Steering Box Versions
 

The manual says, "On power steering 1st version, the steering locks are on steering arms or on frame cross member. On 2nd version, the locks are in steering housing. The steering is marked by means of an 'A'. NEVER INSTALL 1ST VERSION OF POWER STEERING INSTEAD OF 2ND VERSION"

This new gear box I just got from the remanufacturers doesn't have an A stamped on it, so I figure it is a first version. I sent them an email asking them about it, and they sent me,

"We install internal stops in our boxes so they are all compatible with the later version. You can verify this by checking the number of turns lock to lock on your box versus the box we sent you. They should be the same (within 1/4 turn)."


Sounds great, but I was thinking that the manual was refering to a full-travel steering lock, not a "car off, key out" steering lock.

Does anybody really know the in's and out's of these things? What kind of "steering locks" are we talking about here?

Also, what would happen if one were to install a first version instead of a second?

On the VERY early cars the external steering linkage (steering arm bolted to steering knuckle) had stops that HIT against the FRAME.

On later cars there wasn't any provision for the steering arm to stop movement.

One has nothing to do with the other. The internal stops in the steering box only limit end travel and have nothing to do with locking the steering in position when the key is removed. The latter function is handled by mechanisms in the steering column and ignition lock assembly.

Since you were asking the remanufacturer about a steering box, it's pretty obvious that they were talking about the steering box internal stops, not the "car off, key out" steering lock. Additionally, applying "... verify this by checking the number of turns lock to lock on your box versus the box we sent you. They should be the same (within 1/4 turn)" makes no sense with regard to the "car off, key out" steering lock.

Exactly what I was thinking.
I am going to exchange for one with the correct markings.

I can only believe that the lock I could be "verifying...within 1/4 turn" would be the anti-theft "car off, key out" lock which isn't in the steering box.

Thanks

Wait a minute. The hand test of your box should be enough. It just limits your turns of the steering wheel so it stops at some point on each side of centre. The salesman is right I think. It also has nothing what so ever to do with your steering wheel lock up.
If those internal stops where not in there or external ones did not exist you could turn your steering wheel continiously in one direction if it was not hooked up. Again if you turn it to one side it should stop after a few turns. When you turn it the otherway it should also reach a stop. Just stop and think about it for a minute or two.

The full travel back and forth will be more than 1/4 turn.

That 1/4 turn of the gearbox might be the allowable slop which translates to 1" at the wheel.

I think I would have to get out the vice grips to actually turn it and move the gears inside.

Do you know what "number of turns lock-to-lock" means? It means you turn all the way to one side until the steering hits a stop. Now, turn the opposite way until you hit the other stop and note how many turns it took to do so. So, if you find it takes 4 turns to go lock-to-lock, then they are saying their box will be within 3.75 to 4.25 turns.

Forget about the anti-theft "car off, key out" lock, OK? :P

Ah, I read that wrong. He said that both boxes should have the same number of turns all the way right to all the way left (or at least really close). Not that it will lock after 1/4 turn.

Thank you for pointing that out to me. I read it wrong once and kept that in my head. I had in my mind that 1/4 turn is all I will get out of it.

Well, I've got that bad flu thing that's going around the East coast and I'm not really all here today either.