Steering Gear replacement, Tips and Pics...

[blanz]

Had a need to replace my old, worn steering box in my S-10 and fiqured I'd upgrade to a faster ratio box at the same time.
While not going into a lengthy How-to, the following couple of pictures gives some tips and torque values to do the swap.



Setup new unit for dead-center as shown below after finding the rough center by counting rotations from lock to lock and dividing in half.








The new Monte box feels great with better on-center feel (read that as no slop) and quicker turns. Funny thing is, it was cheaper than an actual ZQ8 box when I was pricing them at Rock Auto, and this unit was an AC Delco unit and not an A-1 Cardon POS.

[1s152nv]

You make some helpful threads, keep em coming.

[4point3]

Does 4x4 has the smae steering box as 2wd? Mine is worn out and I want to change it for ZQ8 box. Will that be possible? And thank you for this thread.

[blanz]

Quote: Originally Posted by 4point3

Does 4x4 has the smae steering box as 2wd? Mine is worn out and I want to change it for ZQ8 box. Will that be possible? And thank you for this thread.

Rock Auto shows different part numbers for the 4WD box.
I don't believe they are the same, but hopefully some 4WD forum members can confirm this difference.

[1BadElky]

You can use a 2wd zq8 box on a 4x4. you just have to keep the 4x4 pitman arm

[tt85_GM]

quicker ratio than a ZQ8 box? by how much?

[BudRacing]

I just checked the price on RockAuto and it's $185.99 + $25 core. O'Reilly's ZQ8 box is $160 + $100 core. So if you're going to keep the old gear, then rockauto is cheaper, but if you're not, then O'reilly's is cheaper.

[bg's]

You really want to make it a sweet turning setup, do
the pump mod as well. I did the YA box and pump mod
a couple years back and it was / is nice. Steering is
easy to turn and short lock to lock. Being the lazy ass
I am, it has worked out well..

http://jeffd.50megs.com/Pump_valve_mod_page.htm

I also made up a new intermediate shaft using a telscoping
shaft assy from Borgeson and u-joints from Flaming River
ending the rag joint and tulip joint. Makes everything nice.
I've read that guys are using Jeep shafts to make it up
for much less than I spent.

This is a really nice write up you did. Glad it worked out
for you.

[blanz]

Quote: Originally Posted by bg's

You really want to make it a sweet turning setup, do
the pump mod as well. I did the YA box and pump mod
a couple years back and it was / is nice. Steering is
easy to turn and short lock to lock. Being the lazy ass
I am, it has worked out well..

http://jeffd.50megs.com/Pump_valve_mod_page.htm

I also made up a new intermediate shaft using a telscoping
shaft assy from Borgeson and u-joints from Flaming River
ending the rag joint and tulip joint. Makes everything nice.
I've read that guys are using Jeep shafts to make it up
for much less than I spent.

This is a really nice write up you did. Glad it worked out
for you.

b,
Thanks for the link to the flow control valve mod. Funny thing, I did this same type of a mod to my Integra's PS pump to reduce boost a while back.

After changing out just about everything on my steering (except the int. shaft), the steering is still much too light for my taste (especially when driving my '06 GTO one day and the truck the next).

Would swapping out just the spring in your reference post reduce the boost going to the box?

Thanks in advance...
Bill.

[bg's]

Oh. Possibly just the opposite, Bill. The mod reduces
the effort it takes to turn the wheel. I believe you're
after a more "resistant" for lack of a better term or
a remedy that would afford you more effort in turning
the wheel of your truck, if I'm understanding your
query correctly.

Were there a way to reduce fluid pressure going to the
gear, that would increase resistance, but I don't know
if shimming the valve or a different spring would do so.

However if anyone WOULD know, it would be Bill Mullins.
He has a steering shop in Az.

http://mullinssteering.carshopinc.co...rers_id/303829

[bg's]

Opps. Forget that link regarding Bill. >

Mullins Steering Gears
(928) 505-3055
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403

Here's some of his work.