Okay F-body experts, I need your help!

I have a '92 Camaro RS (305 TBI) and recently I replaced the steering box with the GM factory reman (part # 88991244 ~ the quicker ratio one). The old box had too much play. After the swap, the play is gone, but the steering wheels is very very light. Witht he car idling, I can turn it easy with 1 finger. I did tighten the adjustment set screw (NOT cranking it all the way of course) but almost feel no difference. It's getting uncomfortable to drive the car above 50 mph in Michigan pot-holed roads since the steering is too light. What should I do to make the steering effort a little firmer? Anything I did wrong? Is there a different power steering pump (less pressure) or adjustment valve?



Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

 

The steering effort is controlled by a torsion spring inside the box. Yours may have been remanufactured with a lighter bar. I've never personnally taken a box apart so I can't help you there but it should be possible to make the swap.

I wouldn't recommend tightening the adjustment set screws as overadjustment will cause wandering and steering overcorrection and wear out the box faster.

If you've got a warranty you can always take it back and try another...I'd do that first.

 

More caster and stiffen your front rebound settings if you have them.

You were probably just used to the old box with the current car setup and you had to pull on it harder- time will adjust your driving style.

 

Add Caster. That will tame it some. I would do this first.

 

I bought the same steering box. On the paper that comes with it, it says very clearly in large font "Please resist the temptation to adjust our steering gear units, All units are preset at the factory and do not need to be adjusted." I really would not have messed with it. I have not driven my car yet since I am still rebuilding the suspension and brakes but I hope it doesn't have "Cadillac steering". I really liked how the firmness of the old steering box but it had to much play so I had to replace it.

 

Yeah, I was recommending taking it back for fear that it had been over-adjusted and this was causing some of his drivability problems. Other than that, the other points are valid.

 

Thanks for all of the advices! I am actually getting a new box since I found out (right after opened this topic) that the box was leaking (from the cover), luckily covered under warranty. After that I will get my car aligned (way overdue). So I'll let you know how it feels after the second box swap. Thanks again and if you have any more suggestions I would love to hear it.

 

Ah, finally I got a change to replace the steering box again. After iinstalling the 2nd box, the car feels totally different! The steering effort is nicely weighted, no slack, no pulling. I think I got a defective box before ~ luckily covered under warranty.



Thanks for all the advices!

 

It's not too uncommon to get a bad box. Thanks for letting us know how it turned out.