Gearbox and Steering Column Upgrade - Tech

With these parts and a little elbow grease, you'll be ready to steer straight.

If you're cruising an older Chevy Impala and you're rollin' down the strip or the highway, you might notice that the steering's a little sloppy or loose. This is due to normal wear on the rag joints and bearings in the steering column. How do you get back to steering straight? Well, the answer is simple: you can change out your complete steering system with a newer-style setup. You can start off with your steering column and union joints that connect to the gearbox. If you own an older Impala, you should consider upgrading the gearbox, as we did in this tech.

This '63 Impala had several problems with the old slave cylinders, which tend to leak fluid and give you too much unwanted play, so we decided to upgrade the complete system. We started off by swapping out the gearbox with a newer one from ABS (American Braking & Steering), which are sold with either a chrome-plated or stock black finish, depending on your needs. In our case, this chromed-out car received the upgraded gearbox that matched the already chrome-plated undercarriage.

The steering column was upgraded with an Ididit chrome column, which helped tighten up the "feel" when driving. Also tying into this tech were the Borgenson joints and shaft, as well as the Billet Specialties steering wheel and the Rare Parts pitman arm. These new aftermarket products will help your classic steer like a newer vehicle.

If you don't have power steering or if you own a vehicle with an older-style setup, this tech will be perfect for you. Now follow along as Jaime from ABS shows us how to steer straight with less drag.

Here's a sample of the ABS black gearbox that will work for '59-'64 Impalas.
For our install tech, we used a chrome version to match the already chromed undercarriage that existed on the vehicle.
For our install tech, we used a chrome version to match the already chromed undercarriage
Here's a look at the factory gearbox and slave cylinder that we'll be replacing and upgrading.
Here's a look at the factory gearbox and slave cylinder that we'll be replacing and upgrad

As you can see, cosmetically there was nothing wrong with the gearbox. The issues were all internal as the turning gears were smaller and made you work harder when it was time to turn
As you can see, cosmetically there was nothing wrong with the gearbox. The issues were all
First on the agenda was to loosen the factory steering shaft that was attached to the steering column.
First on the agenda was to loosen the factory steering shaft that was attached to the stee
The pitman arm was removed from gearbox.

Next was to loosen the slave cylinder that was connected to the center link and tie-rods.
As mentioned in the last caption, the tie-rods were loosened up to allow the whole steering mechanism to come off of the vehicle.
As mentioned in the last caption, the tie-rods were loosened up to allow the whole steerin
The power steering hoses were the last things to be removed. This will prevent any unwanted spills.
The power steering hoses were the last things to be removed. This will prevent any unwante

The steering linkage was taken off of the car to allow better access and prevent any unwanted mishaps.
The steering linkage was taken off of the car to allow better access and prevent any unwan
With everything off of the vehicle, the gearbox was ready to be removed.
With everything off, the car's suspension was ready to be worked on.

Even though the suspension was ready, Jaime proceeded to remove and replace the factory straight column.
Even though the suspension was ready, Jaime proceeded to remove and replace the factory st
The factory design on the column only had about four bolts to hold it in place, which were a lot easier to get to with no dash in place.
The factory design on the column only had about four bolts to hold it in place, which were
Jaime dropped in and installed the new chrome-plated Ididit tilt steering column.

Next was to bolt up the new ABS gearbox.
Jaime used a combination of joints, including this chrome-plated rag joint that is recommended for the ABS gearbox.
Jaime used a combination of joints, including this chrome-plated rag joint that is recomme
Once the rag joint was bolted to the gearbox and the Borgenson universal joint was bolted onto the steering column, Jaime measured the length between both to allow him to cut the double D shaft to size.
Once the rag joint was bolted to the gearbox and the Borgenson universal joint was bolted

The shaft was bolted up and the link between both of these important pieces was complete.
Jaime made his own power steering hoses using this crimper.
To avoid having long, unwanted hoses, the hoses were custom cut to give the install a cleaner look.
To avoid having long, unwanted hoses, the hoses were custom cut to give the install a clea

Rare Parts provided the vital pitman arm as seen on top that needs to be used for '63-'64 Impalas.
Rare Parts provided the vital pitman arm as seen on top that needs to be used for '63-'64
If you want to accomplish a clean look, you'll need to be swap out the center link as well. For this vehicle the lower one is the proper one to use.
If you want to accomplish a clean look, you'll need to be swap out the center link as well
This new steering linkage was put together off of the vehicle before being installed.

Once the linkage is assembled, it's pretty simple as to where it should be bolted back onto the frame.
Once the linkage is assembled, it's pretty simple as to where it should be bolted back ont
The tie-rods and pitman arm were bolted back on. Once you're done bolting up the tie-rods you should also add a cotter pin.
The tie-rods and pitman arm were bolted back on. Once you're done bolting up the tie-rods
Once we added fluid to the gearbox it was ready to roll.

SOURCE
Billet Specialties 500 Shawmut Ave., Dept. SC La Grange IL 60526	Ididit, Inc. 610 S. Maumee St Tecumseh MI 49286
Borgeson 187 Commercial Blvd. Torrington CT 06790	American Braking & Steering "ABS" 233 N. Lemon Orange CA 92866 www.abspowerbrake.com
Rare Parts