55.2-59 Power Steering

[dennislbrooks]

I know some of you have been here before on converting a 55-59 to a non rack power steering but I would like to know if you actually had much of a tire rub problem and where you relocated the shock.

I run 15 x 8 wheels with 31 x 10.50's with a 1 inch spacer and it appears I would have to try hard to get a rub.


I am awaiting a pitman arm and u joint -- 3/4 DD x 3/4 - 30 spline for fitment before welding in the steering gear mounts and final location of the steering column and shock. I used the original column - modified.

[Clarance J]

Hello dennislbrooks. I did the PS conversion on my 55.2 several years ago. So far all is well. No tire rub at all. As for shock relocation this is what I did. Both shocks need to be relocated. Hope this helps.

Earl

[dennislbrooks]

Earl, thanks for the pics and info. I take the only reason you moved the right is to use the spring shock plate on the left side - thus changing both sides. If you look at where I have temporarly placed the moved left plate ---if my u-joint does not interfere--- may not be a problem and work fine ---maybe. If the u-joint interferes, I will have to move both shocks for sure.

I do not know if the new pitman arm will interfere or not. Another item to check when I get it.


My old steering arm will have to be trimmed.


What lower steering column mount did you use?

[Clarance J]

My column is not stock. In 1975 I put a tilt column from a 1969 GTO that I found in the junk yard. I had to fab an adapter from the column to the old stock steering box. It was tough to steer but I drove it like that until 1994.

The lower mount this time around is just an 1/8th aluminium plate around the column on the inside bolted through the floor. I hope that is what you are asking about?

Earl

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by Clarance J

My column is not stock. In 1975 I put a tilt column from a 1969 GTO that I found in the junk yard. I had to fab an adapter from the column to the old stock steering box. It was tough to steer but I drove it like that until 1994.

The lower mount this time around is just an 1/8th aluminium plate around the column on the inside bolted through the floor. I hope that is what you are asking about?

Earl

Hey Earl, who did your carpet in GP? I want to get mine bound like that. Oops, sorry for the thread hijack.

[Clarance J]

Hey MPC. The carpet was a remnant left over when I had my ramp and front porch recovered. The binding is just gray felt that I bought at Plaza sewing. All the sewing I did myself. I'm sure any upholstery shop in town could do it. I don't charge myself for the labor though.

Earl

[dennislbrooks]

Yep

[dennislbrooks]

The steering gear u- joint does hit my shock placement so I will have to move both shocks.

[Clarance J]

Yeah, in your picture it doesn't look like there is enough space for two objects. Let us know how it goes.

Earl

[BlouDon]

Has anyone tried using the power steering system from a Corvette on their Apaches?

It just seems to me that it MIGHT be an elegant solution using that system that has a seperate control valve and piston. I have been chewing on this idea for some time but have not researched it in detail.

[dennislbrooks]

Do the 6 degree caster shims for power steering tip the front axle forward or backwards?

Thick part of shim to the front or rear of front axle?

[57tailgater]

Originally Posted by dennislbrooks

Do the 6 degree caster shims for power steering tip the front axle forward or backwards?

Thick part of shim to the front or rear of front axle?

Thick part to the rear as you want to tilt the axle rearward. See second picture in post #2 of this thread.

[dennislbrooks]

Well, I did not give in on the shock relocate yet. Instead of using the stock top shock plate I just used flat 3/16" plate and used 3 existing holes in frame to mount it. I have better than 1/2" clearance on all maximums. To change shock, the steering u-joint on the steering gear has to be disconnected - easy.


I do have another fitment for the clearance hole location on the inner fender which may put an order on the assembly.


The extra hole in the fabbed shock mount plate is because it was the only piece of 3/16" plate I had.


I do have to still put on the caster shims so it was not like I do not have to deal with leaf u-bolts and I am not saying that this is any better. Maybe I will not have to change the u-bolts . I will post a pic of completed inner fender install when I get that far.

[dennislbrooks]

Just a couple more pics of inner fender. I will remove the outlined on the shock mount then paint edges and put it back together.


Then move on to something else on it.

Did you guys use 4 or 6 degree caster shims?

[Clarance J]

Hey dlb. Shock mount looks good. If the parts don't touch each other you are good to go.
I went from stock to 4* on my PS conversion.

Earl

[dennislbrooks]

The factory had 2 degree shims which I removed and put in 6 degree. Except for taking it to get it aligned I may be done.


But now that I have an externally mounted power steering gear, I may swap out to my dana 44 in the future and complete a 4wd conversion.