Hey guys, I'm new on here but ive been searching around on here, google and other forums to try and find a solution to get rid of the soft feel on my steering. I recently swapped the power steering on my 81 el camino to a SS monte carlo unit. Also replaced all the rod ends and linkages on my steering. All new moog parts. But it still feels like my steering wheel is connected to nothing. I want a stiffer feel on my steering and was wondering what solutions there are out there. Im a little affraid i might have wasted my money buying all those new part. Has anyone tried the TRZ rack and pinion conversion? any feed back is greatly appreciated, Thanks.
Steering "feel"
- Thread starter ivan_81g
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You can install a different valve that I believe comes from a Z28 in the back of your pump that will help to accomplish this. Somewhere out there on the net is a page showing the parts you need but I dont have it bookmarked. It was inexpensive and easy to change. This and the addition of a 14" steering wheel accomplished this improved feel for me.
Roy
Roy
I think you have it backwards with the valve if this is the one your talking about. That valve allows more pressure. I have the Z box in my GP which gives you a heavier feel.
"When installing the XH steering box in place of a stock G box, the power steering pump pressure valve (flow valve-alternate name) needs to be changed to one that was used on a Camaro with that box. The higher effort and faster ratio needs a little boost in maximum pressure, and flow, to help it turn smoothly and quickly under all conditions."
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Pump_valve_mod_page.htm
"When installing the XH steering box in place of a stock G box, the power steering pump pressure valve (flow valve-alternate name) needs to be changed to one that was used on a Camaro with that box. The higher effort and faster ratio needs a little boost in maximum pressure, and flow, to help it turn smoothly and quickly under all conditions."
http://jeffd.50megs.com/Pump_valve_mod_page.htm
Thats the one. It definitely improves the feel. But the smaller diameter wheel helped more.
I do have the heavier feel box as well.
Roy
I do have the heavier feel box as well.
Roy
I recently replaced my steering box, power steering pump, center link, pitman arm, and idler arm and I gotta tell you my steering has never been so stiff and there is no play at all in the wheel. Soon I'll be doing tie rod ends, control arm bushings, and sway bar links/bushings.
First off,if there is not a very noticeable difference in the feel of the steering,I would wonder if it is a true "heavy road feel" box. I think an 81 has flared line fittings where as the other box has the o-ringed lines.. Did you have to switch over you lines? Tim
timo22 said:
no, all my lines are still the ones that were already on the car. i recently put tubular upper and lower Control arms and coil overs and sway a sway bar, there is absolutely no body roll on the front end. the steering just feels to soft.
pontiacgp said:
yea i had heard this was the way to go. you have to match the pressure the f body box is supposed to operate with and not the valve the g bodies came with right? i might go this way. I realized the ss monte box only changed the ratio of my steering lock to lock but not the feel. It also widened my turning radius, but i red that has something to do with the pitman arm needing to be changed
I have put the Monte ss box on about 7 gbodys and had to convert to the o-ring lines on everyone.I am not sure but always thought the road feel box only came with those lines. Unfortunately, it is just about impossible to identify these boxes due to the fact that gm used an ink stamp to identify them. I would pull the fitting, valve, and spring off the donor car power steering pump. However, I always did it so I could switch to the o-ring lines.Personally, I do not think that putting the other valve and spring will change anything. The difference is in the box not the pump. If that was not the case, people would not buy the trans am and Monte boxes, they would just convert the pumps. I think you just have the regular box. Tim
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