I ordered a rebuilt steering box online from Autozone last week and I got today. I saw that they offered two different boxes, one that was 3.5 turns lock to lock, and the other was 2.5. I was amazed that the 2.5 was $20 dollars cheaper, so I bought that one. My first order of business today when I received it was to check to see if it was in fact a 2.5 ratio box. It turns out that it actually turns a little over 3 times lock to lock. I thought that was strange, so I looked at the number cast into the box, and it says 26001484 GM-SM 7. I did a search on here and didn't come up with anything, and they only thing I found on google that it was used in 88-93 GM pickups. At this point I'm not sure if I should exchange it through AZ and chance getting another non thirgen box, or say screw it and use this one. Does anyone have any experience with this box, or have any advice on what I should do? Thanks a lot.

 

Well I just changed mine today I have an 83 and my steering box has a raised 605 on the top of the gear. Does yours have any raised numbers on the case.

 

The new box has a raised 84 on it. The box that's on my car now has 26000525 and a raised Z on it.

I went out to my car a few minutes ago to try and match it up and I don't think it will fit. They are both a three bolt pattern but the positioning is different. I'm just going to take it back to the store and get one from somewhere else. Autozone sucks at getting parts right.

Time to fight with the manager over reimbursing my shipping charge.

 

Yes that seems to happen more and more lately good luck.

 

The raised Z on the box does indicate that it is a quick ratio box, but all the quick ratio boxes I've ever seen were in fact an actual 2.5 turn to turn.

 

Yeah that's what I thought too. I had no idea that I even had the Z box until I looked today. I've never driven another thirdgen so I had nothing to compare it to. I'm going to keep an eye out on the classifieds to see if I can get a used one for cheap. Another places sell remanned ones at a good price?

 

I just check Advanced and AZ before they closed tonight and they both sell a "z" box for under $125 with a life time warranty. Can't beat that.....Just like a sore p*ter

 

P.S. both companies asked if I wanted the 3.5 or 2.5 box. Oddly enough the 3.5 box was a few dollars more.

 

Yeah I thought that was weird too. Since I got the wrong one from AZ already so I think I'll check out Advance and see if they have one in stock so I can confirm that it is in fact a "z" box. Thanks for looking at those two places.

 

The raised Z on the box is only a casting ID. It has nothing to do with what is inside of the box. To ID the box GM used a 2-letter ink stamp on it (JL, HX, etc.).

The # of turns L-to-L also varies even within the fast ratio boxes. As there are end stops inside the box that can be changed via different thicknesses.

The way to ID a fast ratio box is either with some degree wheels and measuring the change in output to the change in input.

Or, pull the top cover off and look at the worm gear (shaft), a fast ratio shaft will have two narrow grooves in the top portion of it.

RBob.

 

Thanks for all the info. To be honest I really don't really care that much it I get a quick ratio over a standard one, my only concern is that the box I buy will fit in the car and bolt up. The one that is on there now is so worn out that anything will be an improvement. When I go to the store and grab another one, and if I'm only concerned with it fitting, what number/letter should I be looking for? 25000525 or something like that? Thanks for your help.

 

Having the correct casting ID will help, as it will bolt up to the car.

BobR.