Steers like a truck?

I just finished a 58 CMC that has a 2.5 Subaru motor. It goes real well but the steering is the pits. Do any of you know of a "bolt-in" unit that is significantly better? Maybe a rack and pinion even, or a better steering box than the original? Any help would be appreciated. Mike

Are the front wheels staying on the ground with all that power?

Eyeball Engineering and Mendeola both have complete front ends, but I am not sure if anyone here had tried one.

might be the steering box needs refilling or replaced, how,s the lake doing with all the water...spent many a summer vacation on a houseboatwith 5 other couples.

Mike, try a couple of things, it as suggested that you re-pack the steering box, then check the adjustment set screw on top of the box, if it's too tight it will bind and if none of the abot work then re-aligning the steering box. It may have twisted during installation. If it did twist then it's putting undue pressure on the rag joint and will cause the steering to be very difficult

If none of these help, then check your tie rods and make sure they are straight.

Last but not least, buy a new steering box. Steering in these cars is very light so obvioulsy you have a problem.

Not knowing the history of your car - a simple question

What exactly makes you think it's the steering box?

Lets assume the chassis alignment (caster, camber, toe-in) is all OK - do we know that?

In an older kit, maybe you've got a "quick steering" kit? Basically this kit is a bolt on extended pitman arm. That would give you truck like steering at slower speeds. Solution - take it off!

What else do you see up there that might be non-stock?

Is that a link-pin spindle up front? Somebody here might know if they tend to "seize up" with age? If it's a newer front end, how are the ball joints?

If the vehicle has a quick steering extension on the pitman arm, once you remove it, you MUST get the front end aligned. If I remember correctly, you have to lengthen the tie rods to make them fit the extension. Once you try to reassemble the tie rods, your front toe is WAY OFF.

Typically a link/king pin setup gets sloppy, not tight as is the case of a bad ball joint. Both seem to get sloppy and loose. Another problem could be a bent spindle, a bad bearing in the steering column, or something rubbing against the steering rod as it exits the steering column causing undue friction.

From the brief description, it sounds like what I posted 2 above this entry. I've had several instances where the steering box has shifted and binds similar to what was explained by the original author.
But, it's mechanical and unless I can see and feel the problem, all I'm doing is guessing.

If you have a wide body car with spacers on the front wheels. That will do it as well..

Caster shims?

If it is difficult to steer ( takes some extra effort to turn) you have too much positive caster. You should only have 5-7 degrees positive caster. Check that first before doing anything else.