Ryan_Alswede

I've rebuilt the front of my v6 ride pretty much twice already with trying different things and parts. Drag link, idler arms, lower bushings, upper shock mounts, shocks, steering shaft from summit. Tha works! Shop alignments etc.

I first had the original steering gear rebuilt in Ft Worth local shop. Then tried an AC Delco remanufacture which I have no doubt was a Cardone part. The steering gears are so dead in the middle to the point the car isn't fun to drive, and frankly dangerous. Holding the wheel firm, the front end bump steers going down the road, to correct you have to move out of the dead zone, correct then move back. Lots of sawing as they say in racing. Drives like crap.

What is the solution? I see a lot of chatter on the boards about red headed steering gears but are they any better?

vinny R

Does the 305 TBI drive like the 3.1? The front end and steering box should be the same in both vehicles. It doesn't sound like a steering box issue if you had the problem, rebuilt the original and then a new one and still have a "dead zone". If you have larger than stock tires and wheels, this will exaggerate the bump steer.
Alignment specs? The stock numbers suck and when you have it aligned with more camber it effects the way the car drives. Ball Joints? maybe something is binding in the steering.

codyman125

Have you replaced the rag joint or replaced with a solid steering shaft? The box will do you no good if the connection between that and the steering wheel isn't right.

I've heard a LOT of complaints about rebuilt steering boxes though, and not just on these forums...