Convert from power to manual steering

[mcintyrederek]

Vehicle = 1986 C10 Silverado, with power steering, and originally had a 4.3 V6 in it.. TH400 trans. 

Engine now = 350 but I'm sure that won't make a difference in my question.

I currently have power steering but the pump, hoses and "gearbox" assembly are all starting to leak.  Instead of rebuilding, I have thought about ditching the power steering altogether and go with regular old manual steering.

I can get my hands on some manual steering gearboxes fairly easy.  Does anyone see any problem with this, and will the manual gearbox use the same bolt pattern as the hydraulic box?  Will it pretty much be a direct swap?  Thanks..

Mack.

[zieg85]

Easy as changing the box and ditch the hoses and pump.  I've done this several times with ZERO issues.  I prefer the road feel of armstrong steering and it keeps folks from borrowing your truck.

[mcintyrederek]

That's the answer I was looking for.  THANK YOU.  P/S is nice on a street car but manual steering would be great on an old farm truck, and it's one less thing under the hood to leak or mess up.

Mack.

[zieg85]

Unless you do a lot of parallel parking PS is not needed on a 2WD 1/2 ton.  You'll want the OEM sized steering wheel though...  1 less V-belt is a win-win

[mcintyrederek]

Yep.  It has the factory steering wheel. 

I don't have any problems replacing the gearbox, but how difficult it is it remove the steering arm from the spline shaft on the current P/S box?  It's not rusty-rusty but it's old and... you know how it is.  Soak everything in penetrating oil for a week before attempting to change?

Mack.

[zieg85]

I think the pitman arm is steering box specific.  In all cases mine had them on it already.  A quick search of any auto parts website to see if it lists the same part # should tell you.

[Rattler12]

Buy a pittman arm fork and a 2 pound sledge hammer and whack away