what steering boxes fit '89 GM?

[formulabird428]

My P/S box has a crack in it (at the high pressure hole fitting). I need to replace it and don't feel like spending ~$175 for a new box and pitman arm (I'm sure mine needs replaced...208k miles).

Ideally, I'd like to just get everything as one unit - pitman arm / steering box / steering shaft. What years fit/models the '89 GM?

Thanks!

[sly]

survey says... (looked up applications on Rock Auto)

1991-1987 Ford Country Squire
1986-1981 Ford Country Squire
1980-1980 Ford Country Squire
1991-1987 Ford Crown Victoria
1986-1980 Ford LTD (Full Size)
1981-1980 Lincoln Continental
1983-1980 Lincoln Mark VI
1989-1981 Lincoln Town Car
1991-1983 Mercury Colony Park
1982-1981 Mercury Colony Park
1980-1980 Mercury Colony Park
1991-1980 Mercury Grand Marquis
1982-1980 Mercury Marquis

[Andypot1985]

Have fun changing that, I have done it before.

[351m]

That sarcasm I smell? Undo the tie rod from the pitman arm, unbolt the steering shaft, pry off with a pry bar, then its 2 lines and 3 bolts. These cars are nothing, try a 4.0L Cherokee...

[gadget73]

its not that hard. Biggest problem is the weight, but if you stick a jack under it for it to rest on while you unthread the bolts, its not really a problem.

You can fit a later model box if you modify the line and the coupler a bit. Bolt-on though you're more or less confined to boxes.

[1990LTD]

its not that hard. Biggest problem is the weight, but if you stick a jack under it for it to rest on while you unthread the bolts, its not really a problem.

You can fit a later model box if you modify the line and the coupler a bit. Bolt-on though you're more or less confined to boxes.

What's the idea behind swapping to a later steering box? Better design? Reliability? Performance? I know you've got a CVPI steering box in Galactica and I've been wondering about it for a while.

[87gtVIC]

I am thinking it is quicker turning ratios. Something I am interested in but unsure of how things exactly have to be adapted.

[1990LTD]

Yeah it sounds like something I would like to do but I know S.F.A about steering boxes.

[gadget73]

stiffer steering, and slightly better ratio. Mostly stiffer steering for less of the granny pinky steering feel though.


Pressure line needs some work, and the coupler needs a little work. 90-91 cars I think can use the lower shaft off an aero for a drop-in mod, earlier ones have to cut up the rag joint and rebuild it with a mix of parts so it fits proper. Nothing major though.

[Andypot1985]

Its not too hard, but it is heavy and bulky

[formulabird428]

Changed the box. I'm not sure the exact car it came from, but the box is TIGHT. Steering is much better than prior to the original box cracking. All I know is that the replacement was around the same age as mine. I paid $60 for the box.

Everyone was pretty much spot on. The hardest parts were getting the bolt off near the firewall (just took a long time, not many spins on a wrench and my socket/ratchet wouldn't fit), and dealing with the weight of the box...especially trying to locate it to the 3 bolt holes. I ended up using screwdrivers as "pins" to locate it.

Thanks for the help!

[gadget73]

you shouldn't have to undo the bolt near the firewall, just remove the bolt at the coupler on the box itself and push the coupler rearward and off the box. The slip joints do tend to seize up though, so sometimes thats a bitch to actually do.