Steering box

[Fox 0]

I’ve lurked on this forum some for a while. I am finally (51 years old) looking at buying a 69 fastback after my dad sold one he and I restored when I was in high school. Been wanting one ever since. The car is in real nice shape. Seems to have been restored well. It’s not original, but that’s not something I’m particularly worried about. One issue that the seller pointed out before I drove the car is that he felt the steering had too much play in it. Now I know they’re supposed to have some play and it’s been 30 years since I drove one but I felt like it had a little too much play in it also. How do I go about determining if there’s enough adjustment still in it or if it needs to be replaced?

if it makes a difference, it’s a factory power steering car.

[jmlay 80]

Only war t know is to attempt to adjust it. Have all of the other componets been ruled out, tie rods, idler arm, sector shaft arm, etc?

[Fox 0]

The entire front end is new except the steering box. I got a response on another forum on how to fill it full of grease then adjust half turn till it feels right and there’s a small amount of turn in the steering wheel before the tires turn. Assuming I do buy the car I’ll do that.

[Midlife 814]

Be careful: adjusting the steering box adjuster nut more than what is listed in the Shop Manual can damage the worm gear and the bearings.

[RPM 1,190]

At minimum, a fifty year old steering box needs rebuilt. The three I tore down needed rebuilt, and had small amounts of hard stuff that used to be grease. Setting the lash takes a quality inch pound torque wrench. IMO, doing it yourself is not a place to learn this type of repair. 

Give Dan @ Chockostang a call, he's the best. 217-882-2083. For a few hundred bucks you'll have piece of mind, and great steering on your Stang. It's money well spent. 

[Fox 0]

Guys on another forum recommended chocks also. That’s what I’m gonna do if I buy the car

[det0326 179]

It being a factory power steering I would think the steering box is probably ok since it gets minimum wear. My guess would be the stud ball and socket on the control valve. The steering box that came on my car had very little wear if any at all. Think I still have it somewhere. I pulled it and replaced with integral power box.