66 GT350 Heavy Steering & no self centering

unless all the steering linkage is removed the box is nearly impossible to properly adjust in the car.

Z.

 

Should you remove it let me know how hard it is, from what I can tell with the solid shaft the steering column needs to be removed and then the box with shaft worked out from under the car. With the engine in place it looks like a difficult job. If you remove yours and say it is fairly easy and straight forward I might be tempted to remove mine also and have it rebuilt.

 

I was told by Randy M. of http://www.stangerssite.com/ that it is easier to remove with the drivers seat removed as well.

Z.

 

Actually, it comes out the top. I just removed mine to have it rebuilt. The Ford Shop Manual says to take it out from above. Take the driver's seat out of the car; remove the Pitman Arm from the box (a cheap Harbor Freight Pitman Arm puller will do the job); remove the LH exhaust manifold (I tried to do it just dropping the manifold, but it wasn't quite enough clearance). Unbolt the box, lift it up, and gently guide it past the LH valve cover (not necessary to remove the Export Brace or Monte Carlo Bar. Reverse procedure to install.

regards,

cobrajeff

 

I was under the impression that with the fixed steering shaft (about 42" long as I remember) it had to come out by snaking it through the front. I believe that in 1967 and on the fix shaft was no longer used (probably because of the collapsing steering column) and wound be possible to remove as you describe, but I could be wrong. At one shop they said they cut off the shaft and removed the box similar to the way you describe it and replace the steering box and steering column to the 1967 and up style but I want to keep my original box if possible.

 

as pointed out earlier, the steering box comes out by moving it forward & UP. From the Ford shop manual:

"........18. Lift the steering gear and shaft assembly from the engine compartment by raising the gear up and forward past the engine and spring tower taking care not to soil or tear the front seat fabric with the end of the steering shaft........."

Z.

 

It will come out from above, definitely pull the drivers seat. It is easier on a 1967 Mustang/GT350. A lot of the 67 Mustangs/ Shelby's had the long solid shaft sector box.

Joe

 

Avoid this shop like the plague.

If my dumb butt can get one out the way CobraJeff describes (and I have) anyone can do it.

 

Good information except (and pardon the ignorance on my part but) I do not know what a drag link is or what to look for. I did rebuild my front end including all the tie rod ends, the idle arm etc, was one of these the drag link and I did not know it?

 

Thanks for the clairfication, I agree I believe the problem lies in the steering box or as others have pointed out the lengthened pitman arm and ratio of the steering box makes it harder than even the standard Mustang GT.

When I was much younger I had a 1966 Mustang GT with manual steering and it seemed much easier, of course now I am older and only been driving cars with power assisted steering so maybe I have gotten soft.

 

Thanks for letting us know what fixed the problem. Glad you got it all squared away.

 

who did the re-build ?

Z.

 

Thanks for the update, I plan on having mine rebuilt very soon, we are moving into a new house with a 3 car garage so that should give me some room to tear it down and get it rebuilt.