Hey guys!

I'm in need of a new steering box - too much play in mine.
I've read several responces about different vendors' boxes but i cannot find the one that everyone would be happy about. Some say AGR is the best (so does Hawks), but there are some responses saying that it had play right of the box.
Some say just a rebuilt one from Hawks is good. Lee isn't responding to my e-mail, so i just can't buy from them...

My '86 Firebird Formula is a DD with occasional track days, short ratio.

Would appreciate you vote for whichever!

 

So the 'play' is too much in the gearbox/pitman arm...

What about replacing the original steering wheel with one of smaller diameter?
Would be tighter steering and your problem might be solved.

I just wonder if your gearbox really is the problem, as old school GM gearboxes/front end steering parts naturally have a certain flex and play.

I chased down a customer complaint similar to this one, very many years ago, and replaced the gearbox. Didn't do a single damn thing. Play is built into the steering geometry of these tired cars

 

The steering wheel is already smaller.
I get that this is not a modern car with a steering rack and I'm ready for a fair amount of play, but I know cars and the amount of play in mine is not normal. Why I am sure that the problem is in the box is because I've changed my steering shaft under the hood (for a new one) and the whole steering column for as best used as I could find. Also if you put you hand on the output shaft of the steering box and ask someone to jiggle the wheel as far as the play lets it, you will see the steering shaft under the hood move, but will not feel the corresponding movement in the box.