SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: Dalton on February 06, 2020, 02:37:49 PM

Title: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Dalton on February 06, 2020, 02:37:49 PM
So..... it's been a while since I've been on here. I haven't driven the car much lately but I'm itching to get some things fixed up and ready to go before spring rolls around.

All of the steering linkage on my car is the original stuff and it floats all over the road. I have all of the parts to replace the old worn-out stuff and I was wondering if I should replace anything else while I'm doing the linkage.

I like to get my parts from missourimustang.com (http://missourimustang.com) since they are about 20 minutes from my house.

Any suggestions?

Thanks all!
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: BGlover67 on February 06, 2020, 02:55:48 PM
I'm sure lot's of folks will chime in, but I'd like to suggest Chocko Mustang of Illinois (http://www.chockostangclassicmustang.com/) to rebuild your steering box.  They did an amazing job with one of mine, and the turn around time was one week including shipping both ways from North Carolina.  Amazing Job.

https://imageshack.com/a/mZVl
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Dalton on February 06, 2020, 02:57:36 PM
Quote from: BGlover67 on February 06, 2020, 02:55:48 PM
I'm sure lot's of folks will chime in, but I'd like to suggest Chocko Mustang of Illinois (http://www.chockostangclassicmustang.com/) to rebuild your steering box.  They did an amazing job with one of mine, and the turn around time was one week including shipping both ways from North Carolina.  Amazing Job.

https://imageshack.com/a/mZVl

Awesome. I'll get in contact with them. Thanks, Brian!
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: KR Convertible on February 06, 2020, 03:03:15 PM
If you are going to replace parts, you may want to post pictures here and find out if they are assembly line parts before tossing them.
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Dalton on February 06, 2020, 03:09:10 PM
Quote from: KR Convertible on February 06, 2020, 03:03:15 PM
If you are going to replace parts, you may want to post pictures here and find out if they are assembly line parts before tossing them.

Will do. I'm definitely not going to toss anything. Anything that comes off of the car gets stored away and will be rebuilt if possible.
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Shelby_r_b on February 06, 2020, 04:30:09 PM
Quote from: BGlover67 on February 06, 2020, 02:55:48 PM
I'm sure lot's of folks will chime in, but I'd like to suggest Chocko Mustang of Illinois (http://www.chockostangclassicmustang.com/) to rebuild your steering box.  They did an amazing job with one of mine, and the turn around time was one week including shipping both ways from North Carolina.  Amazing Job.

https://imageshack.com/a/mZVl

+1.  They are extremely good, knowledgeable and timely. 
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: 1967 eight barrel on February 07, 2020, 03:10:17 AM
Well, once again some of us learn from our experiences.

Dan at Choco isn't a wise choice for steering boxes.  Not a guess, but personal experience. Pulling a box out of a Big Block Shelby with headers is a nightmare.
Rode's Restoration. 
(419) 468-5182
Bob Gaines will tell you the same.  Randy even has the ability to test your control valve after rebuilding and center it on the bench.
Those of us who actually do most of our own work have learned many lessons the hard way.
                                                                                      -Keith
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: BGlover67 on February 07, 2020, 04:55:06 AM
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on February 07, 2020, 03:10:17 AM
Well, once again some of us learn from our experiences.

Dan at Choco isn't a wise choice for steering boxes.  Not a guess, but personal experience. Pulling a box out of a Big Block Shelby with headers is a nightmare.
Rode's Restoration. 
(419) 468-5182
Bob Gaines will tell you the same.  Randy even has the ability to test your control valve after rebuilding and center it on the bench.
Those of us who actually do most of our own work have learned many lessons the hard way.
                                                                                      -Keith

Wow, funny because I've spoken with atleast two other people who had great experiences.  Would you care to ellaborate further before you trash the guy?
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: JD on February 07, 2020, 08:34:02 AM
I have used Roger Rode, turn-around is quick (he's been doing these for decades) be sure you talk in advance that you want your parts redone not "exchanged" mark your parts and be clear you want your parts back.  (He can be a tad moody at times other times an angel).

He also makes hoses - but I believe they are double crimp (assembly line was single crimp only an issue if your going Division 1)

Be certain to use Ford Type -F fluid in your system,
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Bob Gaines on February 07, 2020, 08:40:39 AM
Quote from: 1967 eight barrel on February 07, 2020, 03:10:17 AM
Well, once again some of us learn from our experiences.

Dan at Choco isn't a wise choice for steering boxes.  Not a guess, but personal experience. Pulling a box out of a Big Block Shelby with headers is a nightmare.
Rode's Restoration. 
(419) 468-5182
Bob Gaines will tell you the same.  Randy even has the ability to test your control valve after rebuilding and center it on the bench.
Those of us who actually do most of our own work have learned many lessons the hard way.
                                                                                      -Keith
Kieth, I think you have me mixed up with another . Although I don't use them for box rebuilds I do not have any reason to think they don't do good work as your post imply's.
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: 1967 eight barrel on February 07, 2020, 03:27:51 PM
Brian:
My box was rebuilt without proper machining of the gear during the rebuild. The box would bind and didn't have the same count of turns left to right.  I don't comment unless I've had a rough experience with a particular individual. Especially If I have noted a pattern over the years.. Nothing worse than paying to have something done two or three times.  I believe Jim also uses Roger Rode as well.
I have had a few jobs done more than once because they were done incorrectly. It's frustrating, often a lot of work and expensive. I don't pay others to do most of my work except specialized items I don't have the specialized tools for. AKA Steering gear, Steering Control Valve, and Differential.
I did the rest of it.
                                                                                                                    -Keith
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: roddster on February 08, 2020, 11:20:27 AM
  In my experience with early Mustangs:  The first place to look is the Idler arm bushing for loose steering.
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Bob Gaines on February 08, 2020, 12:05:52 PM
The steering box is the last thing people typically restore and after 50+ years is typically bad with the grease clay like or rock hard. The idler arm is next then tie rods and control valve on PS car.
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Kent on February 09, 2020, 05:23:52 AM
Roger Rode is the man if you want a good rebuilded Steering Box, he did mine and its better than the flaming river boxes that I have here.
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: 1967 eight barrel on February 09, 2020, 05:56:18 AM
He welds them and re-machines them into tolerance, Kent. That's why they work right and return to the center. He also has a bench hydraulic pressure unit and test the control valves and cylinders after he rebuilds them.
                                                                                       -Keith
Title: Re: Steering Box/Linkage Replacement
Post by: Kent on February 11, 2020, 06:06:38 AM
Yes thats what he told me also, and he has a good knowledge about the differences of every box they did in the 60/70s what I really like on him that he is a typical oldschool mechanic who has a lot of knowledge and he learned in his life how to do it right. There are not many people out there who can rebuild stuff with this quality.