How I get faster steering to '59 Fairlane?


Hyvinkää, FI

Take some martial arts lessons. After some training you will be able to move your hands faster and therefore turn the wheel faster!


Lawrenceville, GA

I must have atleast 10. dan black belt to handle fiftynine's seven-rounds-from-side-to-side-steering on slippery ice road when mighty Y frees her countless horses.



What is the second best choise.


Hyvinkää, FI

Lordy, the 59 steering is like power steering in that there is a lot less road feel to the ground,through the steering wheel.  You can directly bolt in steering box from 56 customline, vicky, modify slightly the 59 column to fit box top. This will give you probably more feel( heavier) to the steering. In Australia we swap the  56 s/boxes and install 59-60 fairlane steering box for a lighter power steering feel at the s/wheel. Its only a suggestion to your question other than changing tires etc. best regards aussie bill.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

There's nothing quite like going round a corner at speed and having that wheel spin back to center in your hands.  On a hot day it almost feels like a poor man's air conditioning. 

There seems to be a lot of different types out there. I know what you mean.  My '58 has a steering box with the horn wire through it.  I've been told it can't be a 58.  I bought another box and shaft that look completely different from a guy who said if wouldn't fit on his 59 cause it was too low..the steering wheel rested on the seat.

I still don't quite know what I bought.  But, until my steering gets too bad, it's not worth the hassle to try it.

Did you try to replace the pitman arm and little stud and springs?  I did just that and it improved my steering tons.  The previous springs and keepers were in backward.

Please tell me you aren't driving it in this awful winter.

Gt

Gordie T           Long Point, Ontario

Aussiebill That is one Beautiful car!!!

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Gordie: Is it possible your 58 is a very early model? It might possibly have a 57 box but I've never heard of it. All 58s were supposed to have the later design box, with the Horn wiring up the side of the column to a later horn contact arrangement. The 58 & later box is a better internal design, but if converting from the 57 & prior wire up the steering shaft design, you need the Horn Wire Terminal Support & Wire contact part in the top of the column & the small Horn Brush Contact & Insulator part, to go in the base of the steering wheel. That last part is very hard to find, even used (just ask me!)

Paul

Thanks for the ideas Paul.  My Fairlane is indeed an early one with the pre March side trim matching the corvette on the side.  I am beginning to think my car is a bit of a mix and match.  See my other posts as I get into it.

I do know a guy with quite of few 57, 59 parts for steering and I could ask around for that horn contact if any one wishes.

Gt

Gordie T           Long Point, Ontario

One way I helped the steering was go too a smaller steering wheel. Example> use a 56 tbird on a 56 ford, 58 tbird on a 56 mercury and you won't go back. The comfort level and the looks makes all the difference. The smaller steering wheel acts like a gear change.

-Gary Burnette-

Steering wheel spinners were invented to speed up steering. Especially the ones with pictures of girls with big boobs.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas