1952-59 Ford Electric steering rack for 59?

My manual box has a worn sector shaft. I'd really like PS and it seems that this would be really great if it's possible. Would make for tight steering and have some ***ist.

All the electric ***isted steering units I see used on cl***ics go inline with the steering shaft, don't want to do that as it still leaves me with the sloppy box.

Seems if someone has a donor rack, I could build the steering linkage etc.

Maybe it's not possible, and I should just look at the Borgeson box?

 

Have you looked into having your original box rebuilt? I had the box sent out and replaced everything except the ball joints. With the bias ply tires I can easily steer mine with one hand/arm almost all the time.

 

Isn't the '59 front suspension/steering the same as the '57? We have a guy who makes the ps rack conversion kits for '57's. (he's the one who made my kit 12 or so years ago). A friend recently purchased a kit from him, and it hasn't changed but a 100. in those 12 years..around 1100. for the kit. It uses a Chevy Cavalier rack. I can give his contact info if wanted.

 

I've seen the 80s Cavalier rack conversion.

I'm not completly set on changing to a R&P, just that seems it would give me a quicker ratio and have a power option as well. I like the idea of an electric ***ist, as my only acc space under the hood will be dedicated to A/C at some point.

 

I think in 58 Ford went to ball joints and recirculating ball steering. So 57 would be a bit different, although it may all really be the same otherwise

 

'57 had ball joints, and the recirculating ball steering box is what you want to replace with R & P...correct? As mentioned, I just don't know if Sparky's kit fits the '59. His telephone: 815 742 6365 John Starks, S & T Fabrications

 

First year for ball joints in a Ford sedan was 1954. (1955 in Canada)

56longroof - who did your steering box rebuild ?

 

There are some new cars with electric racks, Fiat 500 / New Dodge Dart for another. The problem is the computer to run the electric motor. Some of the Japanese and Korean cars use a stand alone electric power steering on the column with a module (computer) that will work by itself in a "fail safe" mode but I don't know of a electric rack that will do this. I do believe there is an aftermarket company building an electric rack kit for some cars but can't say who. Big engineering project to get some of these racks adapted and not end up with bump steer or a poor turning radius. I have a Borgson for my 55 but have not installed it yet due to header clearance issues and frame modifications. There was just a post recently with a bunch of information on the Borgson, most I know that installed one have been pretty happy with the way the car drives. Even if you got your standard 59 box rebuilt it has a slow turning ratio and a lot of turns lock to lock. Everything has a trade off!

 

Redhead Steering Gear. They did a great job on it.

 

ABS in Orange Ca. Lists complete rack and pinion systems for Fords. They may also do electric ***ist. Their principle products are brakes but they have put modern PS in many cars including a friends 57 Thunderbird.