The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Help With GM Power Steering Question

Any help with this question would be appreciated. I have a 54 Chevy p/u with a boxed frame and a 1979 Monte Carlo subframe. This subframe has the 79 Monte Carlo steering pump and a (Brand New) Monte Carlo steering box. I believe both are Saganaw. Nothing is sloppy in the steering parts but with this pump the steering feels overly sensitive when driving down the road. I would like to get more of a road feel from it. I beleve positive caster is about as much as I can go, or is there a limit to that?

My Question: I heard that there is a way that the spring in the pump can be shortened, which is not suppose to allow as much pressure in the line? I believe someone told me once that this was a fix that was used to get more of a road feel and to eliminate the overly sensitive feel in the steering. There is no sloppy play in the steering, just steers way to easy. Also, someone is suppose to sell this spring but I don' know who? Any help about this would be appreciated.

You can change the pump pressure by installing additional washers in the pump control valve. This is a common practice when using a GM pump with a Ford rack or a Toyota PS conversion which run on less pressure. This is likely not your problem in this instance. A GM pump and Saganaw steering box are compatable so you probably don't have a pressure problem. There are several steering boxes available, some of which have a very fast ratio. They are generally used in Camaro's and other performance vehicles. The fast ratio boxes have about 2 1/2 turns lock to lock. This ratio is probably to fast for your truck and may give you the symtoms that you have described.
Fred

I know I've seen kits to use GM Pumps on Rustang 2 racks that drop down the pressure. Pressure Kit
I believe you can also open up the pump and cut the spring instead. You may also have to add an adapter to drop down the flow rate. Flow reducer

The Spring or Kit mod, drops down the pressure but does not slow down the flow (GPM) rate that might also be effecting the steering. I've heard of guys using either of these solutions or both to get a better feel, that's the extent of my knowledge on it though hopefully that will get you in the right direction until someone more knowledgeable can jump in and correct me or fill in more info. Another option might be to give the guys at Borgeson a call or email, I bet they'll know just what you need to do (Ie.. what they can sell you). If you go that route be sure to check back in and let us know the solution.
Steve
"Mongo"

There you go Fred, beat me to the submit.
The fast ratio box sounds like a good possibility too..

Just to add to the above, the Shim kits are pretty inexpensive ( $ 15 - $ 20 ? ), and very easy to install. Might be the first thing to try before getting into more complicated fixes.

I ordered a shim kit for $21.50. Guess I will try that first. If this does not work, may have to find a Chevelle box or something.

Some of the Saginaw boxes are "variable ratio", with a very fast response just off the center point, then a slowdown of steering response for parking, etc. near the ends of the steering gear travel. This is done with a taller center tooth on the sector gear in the steering box. If you can find a constant-ratio steering box instead of a variable one, you'll probably solve your problem without having to tinker with pressure or fluid flow.
Jerry

welcome to the vague feel of the early G-bodies with over-assisted steering.

I'm not clear what your concern is - road feel and/or not enough resistance ? Or the vehicle responds too quickly for very little input?

If the former, then follow the pressure reducing suggestions above.

If the latter, you say you've got full caster, so you've done that in the right direction, I'd check your toe-in. If it is too little toe-in or actually toe-out, that will tend to make it over-responsive as you might be describing. This is what it is often done with road race cars to make them turn in aggressively. Great on the road course, but unstable in a straight line.