Steering Upgrades

Im looking to replace/upgrade components of my steering system. I've been looking at the Borgeson steering shaft. also and i want to replace or upgrade my

steering box. I have a little play in the steering and i was told it was due to the steering gear box. Ive done the Saginaw pump conversion using a pump from a

1984 E-150. Would it be much of an upgrade if i used the steering box from a econoline van too? Any suggestions on steering upgrades would be appreciated!

yo,

For some $$$...

Installing An AGR Steering System With Extra Tricks in an 85 (all pics are gone)

by Eric T (Eric 6equals8)

This project was embarked apon due to the fact that my factory pump shaft had about 1/4" Play in it. The seal on the gear box output shaft was leaking so bad that I was losing about a pint of fluid a week. I figured since I only wanted to do this once, I had better to it right. I called AGR Performance Steering. They make the best. I also plan to add a MileMarker hydraulic winch.

The pump puts out 3.4 GPM @1500 PSI. That is about twice as much flow as a factory pump at that pressure. The pump and box both use high temp Viton seals and the best bearings avaliable. The pump is ported out and the impellers are modified. The box containes many mods that allow for tires over 35" tall. I installed a Magnafine filter that goes inline of the return hose. It is a normal filter with a magnet inside. There is also a safety bypass incase the filter clogs up. I topped the whole thing off with a cooler.

read more @ http://replay.web.archive.org/20020201214900/http://www.users.qwest.net/~ejtachell/Bronco/Steering/Steering.htm

A pump conversion is one thing, but changing steering boxes can be tricky. Not all boxes have the same ratio. This could cause a drivabality problem with the vehicle. I'm not sure about the Econoline boxes. Maybe someone else on here can speak to whether the ratios are the same. If play is the problem, the boxes can be adjusted to remove play.

First be sure all your steering parts are in good shape. If you are sure the play is in the box, loosen the locknut on the top of the box, and turn the allen head ***** clockwise slowly. Do this with the engine running, box preasurized, and turn only 1/4 turn at a time. Hold the allen ***** in place and snug the locknut Check the play and repeat if needed.

Trying to adjust too much play out can damage the box, but if the play is that bad, then the box needs replaced anyway.

Good Luck

stone crusher ttb steering linkage. google it and email Anthony Terry - 300 dollhairs

B-Co Kid said:

Im looking to replace/upgrade components of my steering system. I've been looking at the Borgeson steering shaft. also and i want to replace or upgrade my

steering box. I have a little play in the steering and i was told it was due to the steering gear box. Ive done the Saginaw pump conversion using a pump from a

1984 E-150. Would it be much of an upgrade if i used the steering box from a econoline van too? Any suggestions on steering upgrades would be appreciated!

Click to expand...

Just a quick question. By play in the steering, how far do you have to move the steering wheel before the tires move? When I initially did the Saginaw conversion I had to get use to the senitivity of the steering. My bronco steers easier at a stand still than my wife's Mazda, ie. I can turn the wheels at stand still with one finger. that initially took a little getting use to but I love a Bronco that handles like a sports car /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> .

Good luck,

>-

Seabronc said:

Just a quick question. By play in the steering, how far do you have to move the steering wheel before the tires move? When I initially did the Saginaw conversion I had to get use to the senitivity of the steering. My bronco steers easier at a stand still than my wife's Mazda, ie. I can turn the wheels at stand still with one finger. that initially took a little getting use to but I love a Bronco that handles like a sports car /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> .

Good luck,

>-

Click to expand...

The biggest problems that i have is that my B-Co wanders when i drive it. if i do very minimal quick turns of the steering wheel, left to right, when driving, the truck still goes straight. I guess the response from the steeing is not what it should be. Also, when i drive on dirt roads, the rattle and vibration of the steering column and steering wheel is extremely intense. I figure it has to be a combination of the steering column and the gear box. I read that the trac bar could cause those problems, but the guys that installed my lift said my trac bar and i guess the associated bushings were ok. as far as with the conversion, the steering is much smoother, but thats not my complaint. my rig was doing the same thing with the original power steering pump on there, referring to the degree of non-responsiveness.

There is some wander that comes with tires that carry heavier preasures, or larger tires with alot of sidewall flex.

Sounds like your box needs adjusted,as I described in an earlier post. You need to also check the shaft connections, and take a good look at the frame where the box is attached. It is known to crack and allow way too much flex. That could also explain the shaking on rough terraine.

Cnanging a power steering pump will not change the responsiveness of the steering. That is all built in the box, and is effected by the stiffness of the steering linkage and suspension components. ( worn parts and soft bushings= sloppy steering)

You also said you have a lift. If that also means you have bigger tires, you may need to add a steering stabilizer.

Be safe and do all the checks.