74 Eldo Steering bix

[danjarrett1]

Gentlemen: In an attempt to provide more stability to my 74 Eldorado while driving, I have been looking into changing the steering box. There has been some discussion in our forum, but just wondering if none has done this and what I need to be looking for. I did do a little research, there's a place in MN called Lars that says that have a replacement box with a reduced steering ration from 10-1 to 8-1 I believe.anything any of you could share would be helpful. Thanks

[TJ Hopland]

What 'problem' are you trying to solve?  I really don't think changing the ratio is going to really make a noticeable difference in how the car handles.   These are for sure land yachts that are not going to handle and steer anything like even a 1999 crap box and certainly not like anything a company like Cadillac has built in the last 30 some years.   How does it compare to your 80 or 85?  I would stay those were a little better handling than the previous gen but not by much. 

These cars didn't tend to wear out the steering boxes, most of the time they just started leaking fluid.  Idler arms don't seem to be a huge wear item either but I can see some movement in mine now at like 125k so they do wear and of course there are always exceptions either bad parts or an exceptional hard life. 

At this age the rubber bushings in all the suspension components are likely shot so that is one likely spot for getting some mush in the handling.     

[danjarrett1]

Agreed, steering just seems sloppy and I've owned several 60's and 7p's land yachts so I'm reasonably familiar with the GM sway. I agree that A arm bushings and other things can contribute to it, I live in western Kentucky and I cannot find anyone to go through the suspension on this car...they're scared of it. If you know someone in the Midwest that knows the suspension and would be interested in doing the work, I would love to know. I'm a drive-way mechanic, no lift, I don't have the tools to fool,around with torsion bats and other things, or...I would change them myself

[TJ Hopland]

From what I have heard the torsion bars are in some ways easier to deal with than say struts.  Its removing and installing the new bushings that often seems to be the challenge. 

Seems odd that shops are afraid of the suspension since its just about identical to the system they used on the 88- to at least 2000 4x4 trucks.