wookie66

Hi All
This is my first post so please bear with me. I have a 66 coupe that I bought already converted to RHD. It came fitted with early ram style power steering which I believe is from a XW-XY falcon. I have decided to change this back to manual steering. Am I correct in assuming that I can just change the draglink to a XW-XY manual steering style and a manual steering pitman arm? Can I use other draglinks, say XR-XT? If I was to use this earlier model does anything else have to be changed i.e. tie rods etc.? Does anybody know where I can get a suitable draglink? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
wookie66

atec77

I would be checking the box ratio , it may be a specific p/s box and willl be heavy without assistance.

wookie66

Thanks atec77
I believe the box is a manual type as none of the power steering hoses go anywhere near it. All the hoses go to and from the ram assembly.
Thanks again

nassi

You still need to check the ratio of your box, a manual box will have a different ratio to a power steer box. This may make your steering to heavy for comfortable use.
nassi

__________________
AUIII XR6 Ute
66 Mustang convertible
AUIII XR8 Sedan

wookie66

Thanks nassi
Any ideas on how to check this?

nassi

Sorry mate not a clue, are there any casting numbers (raised) or other (stamped) on the box?
Post as much info as you can find, someone will know.
I'm surprised Jas isnt on to it already.

__________________
AUIII XR6 Ute
66 Mustang convertible
AUIII XR8 Sedan

wookie66

Thanks nassi
I will try and find out what I can and post the info. If Jas is watching, your input would be appreciated. Same goes for anyone else with ideas/comments.
Thanks again

atec77

Jack the front and spin the wheel , how many turns ?

wookie66

Thanks
I counted 4.5 turns lock to lock. Bear in mind there isn't any steering gear attached at all. Does this help????
Thanks again

jas24zzk

OK OK OK....i;m here now!!

sorry been on holiday, only got home yesterday.....still catching up.

Yours is RHD and has ram power hook....thats a newie to me!....please send photos :)

Firstly, removing the power hook. There are two types of attatchment for the ram. One is to have a seperate attatchment point on the draglink. The other, the ram works 'backwards' and attaches integrally with the pitman arm.

The first one is most common, and is probably how yours is setup. In this case, all you need to do is simply remove the ram steering componants. Your steering geometry will not change at all. The only thing you will get is heavier steering.

As for the 4.5 lock to lock. It means a fair bit of winding on the wheel, but will keep things reasonably light, a bonus if you have fairly fat rubber. IF you want something a little quicker (more response), you will need a little more muscle, esp when parking etc. To get something quicker, you need to 100% identify your existing steering box. IF it is definatley an XY unit, then swapping it to a 16:1 would be no problem, as they have always been available.

As for your drag link. If it is also XY there is no problem there either. Some may say just deleting the ram can lead to integrity issues as you have the hole where it bolted in. I am not swung either way, but if you feel the need to fill the hole, simply bolt in the knuckle, lean in with a 1mm cut-off wheel and cut it flush. As its a taper fit, it won't work loose. Or you can search out a manual XY draglink.

The other thought that occured to me was why you would want to delete working power hook. The most common reason i ever hear of, is that its too light. This can easily be rectified by any power steer specialist worth his salt. ITs a simple matter of cutting back the pump pressure.


Cheers
Jas