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I really like the idea of electric power steering, but the cost with that system is quite high and, at least at this point, the stock steering box is still being used.
Good used steering boxes are pretty few and far between and unfortunately, it is getting exceedingly difficult to locate new parts to properly rebuild the steering boxes. I am currently working on a parts estimate for a steering box rebuild for a customer and just the parts will cost over $600.00.
I'm absolutely positive it would cost less to have a company like Flaming River make a bolt on manual rack and pinion conversion kit instead of the electric column and a properly rebuilt steering box combined, and possibly for around the same price as just the electric steering column.
I contacted their tech department many years ago and back then, they said they were willing to make them, but they wanted a straight car to make measurements and to check fitment and they are in Ohio and I'm in SoCal.
Alternately, if someone could come up with a reliable way to replace the bearings for steering box shaft with removable bearing races. The main problem with the stock steering boxes is even if you have the stock bearings, the issues of damaged bearing surfaces on the shaft which are ground directly into the shaft usually has to be surmounted. The bearing surfaces get pitted and grooved over time and that will quickly damaged a new set of stock bearings if the surfaces aren't repaired in some way.
I looked into having the shafts repaired, but to make it feasible, I would have to have at least a dozen shafts repaired at a time and that would cost more than I was willing to spend. And besides, not having easy access to new stock bearings makes it unfeasible.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com
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