How Can I Make My Steering Box One Finger Friendly?

[UGLYTRUK]

I recently put a new Lares Steering Gear Box in my '84 Sub and '95 Sub. Both are 3/4 ton 4x4's, and the '95 requires much more effort, and the '84 is 1 touch. I called Lares, and the guy just told me they rebuild em dead stock. I know there;s something about a torsion bar or spring, but how does one identify the 'lite touch" one. I'd really like the EZ to steer in my '93 Silverado pickup, but I don't think Lares cares, and even tho I can buy a box direct from them, it's $157 shipped, Vs $86+SH from RockAuto. Advance will match their price, so I save SH and returning the core!

 

[Vortec Lover]

How Can I Make My Steering Box One Finger Friendly?

If they are going good for you, you can use only one finger.

If not, you can always use one finger as well.

 

[jps4jeep]

Although both are saginaw boxes, they are completely different set ups between the two trucks. Assuming both are stock type steering systems, your 84 is a push pull set-up with power steering and the resevior ontop of the pump for a direct feed, your 95 is most likely a power assist steering, utilizing idler arms and links with a remote resevior. the biggest difference is the power steering vs power assist, best to my understanding, the power assist was incorporated to allow the driver to have a better feel for the road or some BS advertisment. My understanding is that the engineers reduce the fluid volumn to increase the amount of driver input to turn the wheels.

 

[jps4jeep]

never mind, theres the problem, your mack dog hood ornament is not centered on the hood.

 

[UGLYTRUK]

Hmmm.... The steering boxes very similar, almost to being interchangeable. Remote reservoir is irrelevant, and the new box for one truck went from easy to Trans Am hard. It's all in the torsion spring deep inside. That's what I need an explanation about!

 

[great white]

Not much to add except my 98 is a diesel (lots of weight over the nose) and I have a slightly smaller steering wheel instead of the stock one.

It is one finger steering if I want to use it that way.

Never heard of a torsion spring inside the box. It's all pure worm gear to the best of my knowledge. Been a long time since I've had one open though.

They're all looked like this or very similar in my experience:

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At least the power boxes I've rebuilt have all looked similar....

 

[RyanMerrick]

I can operate my 97 40,000 mile 2500 pretty easily with one finger....it's easier than any other vehicle I've driven.....

I wonder how much harder it is on yours?

 

[UGLYTRUK]

Both my Subs are 3/4 ton 4x4 diesels. The '84 is 6.2 NA, the '95 is a 6.5 Turbo Diesel. They are as different as a Ford and a Dodge, not one single part interchanges. But the steering gear boxes are the same internally, but the '84 is on the outside of the frame, the '95 on the inside. Why the diff? Chevy was sued big time for the external fuel tanks behind the rockers on the pickups, (dual tanks optional). So Chevy widened the frame and put the tank inboard on the Tahoe & pickups and it stayed in the back on the Subs.
Anyhow, I changed the box on a '87 I have since sold, and it went from 1 finger lite touch to aforementioned PIA full hand grip. I'm exaggerating, but you get the picture.
So I called Lares, they said they rebuild exactly as GM makes them, I said yeah, rite... So when it came time to put one in my '84 Sub (same as '87 I sold, I've had many of these) I called Lares, and they said they'd rebuild my old one for $160 +SH. I decided to by it locally, and it's nice and EZ just like it should be. So next I bot one for the '95, and armstrong PS...
True, the steering wheel is slightly smaller, and they both have oversize 285 tires, but the difference is huge. I often tow a trailer, and backing up is so much easier w the lite steering, using just a finger to flick the wheel. The '95 is a nuisance, even just going down the road and turning into a driveway.
Rest assured, everything is in fine working order. something comes to mind... The '95's Hydro Boost has a slite leak, and I keep it topped up every couple weeks. It's power brakes are kinda spongy. This is most noticeable when switching from the '84. I doubt this has any bearing on the steering effort.
My mention of the torsion spring comes from my conversation w a Lares Tech. He said the "Torsion Spring" is what determines the resistance, or feel.

 

[badazzbulldog]

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this is what puts the tension on the steering crack the jamb nut loose and the center bolt has an allen head not sure of size but that adjusts the tension hard or easy steering

 

[gd1]

edit: ^ you beat me to it haha..

#5 in the diagram posted above is a provision for adjusting a steering box. Perhaps Lares has it overtightened? Might be worth looking into the procedure on how to adjust it... I've heard of lots of people cranking that adjuster right down tight, and selling a worn out box as "good" or even "rebuilt"..