I had a 2" dead spot at the on center position and mechanic said it was the steering box. I bit the bullet and had him replace it and it solved that problem. Now the steering feels too easy all over the range like it is more boosted.

I counted the turns and it is 2.75 turns lock to lock. Kinda between what I searched on this board and found.

Do I have the wrong rack? I never did count my old one from turn to turn.

its a 1991 Z28 convertible so it should have the quick box.

 

Is it a re-manufactured box? I have heard nothing but horror stories out of re-manufactured boxes. You should have the quick ratio box with it being a Z28. I would ask for the model number from the box that was put in and if it was re-manufactured.

 

2.75 turns is appropriate for the 'performance' box. The other box is 4. It probably just steers easy because the old one was gunked up with varnish and the seals were shot.

 

Where r u all buying ur steering boxs from? I wanna replace mine

 

You probably HAD the quick ratio box (12.7:1) and replaced it with a different ratio. The 14:1 box is much easer to turn. As far as how many turns you can go from lock to lock, that is set from the factory depending on the tire size your car came with. It has nothing to do with the gear ratio. I just went through hell with my gear box. The bearings in it were going bad so I couldn't get a front end alignment. I looked at replacing it but none of the parts stores could tell me the ratio of the box they were selling. I decided to rebuild it instead so I could keep my 12.7:1 box. Anyone looking to rebuild or replace I recommend Red Head Steering Gear. They eat sleep and breath this stuff. I had to order some wrong parts before I found them and got it straightened out. As far as the dead spot, there's an adjustment screw on the top of the box that will tighten that up. Hope this helps someone.

 

I just adjusted mine, seems tighter. I still have my stock box & also had about 1.5 of play. Now looks to be gone. I will drive it tonight & post an update. Thanks for the adjustment screw advice!!!

 

Update: Feels a bit tighter. I assume that I turn the screw clockwise to lessen slack????

 

There's a procedure for it. I can't seem to find it right now. You hold the stud in place with an allen key and loosen the nut. Then tighten the center stud until it is snug, there is no need to crank on it, just make it snug. Make sure the nut is backed off enough so when you tighten the center stud you dont end up tightening the nut back down to the housing. then you back the center stud off 1/4 or 1/2 turn... I can't remember which. then tighten the nut back down. There's torque specs i can't remember and I believe it is better done with the box removed from the car. I've adjusted mine while it was on the car and had no problems. I hope this helps.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...665-post2.html

The adjuster on top of the box may fix everything- just make absolutely sure that it doesn't feel tight or dead on center. If you can't get it right with the allen wrench adjustment in car, pull it out and do the bearing preload (part 2) adjustment, THEN the popular over center (allen wrench) adjustment. The in car adjustment doesn't always get it.... probably doing mine soon.

 

theres a discussion on this site about just adjusting that top bolt and it causing the box to get worse very quickly.that happened to me.