mustang power steering driving me nuts

[rcodecj]

     I've about had it with this p/s on my 69 mustang. I would like to keep it but so far I have replaced everything, and most things twice. Too bad you can't buy original Ford parts anymore. The latest is the p/s pump leaks from the seal, a brand new Cardone (crap) rebuilt pump. I actually had them order 4 of them to get a decent one and then it worked for 250 miles and is now leaking. I really wanted to keep the p/s on this car but I'm on my last straw here. I have dealt with a seller on Epay called Chockostang before, real nice guy, and he's got a real nice looking pump, even has the right numbers. I am thinking of buying from him as a last resort, then I'm done.
     The other issue is the slack in the control valve unit. I'm going to drive the car tomorrow and see if the control valve slack is something I can live with. I did make it better by adding caster to one side to make it pull to one side ever so slightly, it did help. If it's acceptable I might buy the chockostang pump.
     The last resort will be taking the p/s off and adding a p/s to m/s converter, I've installed a bunch of them and they work quite well. If I do that I might add Hooker headers, as part of the reason I used cj exhaust manifolds was stock look, ease of use, and I did not want to use one of those p/s extension brackets on the slave cylinder.

[jayb]

After fighting with the power steering in my 68 Shelby for over 10 years, I finally gave up and switched to a manual steering box.  One of the best things I've ever done LOL!

[cammerfe]

You might change to R&P steering and a late-style pump.

KS

[garyv]

This A1 Cardone stuff is  pure junk!  I bought one of their pumps years ago for my 78 F 150 from Advance because
of the warranty.   It never worked.  after taking it back 3 times and replacing it.  I finally went to
NAPA and got a pump. This was before NAPA got cheap and started using A1 Cardone stuff. Put it on, put fluid in it, and in 10 minutes it was like new.  Same pump was
on it for years till I changed to a hydroboost set up.
Their brake stuff is unfortunately no better but I think they are about the only outfit that remanufactures this stuff now.
I would do what Ken said and go to a rack and pinion if you can afford it.
garyv

[machoneman]

Hey, I like the r&p idea as well but I'd only go that route if other major chassis mods were contemplated.  I also swapped out my '70 Mach 1's p/s system for the correct drag link and rebuilt fast-ratio SMB-K
box. Hadn't even driven the car (got it in pieces) but I remembered well for even new 'Stangs I drove back then that overboosted, floaty feeling most Ford p/s systems had. It wasn't terribly bad but compared to a manual box, the manual was many shades better for handling work. 

[ScotiaFE]

I have a Flaming River box in the Stang. Butter smooth.

[rcodecj]

Well, I contacted Borgeseon to see why their 999021 p/s kit does not fit a big block, we'll see what they say.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BRG-999021/

I like the TCP rack and pinion setup, but their instructions show possible grinding on the lower control arm inner bracket mount. I don't like that.
Also it looks like there might be interference with my Moroso pan on the back, but don't know for sure. Lastly it wouldn't look stock at all.

I found some slack in my idler arm, I contacted Opentracker to buy a roller bearing idler arm from him. Then I'll drive it again and see how I like it.
Sometimes it doesn't drive too bad and then other times I feel the slack in the p/s.
Thanks to all who commented.

[rcodecj]

Borgeson just e-mailed me and said:
"The headers on the big block prevent the steering box from fitting in the car.  If you have headers that are smaller than the factory manifolds, the box might fit."
I said I had 428 cj exhaust maifolds. He said:
"I’m sorry, I meant to say factory manifolds.  The box does not fit with the factory manifolds."

So I guess Borgeson is out. Meanwhile I ordered a roller idler arm from Opentrackerracing. I talked to John, he's a real nice guy. I have the roller perches on my 67 and really like them. Eventually I would like to try the uca's, lca's and the strut rods.
http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/products/

I also found a place called stangersite that has good reviews and may replace some of my Flaming River parts from him and have my steering box and original control valve and power cylinger rebuilt.
They certainly have a lot of good info on their site:
http://www.stangerssite.com/steering.html

If none of this works, then I have tried my best to keep it original and will either take it off or investigate the TCP rack and pinion further.
I should be able to try the roller idler arm in a few days.

[rockhouse66]

I also found a place called stangersite that has good reviews and may replace some of my Flaming River parts from him and have my steering box and original control valve and power cylinger rebuilt.
They certainly have a lot of good info on their site:
http://www.stangerssite.com/steering.html

If you Google this guy, you may find that he does good work but that it could take months/years before you see your parts and you won't be able to get him on the phone until he is good and ready.  I don't have any personal experience, but just a heads up as I have seen quite a few posts elsewhere about this.  Your mileage may vary 

[rcodecj]

I also found a place called stangersite that has good reviews and may replace some of my Flaming River parts from him and have my steering box and original control valve and power cylinger rebuilt.
They certainly have a lot of good info on their site:
http://www.stangerssite.com/steering.html

If you Google this guy, you may find that he does good work but that it could take months/years before you see your parts and you won't be able to get him on the phone until he is good and ready.  I don't have any personal experience, but just a heads up as I have seen quite a few posts elsewhere about this.  Your mileage may vary 

There's always a catch. Do you know if he sells stuff outright without sending a core?

[rcodecj]

   Well, I just installed my roller bearing idler arm from Opentrackerracing.
http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/idlerarm/
I bought two, (he gave me a discount) one for the 69 with p/s and one for the 67 with manual steering.
I will say he does  do quality work. I have roller spring perches on the 67 and they were also excellent quality. Anyway I took a drive with it on, not expecting it to change the steering much, although my old idler arm had some slop in it. I could not really tell that it steered any different, but steering overall is not too bad.

   But, I am thinking after comparing the old rubber vs new bearing style that maybe it might help some to make the manual steering easier.
He advertises that it does make it easier to steer but my question has always been how much. Now I'm thinking maybe it would be  noticable.
My plan now is to change the 67 to the roller bearing idler arm and see if steering effort is affected by much. If it helps a lot, maybe I'll change the 69 to manual steering.