of other work. Seriously considering going to manual steering.

Currently, even with a solid front end build it has that sway in the steering wheel and honestly just seems too loose. It doesn't appear to be caused by an issue. But just seems how I remember a few of my previous cars tracking down the interstate.

So options would be a complete different PS unit. But somewhat leaning towards a manual.

But my concern is the column it's my understanding the column is different lengths.

So just looking for options and opinions

Is there a good conversion kit? A good steering box?

 

[R413]

Old days (30 years ago) they sold an adapter to lengthen the PS column to reach a manual box. The splines size is different PS vs manual.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Why. If your not tracking straight PS isn't going help. Check alignment. PS box can be adjusted, screw on top. Read service manual first.

 

[Don Frelier]

I have rebuilt boxes from steer and gear in both cars.
They offer different modified assist levels.
Give them a call.

 

[66 Sat]

I would check your alignment, camber, caster and all the ball joints and bushings. Tires too.
If still an issue I'd look at the rebuilt boxes suggested above or the Borgeson unit.
Going back to manual you could still have the same slop but with steering that's a real pain in the *** when parking.
I had manual steering on a 351 Falcon and honestly it was a nightmare to maneuver at low speeds, and I was 25 years old and strong. On hot days I'd be sweating parking that thing, it was workout all right.

The manual boxes are much lower geared too so you'll be twirling that wheel like the captain of a ship.

 

[AR67GTX]

If you do decide to go manual steering, I have a 66 manual steering shaft and a 66 manual coupler that I would be willing to sell. I just finished converting my 66 to PS. Personally, I would stick with the PS.

 

[Don Frelier]

Do you have a swaybar on it?

I added one to mine, a definite improvement.

 

[OneWheelPeel]

I would check your alignment, camber, caster and all the ball joints and bushings. Tires too.
If still an issue I'd look at the rebuilt boxes suggested above or the Borgeson unit.
Going back to manual you could still have the same slop but with steering that's a real pain in the *** when parking.
I had manual steering on a 351 Falcon and honestly it was a nightmare to maneuver at low speeds, and I was 25 years old and strong. On hot days I'd be sweating parking that thing, it was workout all right.

The manual boxes are much lower geared too so you'll be twirling that wheel like the captain of a ship.

I would not switch a PS car to manual but a manual B body is not that bad. Maybe it’s different with the Falcons, but I’m way past 25 and not all that strong and I don’t have a problem effort wise, the slower ratio is a little annoying though.

 

[Garceau]

Why. If your not tracking straight PS isn't going help. Check alignment. PS box can be adjusted, screw on top. Read service manual first.

It tracks very straight. The steering just feels sloppy. Bushings are all good. Just has a weird deal. My brother even commented on it and he builds drag cars.

The wheel just kinda rocks back and forth. Hard to explain and may not be getting it across correctly.

 

[66 Sat]

I would not switch a PS car to manual but a manual B body is not that bad. Maybe it’s different with the Falcons, but I’m way past 25 and not all that strong and I don’t have a problem effort wise, the slower ratio is a little annoying though.

It will.depend on the tires to some extent. I had 235/60 15's or something similar and on a hot summer's day reverse parking was a ball ache.
I love that Mopar 1 finger power assist. My Satellite feels great with power steering, very little slop, factory box. All I did was remove the column, clean out all the old grease and re-pack. I think the OP has some other issue.

 

[440 PHIXX]

I recently saw this.

 

[AR67GTX]

You may need to check that the box is on dead center when the wheels are straight ahead and then tighten up the steering lash adjustment on the box some. But there are many suspension and steering wear points that can lead to loose steering.

 

[OneWheelPeel]

It will.depend on the tires to some extent. I had 235/60 15's or something similar and on a hot summer's day reverse parking was a ball ache.
I love that Mopar 1 finger power assist. My Satellite feels great with power steering, very little slop, factory box. All I did was remove the column, clean out all the old grease and re-pack. I think the OP has some other issue.

I agree on on it being tire dependent to some extent and that he probably has some other issue. My front tires are a 245/60, maybe I have really favorable caster or something. Or I don't know my own strength!

 

[khryslerkid]

I recently saw this.

Calling out Joe Zolper on this one. The taypered part of the shoe goes towards the outside of the housing not the flat.

 

[RemCharger]

You are right. But that's not the point he was making. It was about the width of it, not which side faces out. Not sure why he was so hasty he couldn't show it properly.

And that's Joe, not Freiburger.

 

[khryslerkid]

You are right. But that's not the point he was making. It was about the width of it, not which side faces out. Not sure why he was so hasty he couldn't show it properly.

And that's Joe, not Freiburger.

I stand corrected, Joe Zolper. Heck I even met him in person. Somewhere between looking up the illustration and posting it flipped in my brain it was Freiburger.
Thanks for the heads up.

I don't even remember if the shoes would go together with the flat towards the outside. Might be too tight. I get what he was saying. They will have a bit of play installed 180*.

I'll edit my post.

 

[hunt2elk]

I had a 69 Charger with power steering that I ran 245/60/15's on the front. Everything on the front end was new and I bet I had it into the alignment shop 10 times. I couldn't stand the way it drove. It would wander and had the deadspot at 12:00. I figured it was the wide front tires contributing to the issues, but who knows.
I have always liked Mopar manual steering better than power and even converted my Bee to manual. I run PST 20:1 boxes on both my B bodies and think that is about the perfect setup, in my world anyway.

 

[AR67GTX]

I would have been OK with the manual steering on my 66 Hemi except for our side loading garage which requires a sharp 90 degree turn to enter it. It’s just a little too tight to make it in without having to do a 3-point maneuver and that’s a lot of tugging and pulling with the heavy engine and 235 tires on the front. I bought a Steer and Gear PS box (stage 2 I believe) and so far I like it. I highly recommend Steer and Gear after this experience with them. I was shocked they gave me a $200 core credit on the old, worn manual box. I wouldn’t have given $50 bucks for it.

 

[AR67GTX]

I’m thankful for this thread. I knew my steering coupler was upside down. The 66 FSM doesn’t have zip about anything with the steering coupler or its installation. I it didn’t dawn on me until later that the divot on the coupler was intended to line up with the divot on the column which lines up with the blind spline on the box. So my wheel was upside down. I was in the midst of correcting that with the column on my bench when this thread and video popped up and I thought hmmm, wonder if I put my shoes back in correctly in the coupler.

So I grabbed the shaft with one hand and the coupler with the other and sure enough there was a little tiny bit of play back and forth. Popped the cap off and sure enough I had installed the shoes sideways, 90 degrees out. So fixed that and put it all back in. Hard to believe how nice and tight it is now with the Steer and Gear rebuilt box, properly indexed box/column/wheel and properly assembled coupling. Feels like a new car.

Thanks Guys.