Steering box identification

[87 Grey T]

I'm removing a steering box out of an 87 Regal T and just wondering anyone knows if it is a quick ratio steering box by the #'s or stamps on the box? I'm going to be replacing it with a Cardone 276550 and not sure if I'll need the different pitman arm yet.

 

[69hurstolds]

Casing numbers usually won't tell you what is inside as all the internals can be swapped on these rebuilt units. If it's ink-stamped YA or something, then yes. If you know it's original to the car, check the trunk SPID sticker for "F41". If so, yes, it's a fast ratio. The cardone ones? It just depends on luck of the draw. If you're getting it locally, make sure it's about 2.5 turns lock to lock while still on the counter before you buy it. Nothing worse than getting a sloppy ratio after turning in your old unit.

Your pitman arm should be fine as is if you're swapping your 800 series box (4-bolt side cover like your original) with another 800 series box.

If still in doubt, rebuild your original, or get it rebuilt. That way you know what to expect.

oldsofb made some very good youtube videos of him rebuilding his gearbox.

Here's the first video to get you started. There's a few during his rebuild. Go get 'em.

 

[87 Grey T]

Casing numbers usually won't tell you what is inside as all the internals can be swapped on these rebuilt units. If it's ink-stamped YA or something, then yes. If you know it's original to the car, check the trunk SPID sticker for "F41". If so, yes, it's a fast ratio. The cardone ones? It just depends on luck of the draw. If you're getting it locally, make sure it's about 2.5 turns lock to lock while still on the counter before you buy it. Nothing worse than getting a sloppy ratio after turning in your old unit.

Your pitman arm should be fine as is if you're swapping your 800 series box (4-bolt side cover like your original) with another 800 series box.

If still in doubt, rebuild your original, or get it rebuilt. That way you know what to expect.

oldsofb made some very good youtube videos of him rebuilding his gearbox.

Here's the first video to get you started. There's a few during his rebuild. Go get 'em.

Thanks. I just watched those series of about 5 videos, I've been reading and they all say the same that it's hard to tell from just the casting #'s on the outside of the box because the insides could be different. Ill check the turns from center and lock to lock tonight. I'm almost positive the box has not been changed. I have done the adjustment from the top but not one from the end of the steering shaft. I might just pull it and see what difference that adjustment makes. Thanks.

 

[69hurstolds]

Sometimes when you start jacking with them they'll leak because the seals are old AF. Luckily, rebuild kits are fairly cheap for these boxes and nearly all the units share the same rebuild kit, with little or not differences. Although you do have to be careful of mxing the shiny and dark balls, or if you get all one color it's easier to reload without having to count, depending on the box. But if you watched the videos, you already know all that junk.

 

[69hurstolds]

You can get the rebuild kit with bearings under p/n GATES 350430

They pretty much have the same kit everywhere for around 20 bucks. If you have some basic tools and an adjustable spanner wrench, you can do it! 🙂

 

[87 Grey T]

I was just looking at that kit earlier. I'm going to try and adjust it now. Can the adjustment to the rear of the box be done also with the front wheels of the ground? Or does the box have to come out? All videos if seen had the box removed and I understand that it would be the right way to do it. It is less than 3 full turns lock to lock and almost 1 1/2 turns from lock back to center. So I'm pretty sure it is a quicker ratio box.

 

[87 Grey T]

Got it out,cleaned up and adjusted, going to paint it tonight and install tomorrow. It tightened up about 30° then I backed it up a 1/2". It was marked with a "YA" on the front round cover if that means anything .

 

[JAMCAR223]

YA is a quick ratio box.

 

[87 Grey T]

YA is a quick ratio box.

Thanks. I remembered over the years the YA meant something on the front of the box.

 

[Rt Jam]

Count the steering shaft turns, lock to lock.