Steering Gear Upgrade Project

I wanted a heavier feeling steering box so after exhaustive research I decided the best route was to install a third gen box into my 69 Camaro. This requires multiple items that need to be addressed but its all documented here!

1. New PS unit
2. New PS unit uses different metric adapters
3. New PS unit uses different coupler size

1. #40620 - pressure
2. #40630 - return

They recommend a GM 7826542 coupler and 7807271 bolt.
They recommend a Steering Gear box for an 84-92 Chevrolet Camaro with Performance Suspension.

1. I called Lee first, and glad I did! They are VERY familiar now with this upgrade and actually stock the coupler as well and package it as a whole kit for only $85 (new coupler + two inserts)!! Coupler is $44 from Rockauto, its MotorMite Part #31011, but you still need the inserts from Lee
2. I called my local Kragen Auto Parts (partsamerica.com) and ordered a Cardone 276550 for $139.99, it took only 1 day to get the unit to the local store so I could pick it up. $25 core but my old unit can be returned to get that back. Unfortunately it seems Kragen charges different prices for this unit based on where you are in the country, so your price might differ, and in that case you should consider RockAuto.com for $116

TOTAL COST: $140 + $85 = $225 for a late model fast ratio heavy feeling system, new!

• 67-69 Camaro use Cardone 276550 (Yes it works for all 3 years)
• 12.7:1 Ratio - Steering Valve Tension 32lbs/in
• Moog K6582 Long Pitman Arm is $50 from Rock Auto, great time to replace this while you are at it to make sure you have no slop in your steering system!

• The Cardone 276550 is the box you want, although other Gear rebuilders make similiar units and are available from any auto part store, I just found that Kragen was the least expensive. Just make sure you get an 85-92 Camaro IROC with Performance Suspension box, otherwise known as a GM 7843512, as recommended by CarCraft.
• Rock Auto carries this same unit for $116, but after shipping I would think it would be the same as Kragen plus I don't have to ship the old unit back anywhere.
• If you had manual steering before you might need a 7807271 bolt, my previous power steering coupler bolt fit just fine.
• If Lee Manufacturing didn't have the coupler/bolt I was going to go to GMPartsDirect who carries these two items (7826542 coupler and 7807271 bolt) for a little more
• Other idea was to have a place rebuild my current box to make it stiffer and change the ratio, that was going to be $175 from some steering place in Michigan, shipping back and forth. So after all said and done it would cost the same for just the box, but then I wouldn't have a new coupler, and I wouldn't have a newer style box.

• Lee Manufacturing: (818) 768-0371 - Sun Valley, Ca.
• Kragen Auto Parts: aka Checkers, Schucks, Advance Auto Parts, Discount Auto Parts, partsamerica.com
• GMPartsDirect - Good source for GM parts at decent prices
• RockAuto - Good source for aftermarket parts and great prices

The new Cardone unit is painted black but it was a sloppy job that probably wouldn't last long, so I sprayed auto paint remover on the box and wiped away the paint a few times until it was bare metal. I then used Simple Green and Metal Ready to clean the box up really nice. Mine had a nice polished top so I masked that area and the splines off and put two coats of POR15 Black on the unit. Once that dried, I removed the masking tape from the top and masked the rest of the unit. I then sprayed 2 coats of clear enamel to protect the polished top from rust.

If you have headers you need to unbolt the header from your exhaust pipe, loosen up all the bolts for the header to the intake manifold so that the bottom of header can swing towards the transmission. This is necessary to provide room to pull the steering box out.

I had to unbolt the two large bolts that hold the steering column to the dash, unbolt the 4 (1/2") bolts that hold the bracket to the column, remove the 2 bolts holding the plastic cover near the firewall and loosen the 2 bolts on the column clamp. This allowed me to pull the column about 2" towards the driver seat to give me enough room to get the old rag joint out and new one in.