steering ratio, was Re: Bendix calipers go clunk, and other stuff

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 8 Aug 2005, Sandwich Maker wrote:

> " Real slow turning the wheel, need a quick ratio steering box.
>
> early ['93-?] grand wagoneers have the fast 12.7:1 ratio and wide amc
> turning stops.  you'll have to change the fittings or have hybrid
> hoses made, and you'd have to hunt up a flange to match your steering
> coupler...   but adapting newer boxes to older cars is done all the
> time.

I've forgotten the car we're talking about here but another thing
to consider with steering ratio is wheelbase and intended use.

I wanted to put the 2.5-turns lock to lock (12.7:1) box in my
Hornet; never got one. It's got a 3.25 turn box in there now,
stock, and not the super slow one. Well with the 108" wheelbase
it's about as fast as I'd want it to be at 75mph, and not bad on
the small stuff. If I was SOLO II-ing again I'd want the fast box
I suppose, but the 3.25T box is a pretty good compromise. And I
bet a lot cheaper!

With a longer wheelbase the fast box is probably best overall.