I have 3 different Studebakers i have put several miles on (55Conestoga, 60 Lark,and a 64 Commander.) The 55 has bias ply tires and a very large steering wheel, but is hard to steer sitting still or trying to park. The 60 Lark is much better but still has bias tires, my 64 Commander (with radials)is a very nice driving car, I had a 62 GT Hawk 4 speed that drove very well also With Bias ply wide whites.
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What year did Studebaker start making the better steering in they're cars?
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Originally posted by clonelark View PostI have 3 different Studebakers i have put several miles on (55Conestoga, 60 Lark,and a 64 Commander.) The 55 has bias ply tires and a very large steering wheel, but is hard to steer sitting still or trying to park. The 60 Lark is much better but still has bias tires, my 64 Commander (with radials)is a very nice driving car, I had a 62 GT Hawk 4 speed that drove very well also With Bias ply wide whites.Bill Pressler
Kent, OH
(formerly Greenville, PA)
Currently owned: 1966 Cruiser, Timberline Turquoise, 26K miles
Formerly owned: 1963 Lark Daytona Skytop R1, Ermine White
1964 Daytona Hardtop, Strato Blue
1966 Daytona Sports Sedan, Niagara Blue Mist
All are in Australia now
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Generally speaking, Bob, the easier-steering cars are the ones with the newer Saginaw recirculating-ball steering gears; an astonishing improvement over any of the older Ross gear designs.
All Larks and Lark types from 1961 to the end, except RHC vehicles, have the better Saginaw steering gears. BPWe've got to quit saying, "How stupid can you be?" Too many people are taking it as a challenge.
G. K. Chesterton: This triangle of truisms, of father, mother, and child, cannot be destroyed; it can only destroy those civilizations which disregard it.
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IMHO, power steering is the only "better steering" in any Stude V8. Even a 1966 Stude six cylinder I drove briefly, 10-12 years ago, coulda used PS. I have converted several 56Js over to PS, for myself and for others. But at this point, standard steering would be a deal breaker for me in any Stude.
I agree, 65-66 Studes are as good as it got for standard steering, for two reasons: improved gearboxes, and lighter GM motors.
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Originally posted by Bill Pressler View PostMy dealer friend has told me that the 'better steering' started with the '61's, but he's also said he used to take people for rides in Chevybakers to show them how they steered easier than the older Stude-engined cars. I'm assuming he's talking about the V8's.
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All Larks and Lark types from 1961 to the end, except RHC vehicles, have the better Saginaw steering gears.Originally posted by SN-60 View PostI think you're 'right on the money' here!....I owned a '56 Sky Hawk that was a real bear to steer, as it didn't have P/S....A few years later I purchased a '61 Hawk without P/S, and I remember how much easier that car steered over the '56.
jack vinesPackardV8
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I doubt that the "better", as in "easier" steering has that much to do with the box design. My old 59 Lark 2dr. wagon (Ross box) with the heavy 259 engine, and the small diameter steering wheel I installed is VERY easy to park (no power assist). Or as I think you mean, turning the steering wheel while the car isn't moving or moving slowly has more to do with the condition of the components rather than the box design.
While the Ross box in my Lark has hard and easy spots as you turn the wheel, overall, it isn't hard to turn. My Ross boxed 54 Conestoga (the hot rod wagon) is the same, as is my beat up 54 sedan.
But, the Saginaw box that I reciently installed into my driver 54 wagon, is fairly hard to steer. But to be fair, it was a bit hard to steer with the original Ross box too. I know the center pivot is nice and smooth with no perceptable side to side play and only a little up and down play. So I'd bet that, that leaves the spindles that weren't taken care of during itheir life. I will be swapping that front suspension with a sorta fresh suspension after I get the car running again. So I'm confidant that the steering will be just as nice as it is in my Ross steered 59 Lark or my other 54 wagon after the swap of the spindles.
The key...is keep everything lubed with quality grease, note that it all has to be in good shape to begin with too.
Mike
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Originally posted by JoeHall View PostIMHO, power steering is the only "better steering" in any Stude V8. Even a 1966 Stude six cylinder I drove briefly, 10-12 years ago, coulda used PS. I have converted several 56Js over to PS, for myself and for others. But at this point, standard steering would be a deal breaker for me in any Stude.
My 54 originally came with a Ross box. Switching to a same year Saginaw box made it a far better driver. Of course the fact that Gord Richmond overhauled the Saginaw box before I installed it might have helped also .Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA
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In 1952 Ross workers went on strike and Studebaker did not get any steering gears.Studebaker went to Saginaw and they had a box that fitted with a bracket.
Saginaw designed a new box for Studebaker and later these were used.
Studebaker learned there that they needed two suppliers such as Wagner and Bendix brakes, Delco and Autolite for electricals. Carter and Bendix for Carburators
Garity and? for chrome. etc.
In 1953 they used Saginaw in Champions and Ross in Commanders.
The Champions steered much easier not only because of the lighter engine but the superior Saginaw steering gear.
Robert Kapteyn
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The Ross box is cam-and-lever, the Saginaw is recirculating ball and nut. Former is a sliding contact, the latter all rolling contact between the moving parts. There be the difference.
You know with all the interest we've seen here in the various kinds of power steering adaptations, I wonder if any has investigated just getting a housing made to accept the guts of a Saginaw (or other popular model) in-box power steering unit? A casting that would fit the Studebaker chassis, and put the input and output shafts in the proper place when installed. Buy the machined casting from a vendor, a used steering box of the correct model from a junkyard, and a seal kit from GM, and build yourself a Stude-specific PS box. The vendor could provide a kit, comprised of box casting, seal kit, pump bracket, pulleys (if required), hoses, and rag joint and lower bearing for the column, as well as complete instructions.Gord Richmond, within Weasel range of the Alberta Badlands
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Originally posted by gordr View PostThe Ross box is cam-and-lever, the Saginaw is recirculating ball and nut. Former is a sliding contact, the latter all rolling contact between the moving parts. There be the difference.
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I also remember reading somewhere a long time ago that older 60-70's Chevy trucks had the same recirculating ball guts in their steering boxes as Larks...truth or fiction?
Must list of to-do's for my Stude during the winter is re-build the steering box, won't get to it until after C-mas.
cheers, juniorsigpic
1954 C5 Hamilton car.
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It should be noted that even the Saginaw boxes pre 61 were NOT recirculating ball design. They steered a little easier because the cam follower pin was mounted in roller bearings. Later Ross boxes also had this feature.Bez Auto Alchemy
573-318-8948
http://bezautoalchemy.com
"Don't believe every internet quote" Abe Lincoln
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Originally posted by Stanwood
Again, my main thrust: Do put over-sized tires on a Studebaker--most people do--and then complain about hard steering.sigpic
1954 C5 Hamilton car.
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