ZQ8 Steering Gear Box Question

[GEMELLI]

I know I read somewhere why the ZQ8 box and our stock boxes have the same turns lock to lock while sitting on the bench, but don't once bolted in the truck (or vice versa), but I can't seem to find that thread at the moment. Will someone please explain that so I can pass the info on to my alignment guy? He seems to think that my truck already has a ZQ8 box in it based on the turns lock to lock. (New box on the bench, old box in my truck)

 

[0-60N4]

Re: ZQ8 Steering Gear Box Question

I know I read somewhere why the ZQ8 box and our stock boxes have the same turns lock to lock while sitting on the bench, but don't once bolted in the truck (or vice versa), but I can't seem to find that thread at the moment. Will someone please explain that so I can pass the info on to my alignment guy? He seems to think that my truck already has a ZQ8 box in it based on the turns lock to lock. (New box on the bench, old box in my truck)

First I've heard on that and don't know how it could be possible. It's a gear box. It doesn't know if it's on the bench or bolted in the truck. X turns in = Y turns out.

 

[GEMELLI]

Re: ZQ8 Steering Gear Box Question

Maybe I'm remembering the thread incorrectly, and maybe my truck does have a ZQ8 box already. It seems to turn somewhat quickly, but I don't have anything around to compare it to.

 

[fivetodrive]

Re: ZQ8 Steering Gear Box Question

according to http://www.sytysogt.com/sytyauthority/specs.html
stock its 3.1 lock to lock but a variable ratio edit - syclone box is variable

 

[jimmyz79]

Re: ZQ8 Steering Gear Box Question

Here's an old post from the SY/TY mailing list on steering boxes:



PhilnTX@aol.com
To L1D2B@aol.comsyty@syty.org
Feb 27, 2003
Guys, Here's the breakdown on these steering gearboxes.


Code Ratio Degree Travel Feel Full Lock Cars
YA - 14:1 39 degrees, Heavy feel 2 1/2 turns ('84-up G-cars)
HX - 14:1 32 degrees, Heavy feel 2 1/2 turns ('85-up F-car with 16" wheels)
FP - 14:1 39 degrees, Light feel 2 /12 turns (Buick Grand National)
BL - 17.5 : 1 36 degrees, Light 4 1/2 turns (Typhoon and 4 WD S-trucks)
XF - 13-15.5:1 42 degrees, Light feel, 4 turns (S10 2WDTruck)
WS - 14:1 35 degrees, Heavy feel, 2 1/2 turns. ('82-up F-cars with 15" wheels)

If you are really interested in changing the ratio, call Lee Manufacturing at
818-768-0371. They are in Sun Valley Ca.

I put the box that is similar to the Monte Carlo SS box on my Blazer(14:1, 39 degree, Medium Feel)
and I ordered one with the same ratio, but 36 deg limit for my Typhoon. The
wheel stops are what you need to watch for. If you take a box from a
production car, they have "stops" built in to limit the amount that you can
turn the wheels. The Typhoon needs stops for a 36 deg limit. A Grand
National "FP" box has 39 degrees, a Z-28 has 32 degrees.

A GN box will let our tires rub on the inner fenders, a 'HX" box from a late
Z will not turn as much as our current boxes. However, any of these will
bolt right up.

If you could find a "WS" box from an '82 Camaro with 15" wheels you'd be all
right. This box has a 2 1/2 turn 14:1 ratio box 35 degrees of travel and a
"heavy" feel.

The "letters" are located on the front of the gear boxes. Usually they are
covered with grease, but on some of them you can still see the black letters.

Lee boxes are not cheap, but they are the best.

 

[Davemc1963]

Re: ZQ8 Steering Gear Box Question

Here's an old post from the SY/TY mailing list on steering boxes:



PhilnTX@aol.com
To L1D2B@aol.comsyty@syty.org
Feb 27, 2003
Guys, Here's the breakdown on these steering gearboxes.


Code Ratio Degree Travel Feel Full Lock Cars
YA - 14:1 39 degrees, Heavy feel 2 1/2 turns ('84-up G-cars)
HX - 14:1 32 degrees, Heavy feel 2 1/2 turns ('85-up F-car with 16" wheels)
FP - 14:1 39 degrees, Light feel 2 /12 turns (Buick Grand National)
BL - 17.5 : 1 36 degrees, Light 4 1/2 turns (Typhoon and 4 WD S-trucks)
XF - 13-15.5:1 42 degrees, Light feel, 4 turns (S10 2WDTruck)
WS - 14:1 35 degrees, Heavy feel, 2 1/2 turns. ('82-up F-cars with 15" wheels)

If you are really interested in changing the ratio, call Lee Manufacturing at
818-768-0371. They are in Sun Valley Ca.

I put the box that is similar to the Monte Carlo SS box on my Blazer(14:1, 39 degree, Medium Feel)
and I ordered one with the same ratio, but 36 deg limit for my Typhoon. The
wheel stops are what you need to watch for. If you take a box from a
production car, they have "stops" built in to limit the amount that you can
turn the wheels. The Typhoon needs stops for a 36 deg limit. A Grand
National "FP" box has 39 degrees, a Z-28 has 32 degrees.

A GN box will let our tires rub on the inner fenders, a 'HX" box from a late
Z will not turn as much as our current boxes. However, any of these will
bolt right up.

If you could find a "WS" box from an '82 Camaro with 15" wheels you'd be all
right. This box has a 2 1/2 turn 14:1 ratio box 35 degrees of travel and a
"heavy" feel.

The "letters" are located on the front of the gear boxes. Usually they are
covered with grease, but on some of them you can still see the black letters.

Lee boxes are not cheap, but they are the best.

Good explanation for the different number of turns that some boxes have!
Also, the '14:1' ratio boxes are fitted to many Jeeps - Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler as well. If you go to the likes of Rockauto and search on the steering boxes, it will list vehicles that the box will fit. The feel or how light / heavy they feel varies with application. Dont quote me, but off top of my head as far as I remember there are three variants requiring different levels of input force to turn the wheel. The likes of the WS6 T/A has 'heavy steering feel', but limited travel due to the internal stops fitted due to the wider wheels fitted to them, preventing contact with the frame/whelarch or whatever would rub first.

 

[GEMELLI]

Re: ZQ8 Steering Gear Box Question

I'm 99% sure the box I bought is a ZQ8 box. I ordered it for an early 2000s S10 with performance (ZQ8) package. The issue I'm having is that my alignment guy is trying to save me the trouble and the money of replacing a steering gear with an identical steering gear. I think what I read in another thread was that [maybe all] the boxes with be the same while sitting on the bench, but there will be a difference once mounted in the truck. Is it possible that the new ZQ8 box, while sitting on the bench, will have the same turns lock to lock as the box that's still mounted in my truck? Does the turns lock to lock have anything to do with ratio? It seems to me it would, but I can't seem to wrap my head around it at the moment.

jimmyz79 - Great info! Thank you! Now I'll go look at my new box to find that code again.