We own a 37 Buick street rod. The front end is a 78 Monte Carlo clip. The problem is, it's got a 605 style power steering box in it. In 78, the Monte Carlo came with 2 different steering boxes, the 605 (which has the round cover on top held in with a snap ring), and the other one is the standard 4 bolt square cover steeing box. The 605 is famous for having a loose feel going straight down the road. I am constantly correcting the wheel back and forth, this is a inherant trait of the 605. Forget about adding caster, toe etc. I've gone that route, it still has a terrible feel. You can move the wheel back and forth around 2 inches without any movement of the wheels. I want to change steering boxes, but here's the problem. I don't have the room. I need a box around the same size as the 605 or go to a rack and pinion. The 605 has been used many times because of it's small size, but I hate the was it feels. Does anyone know if there's a power rack and pinion that will work, or a small power steering box that is the same size or smaller than the 605 box? I can't find a company that lists a power rack and pinion for a 78 Monte Carlo.
I found this-any help? http://www.powerhouseperformance.ca...id=111&zenid=01f2d512274f88b7baf1fc3530a97d79 And, kind of a discussion here: http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=42070#.U6BJSna4P85
First I have heard of the 605 box having such an obvious inherent problem. I am interested to know more about that since I had intended to use a 605 in a space limited application. Can you refer me to other sources of information on this subject?
The 605 is a really crappy design, but mainly it just wears out quickly. Did you put a rebuilt box in it and see how it works? Rack and Pinion steering is a completely different setup than a normal steering gear, of course it was not avaiable in Monte Carlos back in 1978. It was used in the later model front wheel drive Monte Carlos, but they're front wheel drive. If you want to do a little trouble shooting, install a manual gearbox in place of the 605. they're about identical as far as size and pitman shaft spline, they have a less "tight" ratio.
I was a tech at a GM dealer from 1985 till 2010 and the 605 was always thought of as a light duty unit . But , if your car wanders and the frt end is in correct alignment and you have good tires I would say your box is worn out as only a small percentage of customers wandering problems were ever corrected by a gear replacement , and those that were corrected were due to high wear. A good 605 box that is tight will likely take care of your problem.
I did the research about 6 months ago. I just Google'd the 605 steering box and started reading random forums and there was a lot of complaining about the 605 box. A few companies sell modified 605's and there's complaints about them. I've put 2 bebuilts in, and there the same.
I was wondering why the major companies don't have a rack and pinion that would be the right width, so it would work. I don't mind welding in the mounts for the rack etc.They have them for Camaro's, Chevelle's etc.
I've had 3 steering boxes total in the car. They're rebuilts from my local auto supply. And all of them were loose from day one. When the company rebuilds them, they probably don't replace the gears inside.
When the engine is off, there will be some play in the steering wheel. That's how the spool valve works, there's a torsion spring, and when you turn the wheel the spring deflects, opening the spool valve, which sends pressurized fluid to one side of the piston, which helps steer the car. With no pressure, the piston won't move, and you'll feel play. How much play is there in the steering wheel when the engine is running? and is there any play in the column? How is the geometry of the front subframe installation, is it tilted?
they now make a vega power box that should fit nicely. look for the ad in streetrodder I believe its about $300.00 not bad
With the car running there's about and inch of play in each direction. The car tracks pretty good going down the road, but if you hit a groove or ridge in the road it will go either left or right. The one thing I did notice is when the car is cold it's tighter and when the car warms up it will get looser. I was thinking about running a thicker fluid than ATF in it. It would not bother me at all except on the highway at speed, it sucks when the car will drift to the left or right according to the road when you're driving 80 MPH. Like I said, this is the 3rd rebuilt I've had in it, and all the reading I've done on-line indicates it's normal for the 605 box. The front end is clipped and it seems straight. I'm going to check on that power Vega box also.
3 boxes and it still wanders the same, makes me think your barking up the wrong tree. Tires like squirrel suggests, maybe borrow a set off another car. Maybe take it to a good alignment tech and get him to drive it and look it over. A true example, the 2003 ford f250 that we use as a shop truck was always known as a wandering beast, everyone that drove it commented on how it wandered Last fall we changed the finally worn out firestones for a new set of michelins Wander was gone
I may be wrong so sorry in advance but i heard a jeep grand Cherokee box works on gm cars. Hope this helps Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It has radials on it, we've owned the car for 20 years and it's steered like this from day one. I've tried everything, tires, front end alignments, I'm 99% sure it's the box. I've got to switch to a rack and pinion or a different style box that will fit. I'm going to look into that power Vega box. I would prefer a Rack and Pinion if I could find one that would fit a 78 Monte Carlo front end. I appreciate all the suggestions you guys have given me. But I've tried almost all those other routes.
Like I suggested earlier, try a manual box, see if it handles ok. That would rule out the power thing, and might be a cheap thing to do, depending on your scrounging abilities.
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