Steering: Steering arms

[plee4139]

When I started driving my Sky Hawk I found the power steering so vague and sloppy that it scared me. So I had shorter steering arms from an Avanti installed. this, along with radials, has made steering heavy at low speeds and maneuvering. Should I have those taken out and re-install the original arms? I don't do any work myself, and my mechanic charges hefty fees.

[JoeHall]

Short answer, yes, take them back out.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Peter -

It's up to you..!
How do YOU feel about it? Only you know how it felt stock and now with the short arms.
Why would you ask others about something that only you can answer "accurately" ?

Mike

[RadioRoy]

Has the mechanic checked for lost motion in the steering and suspension components? The Studebaker steering system does not need to be redesigned, just repaired/re-bushed/rebuilt to new specifications.

[Hawkowner]

I read a post about rebuilding the control valve and there was an item about adjusting the valve and to put more road feel into the steering by increasing the tension on a spring in the control valve.I think it was a simple adjustment that could be done on the car.
Hawkowner

[SN-60]

I read a post about rebuilding the control valve and there was an item about adjusting the valve and to put more road feel into the steering by increasing the tension on a spring in the control valve.I think it was a simple adjustment that could be done on the car.
Hawkowner

No separate control valve on this baby...P/S is integral within the box.

[rstrasser]

When did Studebaker switch from Saginaw Power Steering Box to Ross on the Hawks?
I also agree with Roy; the first thing to do is make sure the entire front is in good shape. Nothing loose and the king pins taking grease both upper and lower.
Ron

[Dwight FitzSimons]

I put the quick steering arms on my '64 Hawk and am happy with them. It steers much more quickly on the road at the cost of stiff steering when stationary or at very slow speed. We shouldn't be turning the steering wheel when stationary anyway, except in an emergency. The quick steering arms require me to plan a little ahead when parking so I can start off moving before I have to turn the steering wheel. One advantage of the quick steering arms is that my Hawk steers much more like my modern driver car (2003 Aurora), so that perhaps my response in an emergency situation will be better (and safer).

One note: It would probably be ill advised to put the quick arms on a non-PS-equipped Studebaker, unless your name is Hercules.

I believe that Studebaker switched all its cars over from the GM Saginaw system to the Bendix system with the 1958 model year. If there is an exception someone will chime in on that.
-Dwight FitzSimons

[plee4139]

I put the quick steering arms on my '64 Hawk and am happy with them. It steers much more quickly on the road at the cost of stiff steering when stationary or at very slow speed. We shouldn't be turning the steering wheel when stationary anyway, except in an emergency. The quick steering arms require me to plan a little ahead when parking so I can start off moving before I have to turn the steering wheel. One advantage of the quick steering arms is that my Hawk steers much more like my modern driver car (2003 Aurora), so that perhaps my response in an emergency situation will be better (and safer).

One note: It would probably be ill advised to put the quick arms on a non-PS-equipped Studebaker, unless your name is Hercules.

I believe that Studebaker switched all its cars over from the GM Saginaw system to the Bendix system with the 1958 model year. If there is an exception someone will chime in on that.
-Dwight FitzSimons

That's the best and most comprehensive answer yet. I agree that having to put a little more lock on the steering at low speeds is an acceptable trade-off for having quicker response. I feel that I need whatever safety-related elements I can use, and this certainly fits into that goal. Thanks, Dwight, for your valuable response.

[1954khardtop]

I believe the '58 Packard Hawks used the Saginaw, so if you count them as Studebakers they would be the exception.

[karterfred88]

When I started driving my Sky Hawk I found the power steering so vague and sloppy that it scared me. So I had shorter steering arms from an Avanti installed. this, along with radials, has made steering heavy at low speeds and maneuvering. Should I have those taken out and re-install the original arms? I don't do any work myself, and my mechanic charges hefty fees.

Are you otherwise happy, steering wheel gives immediate response, feels tight. Reinstalling the old ones will give you what you had, why bother. Might try different tires, or maybe fiddle with the pump pressure or the steering gear to make it a little more powerful, or modify technique when maneuvering at slow speeds, always moving slightly to make it easier. Since our old cars don't have a way to vary pressures by speed like todays cars, with electronic controlled pressures, you have to choose. That's why those things were invented so we don't need to choose anymore. But then look at what we have to drive to get it!

[63 R2 Hawk]

Before you give up on the quick steering arms, check your tire pressures and maybe experiment with adding a little more air to them. I keep mine at 40 psi. With 245/60/16 tires on wide rims and power steering, it is a little hard when stopped or going very slow but it's manageable. And keeps my arms in shape.....

[Jeffry Cassel]

Does anyone else out there think that putting big fat radial tires and short steering arms on a 60 or 70 year old car that was designed for 6.70 15" tires might possibly not be the safest modification. Ceci has a Sky Hawk. It does not have PS and wears 6.70x15 tires. It is a joy to drive and certainly does not need power steering. If steering is vague and sloppy there are some seriously worn components. You should trailer it to a reputable shop with at least mone really old mechanic. Dangerous!