Replacing power steering gear...which ratio do I need?

[d0n_3d]

Autozone has a power steering gear both in a 2.5 and 3.5 turn ratio. The 3.5 ratio is called "standard steering with less effort to turn" while the 2.5 ratio is called "sport steering with more effort to turn". Should I go with the standard gear?

Also what is all involved in replacing the steering shaft itself? Isn't that called the intermediate shaft?

 

[Tony Shoaff]

Power steering

I took a S-10 manual steering box off a 87 S-10 pick-up and it bolted right on my 86 GN. $50.00.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

And what did this do to your gn. I heard the 1LE increases your steering ratio, so that it's even quicker. Is this true, and does the S10 do the same?

 

[Tony Shoaff]

Steering

The car has 3.5 inch frt tires now. But the car turns twice as easy with the S-10 manual gear box compared to the factory P/S gear box with a short line connecting the hose fittings.

 

[d0n_3d]

Nobody knows the turn ratio of the factory box? I'm pretty sure it's the 3.5 (easier to turn). Isn't that how many times you turn the wheel to one side before it stops?

 

[UNDER-PRESSURE]

The stock GN steering box has the " Sport Steering" that is more effort to turn.

 

[d0n_3d]

Aw crap...that's the one I have to order and is more money! OK cool I'll get that then...thanks.

 

[TEST MY 6]

Now would be a good time to upgrade, Order one for an 89 Trans AM GTA or Iroc Z (performance susp pkg), They fit right in and it takes off at least a whole turn from the GN box.

 

[d0n_3d]

really? cool maybe I'll go that route then...thanks for the info

 

[d0n_3d]

Autozone shows the same two gear boxes for the GTA and IROC as well as for the Turbo Regal. Guess I'll just get the 2.5 sport steering gearbox.

 

[TEST MY 6]

I just had my parts guy check and he came up with the same info , ARC brand part # 40-6561 for both apps. I coulda swore when I orderd it was a different number , I know for sure it was a big difference when I changed it unless my 85 had the wrong box in it originally and thats why it felt much better ?? maybe I got the years mixed like 87 Iroc/GTA this was so long ago I cant remember maybe someone else heard of this also.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

wait a minute, let me get this straight, it only makes it EASIER to turn? There's only two things I'm interested in doing to my steering. A, making the wheels turn more, so as to decrease my turning radius, or B, making the movement I do have quicker, meaning the less amount of distance I have to turn my steering wheel, to get the same effect as stock.
As far as 'easy', mines already totally easy. I couldnt imagine it being any easier. Though, if you change a gear ratio, to make the wheels turn the same amount of distance, but with less turns of the steering wheel, wouldn't that make the effort on the steering wheel harder??