Power Steering Gearboxes
The power steering gearbox converts the steering wheel's input into rotation and movement. When a steering gearbox is functioning correctly, it provides smooth handling, enhanced steering control, and improved responsiveness in your steering wheel.
Whether upgrading your gearbox for better performance or replacing a worn-out unit, selecting a high-performance power steering gearbox is key to maintaining your vehicle's safety and drivability.
At Lee Power Steering, we only sell OEM gearboxes that comply with the industry's highest standards. Every aspect of the gearbox is checked for exact tolerances and assembled in the same way a high-performance engine would be blue-printed. Each gearbox gets assembled with precision and care. From muscle cars and classic restorations to heavy-duty trucks and off-road rigs, our gearboxes offer durability, reliability, customizable gear ratios, and valve weights for ideal performance to meet the demands of various vehicle types.
Our Gearbox Process
Here is our process for every gearbox that we sell:
- Completely disassemble the gearbox, and all parts are visually inspected for damage.
- All parts are run through our hot tank washing cycle.
- Once clean from oil and grime, they are either sand/bead blasted, depending on the part.
- After sandblasting, we hone the piston and valve bores in the housing and measure them to ensure they are tolerable.
- The housing is then painted using a baked enamel paint process.
- All critical parts, such as the sector shaft, piston, ball screw, and input shaft, are magnafluxed in our Magworks Magnaflux Machine to check for any cracks not visible to the naked eye.
- Sector shafts are checked for straightness.
The input valve is completely disassembled, and all internal o-rings are changed.
Valves are reassembled to our precise standards, then balanced and tested on our custom-built valve testing machine to ensure the steering feel is within 3% from right to left input.
The gearboxes are then reassembled using new, proper-sized balls in the ball screw/piston assembly to make up for any wear that has occurred over the years. The process ensures a tighter, better-performing gearbox, which other gearbox rebuilders neglect to do because of the time and cost involved.
We assemble using higher quality Viton o-rings and the best quality seals available. All hardware (top cover bolts, end cap snap ring, adjuster and lock nut, sector nut, and lock washer) are all replaced with new gold zinc plated pieces.
Upgrade your steering box today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Power Steering Gearboxes
What does a power steering gearbox do?
The gearbox takes the rotational input from the steering wheel and translates it into the turning motion of the front wheels. With the help of hydraulic pressure from the power steering pump, it amplifies the driver's effort for easier steering.
How do I know if my steering gearbox is failing?
The primary signs of a failing steering gearbox include excessive play in the steering wheel, different steering efforts from left to right, unusual grinding or knocking noises, or fluid leaks around the gearbox.
Are power steering gearboxes different from manual steering gearboxes?
Yes. Power steering gearboxes are hydraulically or electronically assisted, which reduces driver effort. Manual gearboxes rely solely on mechanical input from the driver.
How do I choose the right gearbox for my vehicle?
Your vehicle's make, model, and driving requirements will all dictate which power steering gearbox you should use. Check for compatibility, gear ratios, valve weight, hose connection type, and input shaft spline.
What do different gearbox ratios do?
Different steering gearbox ratios determine how much the steering wheel needs to be turned to achieve a certain amount of wheel rotation, essentially dictating the "quickness" of the steering response; a lower ratio means the wheels turn more with less steering wheel input (faster steering), while a higher ratio requires more steering wheel movement to achieve the same wheel turn (slower steering).
What does the "Valve Weight" of the gearbox mean?
In a steering gearbox, the "valve weight" refers to the force required to activate the power steering assist valve. This helps determine how much effort the driver needs to put into turning the steering wheel before the power steering assist kicks in. A higher valve weight means more force is required to initiate power steering assistance, resulting in a "heavier" steering feel.
What are RAM ports on a gearbox, and do I need them?
"RAM ports" on a power steering gearbox refer to additional ports drilled and tapped (or welded) into the gearbox specifically to allow for the connection of a hydraulic cylinder (also called a "ram"). Ram, or hydro assist steering, provides extra steering force by adding hydraulic pressure directly to the steering linkage. This modification allows for an external hydraulic ram to be added to assist with turning the wheels, which is especially helpful in off-road situations and vehicles with larger tires. In most situations, vehicles with tires over 37 inches tall will benefit from ram assist.