Hello, all. To clarify, these are questions I asked Carl regarding the power
steering conversion on his '56 Chevy (see tech article on chevytrucks.org).
Harry
'55 Chevy 1st Series
----- Original Message -----
From: Carl & Becky Ham <the_hams@hotmail.com>
To: <wits_end@worldnet.att.net>
Cc: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 9:39 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] Re: Power steering upgrade - follow up
questions/answers
> Harry:
>
> To answer your questions:
> 1.) On my truck the front shocks lean forward at about a 45 degree angle.
> Is that the same on your '56? You said you moved the top shock mount back
> so it was just behind the centerline of the wheels. In my case it seems
> that would shorten up the shock quite a bit. Did it effect your shock
> length much?
> Yes, my front shocks angle forward, and you have to reposition the
driver's
> side shock because the power steering gear box mounts where the shock was
on
> the frame. I ground off the rivet heads and drove out the rivets. When
it
> came time to reposition the shock, I did a mock-up with all the parts
> (including the new steering shaft from the column to the gear box) to make
> sure nothing interfered and I could get the shock on and off with
everything
> installed. I tried to match the original angle (only reversed towards the
> back of the truck) when repositioning the upper shock mounting plate to
the
> frame. I also measured to assure the shock travel length was similar for
> both sides. Once satisfied that everything was O.K., I drilled and
finished
> the shock mounting plate installation with grade 8 bolts and hardware
(grade
> 8 may be overkill, but I don't want anything braking while I'm driving).
>
> 2.) On my truck the inner fender well sheet metal pretty much follows the
> frame. It seems that the connection between the steering column and the
new
> steering box would run right into the sheet metal. Did you have to modify
> your inner fender other than just to accept the power steering hoses?
> Yes, and since I had the driver's side fender and inner fender off the
truck
> the whole conversion went easier (lots of room to work), and allowed me to
> take my time cutting and trying the inner fender several times until I was
> satisfied with the looks. You will need to make a cut for the new
steering
> shaft from the column to the gear box and provide some relief for the
power
> steering hoses from pump to gear box and return. As a suggestion, once
> you've cut the inner fender for the power steering hoses, consider cutting
a
> piece of rubber fuel line or small diameter heater hose lengthwise and
> either glue to the metal or drill a series of small holes and use plastic
> tie wraps to hold the hose in position. This will insulate and protect
your
> hoses from chafing or rubbing a hole in the hose(s) due to the sharp edge
on
> the inner fender you just cut.
>
> 3.) Finally, how do you like the upgrade after putting some miles on your
> truck? Still happy with it?
> While I'm very happy with the conversion, I have to tell you I'm thinking
of
> removing the stock front suspension and replacing with an independent
front
> suspension (IFS) this winter. I found that I'm just not happy with the
way
> the truck handles at interstate speeds (70MPH+). Even though the
suspension
> is tight and in alignment, it tends to 'wander' (side-to-side) at high
> speeds. I played with the front springs and shocks to stiffen/soften the
> suspension thinking that may be the problem and while the truck is not
> unsafe, I just think I need something a little better. I also noticed I
lost
> a little of the original turning radius from mounting the steering gear
box
> on the outside of the frame rail. Not much, but just enough that I notice
> it when I pull out of my driveway and have to make a tight turn to get on
> the street. The winter before the steering conversion I had a power brake
> conversion done and spent way too much time this summer messing with the
> front drum brakes to get the truck to stop consistently in a straight line
> (again, not unsafe but just not what I expected). I think installing an
IFS
> with power rack and pinion steering, disk brakes, and coil-over
shock/spring
> combination will give me the ride, handling, turning radius and stopping
> consistency I want.
>
> Bottom line, do what your heart (and wallet) will allow. There are many
> trucks running and driving well with their original suspensions. I will be
> doing a lot of cruising next summer and want a little better than what I
> have right now.
>
> Sorry for the lengthy reply. Hope this information helps. Good luck with
> your plans!!
>
> Carl Ham
> '56 Chevy TF Stepside
> Pontiac, IL
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*
> http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
|