What is the steering ration on F-BODYS! my camaro sucks when I have to bust a U-TURN.... sometimes on the street I have to back up real fast and then go and peal out before the cars coming arrive!... is there a way to make it better or is it just my car?? also my sway bar end links/bushings are all messed up could that have something to do with the poor turning ratio?

 

Its not the ratio, its how far the spindles turn. they wont turn any sharper no matter what steering box is in there. the spindles hit the A arm then stop.

 

You're talking about the turning radius. The cars with 16" wheels don't turn as sharp as the ones with 15" The lower A-arm had different stops so the wheels won't rub on the chassis. You just gotta live with it.

The steering ratio is how many times you have to turn the steering wheel. The standard steering boxes were around 14:1 while the performance suspension option usually got 12.7:1 or 12:1 ratio box.

 

damn!!!! ehh... thanks for the input guys!

 

does this mean i should be able to put a z28 or iroc Box in my 1986 berlinetta to improve the handling? will it tighten the wheel?

 

Yes, but you will also need to swap the flow control valve on the back of the power steering pump to match the ratio of the steering box. Otherwise it may be difficult to steer.

 

Typical GM power steering box turns stop to stop in about 3-1/2 turns. A quick ratio box is around 2-1/2 turns. An S10 manual box is 7 turns.

Not sure how to calculate the ratio from those numbers. I suppose you need to know how many degrees the wheels turn from stop to stop.

 

You don't know how good you have it until you try and turn a Mustang of the same era. Three point turns are usually five or six!

 

Doh! I guess I should read all the replies. The topic isn't about steering ratio. It's about steering radius.

Ya. What everyone else already said about hitting steering stops.

 

It's all in the technique. Turning radius can be significantly decreased by simply taking the wheel to near-lock (I always hate running up against the stop and burying the pump on the pressure relief valve) and judiciously applying a little right pedal. If your posi is working correctly, a ThirdGen should be able to just about turn around on itself.

There. Isn't that easier? Parallel parking? Well, that's a little bit differnet, unless you're really an accomplished fishtailer. Oh, I forget. The kids are calling getting loose "drifting" now, aren't they? I wonder what the current term is for a tight car...

 

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