Steering: "quick steering arm" mod on a manual steering 53 Commander?

[53SDude]

Since I'm swapping to front disc brakes I thought this would be a good time to install the "quick steering arm" mod on my bone-stock 53 Commander coupe.

I've read about the increased steering effort it will bring - which I don't mind (for instance I pulled the power steering OFF my 67 Mustang - cause they were a POS design to begin with and I prefer manual anyway). But before I do it, I'd like to harvest some experience from this expert panel. Are there any other unintended consequences, and just how hard will the steering get?

BTW I've only driven this car a little, and part of my experience was that the steering was clumsy, and something I planned to look into early on in my efforts to make it fun.

Thanks!

[Mike Van Veghten]

Make sure all the bushings (both metal and rubber) are in good shape. Keep everything well greased. Be sure to get the toe-in readjusted after the arm installation.
As I posted a coupla times...if you are even close to needing new tires...the Hankook, Optimo tire made my 59 (259) Lark feel like it has power steering...just a thought.

"How hard will the steering get..? That's a VERY subjective question. It depends on your conditioning..! For one, it might be a total waste of time, for another...it might be great without power steering..! If your upper arm is the same size as your wrist...good luck.

Mike

[Noxnabaker]

I'n curious about what that steering arm looks like, is there a picture anywhere?
(I also have changed leaking power steerings into maual on a few cars (for example the -70 Satelite became real nice!) & haven't had much problems with it, & anyway, it saves tires to move the car ever so little when turning the wheels.)

[bensherb]

The Quick steering arms have two 90 degree bends, effectively shortening them. The stock arm just bends downaround 15 -20 degrees then flattens out.


My dads '53 with manual steering is quite difficult to steer at parking lot speed (just moving) with 205-70-15 tires on the front. I can't imagine making it ANY harder to steer. My '62 GT with power steering, steers like most any car. It's not too easy or hard, but I will be installing shorter steering arms for wheel clearance, quicker ratio is irrelevant.

Your '67 Mustang power steering was a better executed version of the Stude Bendix power steering. I don't know if the Stude did it but the Mustang power steering box was a slightly higher ratio than it's manual box. If memory serves, manual was 16/1, power 14/1.

[Mike Van Veghten]

My non-power 54 wagon isn't difficult to steer without power, as is my previously mentioned 59 Lark.
And sure, the slower you are going...

And "again" note the tire brand I mention in my first post....huge difference than with most tires..!

Mike

[Noxnabaker]

205 tires in the front...? for hard driving on reallyreally curved roads then?
Lucky I'm not going for that then!
Or maby that's just what I am...

So is it that the arms are just bended more to become shorter?

[bensherb]

205 tires in the front...? for hard driving on reallyreally curved roads then?
Lucky I'm not going for that then!
Or maby that's just what I am...

So is it that the arms are just bended more to become shorter?

That's how they look to me.


Yes his '53 Starlite has 205-70-15 Goodyear's in front, I thought they were the same 215-70-15 Goodyear's I have on my GT (he has those on the back) but was mistaken. It's not difficult on the road but very heavy when going slow as in parking. Evidently there were two different steering boxes and his is a different box than other '53's we've had that were much easier when going very slow. I just picked up a set of 235-55-17's for the GT. I doubt the power steering will care much about the larger tires, but I need to change the steering arms so they'll clear the wheels (they hit the rim now). It handles pretty good with the 215-70's but should track like it's on rails with the larger meat.

[53SDude]

Thanks for the input - I'm going for it. I do need tires, so I'll look for some with low rolling resistance. I only buy Bridgestone - their Ecopia or Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter lines are very low RR - and excellent tires all around. I'll make sure all the components are healthy and well greased. I'll post on results when I giterdun.

[53SDude]

BTW bensherb I kept the quick-ratio (power-type) steering box in the Mustang. It was used in the racing versions of that car without power steering. I much prefer the feel. Those old Ford systems were really sloppy, didn't hold on-center well. On mine the hoses were poorly attached by the guy who re-built it (more like baling wire and duct taped it together I'm sorry to say) and the hose fell on the header and started a fire - what fun! And at a cars and coffee meet to make it even more interesting! I cut the belt and yanked the power system asap.

[jpepper]

A 70 series tire will steer harder than a 75 series tire. I generally use a 205-75 on the front and a 215-70 on the rear. They are near identical outside diameter and look good. Steering effort was very good with standard arms. I would think with quick arms it gets a little harder but not objectionable. Well lubed thrust bearings in the king pins are the key to easy steering.

[christophe]

There's been a report in the last AOAI magazine (thanks again Lew for sending it!) of an Avanti II owner having a really hard time trying to get the old steering arms out when still on the car. After reading this, if I had to do it, I would remove the steering knuckles and do it with a bench press.
Nice day to all.

[53SDude]

thanks I'll consider that as I get into it

[63 R2 Hawk]

There's been a report in the last AOAI magazine (thanks again Lew for sending it!) of an Avanti II owner having a really hard time trying to get the old steering arms out when still on the car. After reading this, if I had to do it, I would remove the steering knuckles and do it with a bench press.
Nice day to all.

I used a HD Snap-on air hammer with a bit that I turned down to fit the countersunk end of the arm, had 'em both off in less than a minute- after pounding on them for over an hour with my biggest hammer.

[53SDude]

I like that idea - I don't suppose you have any photos?

[bensherb]

BTW bensherb I kept the quick-ratio (power-type) steering box in the Mustang. It was used in the racing versions of that car without power steering. I much prefer the feel. Those old Ford systems were really sloppy, didn't hold on-center well. On mine the hoses were poorly attached by the guy who re-built it (more like baling wire and duct taped it together I'm sorry to say) and the hose fell on the header and started a fire - what fun! And at a cars and coffee meet to make it even more interesting! I cut the belt and yanked the power system asap.

Yea, way back when it was common to replace the standard manual box with the power box to incerase the ratio. It made it more difficult to steer but wasnt objectional. I installed a power box on my '65 convertable and dropped the upper control arm; with what would be a 235-60-14 today it wasn't bad. Of course, I was 40+ years younger then.

There's been a report in the last AOAI magazine (thanks again Lew for sending it!) of an Avanti II owner having a really hard time trying to get the old steering arms out when still on the car. After reading this, if I had to do it, I would remove the steering knuckles and do it with a bench press.
Nice day to all.

YES! They are a keyed taper fit. I just removed some steering arms from a pair of loose spindles I have, all the pounding I could do with a 1 1/2 lb hammer made no difference at all. In the press it took about 4-5 tons of pressure and they let loose with a big BANG! as crusty as they were It was actually easier than I expected.

I like the air hammer idea, I'll have to give that a try on the car, it's a lot easier than dismantling everything to get it into the press. It should be easier, the car is a lot greasier than the rusty loose stuff that had been sitting in a shed for who knows how long.