How To Replace A Steering Gear

One of the most often asked questions we receive is, "How do I tighten up sloppy vintage Mustang steering?" Unfortunately, most undisturbed steering boxes are so worn out that adjustments will make little or no difference in steering quality. In fact, because many of these old worm and sector boxes are extremely worn, they're so deeply set into lifelong wear patterns that adjustment only makes things worse.

So what to do?

You can rebuild classic Mustang steering gears with parts and service from www.stangerssite.com, which does an outstanding job using high-quality parts. Rebuilding is a terrific idea if you desire the spot-on look and feel of a factory original steering gear. However, if originality doesn't matter and you want a new steering box for immediate installation, Flaming River Industries has solutions that will get you into crisp steering in an afternoon without waiting on a rebuild.

Ramon's Automotive in Palmdale, California, has an ongoing '65 Mustang restomod project car in its shop that needs a new steering gear. We called Flaming River and asked for suggestions for Ramon's in-house project. They suggested a new FR1497Q 16:1 ratio box with 1-inch sector and long steering shaft for '65-'66 Mustangs. To simplify the product line and control cost, Flaming River has four basic steering boxes for classic Mustangs-16:1 ratio and 19:1 ratio with a 1-inch sector shaft for '65-'66, and 16:1 and 19:1 ratio with a 1 1/8-inch sector shaft for '67-'70. Because '65-'67 Mustangs had a solid steering shaft from steering wheel to worm gear, Flaming River splines a coupling to both the worm shaft and steering shaft so you'll have a solid steering shaft. Once the steering column is assembled, you won't know it's there.

The Flaming River vintage Mustang steering kit is all new, not rebuilt. That means a new sector shaft and worm gear, bearings, seals, and casting. Flaming River paints it black for good looks and caps it off with a cadmium-plated adjustment plate.	All Flaming River steering gears are short shaft. For long-shaft '65-'67 applications, Flaming River includes this coupling and shaft. Custom length steering shafts are available at extra cost.	Removal of the existing steering gear begins at the pitman arm. Remove the pitman arm retaining nut, then remove the pitman arm with a puller.
Steering column removal begins at the steering wheel, then the column tube. Disconnect the column tube at the firewall using a 3/8-inch socket. Be sure to replace the grommet.	After disconnecting the tube from the dashboard using a deep 1/2-inch socket, the column can be removed. Don't forget to disconnect the battery before unplugging the turn signal switch.	If your steering column tube is stubborn, work it from this end. Extreme temperatures can make the end grommet brittle and tight. We advise replacement of all rubber parts.
Next, remove the steering gear's three mounting bolts using a 5/8-inch socket.	Carefully remove the steering gear through the front as shown. This is more challenging when there's an engine installed. Your Mustang will have to be elevated high on jackstands to get the gear out if you have a long steering shaft. If you have a '68-'70 Mustang with a short shaft or tilt column and rag joint coupling, removal is easier. We will show you what to do elsewhere in this article.	Our new Flaming River 16:1 steering gear goes in much the same way the old one came out. The coupling fits neatly inside the column tube.
Three bolts through the lefthand framerail secure the Flaming River steering gear. Again, a 5/8-inch socket gets the job done.	Torque to factory specifications found in your Ford shop manual.	Pitman arm installation is straightforward because there's only one way it can be done due to the way the sector shaft and pitman arm are splined. If you center the steering linkage, then run the steering shaft lock to lock and find center, the pitman arm should be a perfect fit. Install the nut and lock washer, then torque to factory specifications.
Your installed Flaming River steering gear should look like this.	The steering column tube can now be reinstalled. Now's the time to replace all rubber parts, the steering shaft bearing, and turn signal switch. You will have to reuse the old turn signal harness plug because it's unavailable new or reproduction.	The completed installation looks like this. If you want to do it right, your steering column tube should be interior color. There is no need for steering gear backlash adjustment, which was performed at the Flaming River factory.
Rag Time Mustangs fitted with a tilt steering column ('67-'70) and late '67-'70 fixed columns have a short steering gear worm shaft with a coupling and a collapsible steering column shaft. This means you're going to be dealing with a flexible coupling known as a "rag joint." The rag joint coupling makes light work of steering gear replacement. It is also a critical item that must be inspected and replaced as necessary.	Rag joint rebuild kits like this are available in conventional reinforced rubber or urethane.	Rebuilding your rag joint is easy and can be done in your home garage. Always use Grade 8 hardware in the interest of safety along with self-locking, all-metal nuts. Do not trust your life to self-locking fiber nuts. Use a thread locker on steering shaft hardware.