1956 Studebaker Champion Four Door

[John McElfresh]

I am wanting to add power steering to my car and would like to know if anyone could tell me where I would be able to get brackets? As that would seem to be the big hold up on this project. The rest I think I can get? Is that right? Thanks John

[stude dude]

I can't imagine a Champion being front heavy enough to require power steering! Have you checked the steering box for wear? These typically suffer from a lack of maintenance or use of the wrong lubricant.

How wide are your wheels and tires? I would be looking at other factors that may be increasing steering effort first. Champion steering of this era may be slow but its usually not that heavy.

Also, the Saginaw integral powered box used by Studebaker during those years was for V8 models only and not really suitable for 6 cylinder cars. The later Eaton/Bendix link type power assisted steering system would be easier to adapt and probably more affordable.

Chris.

[John McElfresh]

Chris

Thanks for the heads up. It means a lot to me.

[rkapteyn]

To make it steer a lot easier is to adapt a 1962-66 Lark , Saginaw steering gear.
These are ball bearing units and steer a lot easier.
Search the archives for posts on this subject
.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?92523-SDC-archive

[StudeRich]

Make that '61 to '66 Lark and Lark Type Saginaw Recirculating Ball Type Steering Gears.

[John McElfresh]

Thanks guys. Dose it matter if it is a six or eight cylinder? StudeRich, rkapteyn

[62champ]

Six or eight should not matter - real difference between steering boxes was power or non-power. As mentioned earlier - tire width will make a difference. If the wheels are not Studebaker, the offset might be off enough to increase steering effort. Make sure all those pivot points are well lubricated, including the central pivot point that is centered in the cross member - there is a grease zerk inside of an opening on the backside of the cross member.

I was told once that an easy way to see if the steering mechanism is "good", with both front wheels off the ground, you should be able to grab one of the tires at nine and three, and work it back and forth through the whole range - should not take much effort to do so.

[John McElfresh]

Thanks my friend.

[StudeRich]

Six or eight should not matter - real difference between steering boxes was power or non-power.

Do not worry about Power or non-Power either, they are all the same except Manual Steering Convertibles and Wagonaire's from '63 to '66 which have even easier to steer, slower Steering Gears that also would work.