[The Fall]

I've got a '56 Chevy 210 Handyman wagon I'm building with a friend for my dad. I was 100% fine with manual steering, but my dad really wanted power steering. We installed the CPP power-steering kit. In and of itself, the equipment -- steering-gear box, p/s pump -- works as it should, but it was lined with issues that required small modifications -- from clearance past the firewall, a smaller rag joint that wasn't included, etc.

Anyway, I've had nothing but issues with this steering column. We even got the shortened steering column for the p/s conversion, used the proper Grant adapter and a really nice Moon Eyes metalflake steering wheel. But everything from horns sticking on, to steering wheels coming loose. There's still a lot to do with the car, and not much time to do it.

Has anyone else fought these problems and where did you take it? My dad hasn't worked on a car since Vietnam, lives three states away, so I want something damn near bulletproof. If I can dumb it down and just run a straight column with a turn signal switch attached to it, throw a Lokar floor shifter in, I'm about there at this point.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I've got a '56 Chevy 210 Handyman wagon I'm building with a friend for my dad. I was 100% fine with manual steering, but my dad really wanted power steering. We installed the CPP power-steering kit. In and of itself, the equipment -- steering-gear box, p/s pump -- works as it should, but it was lined with issues that required small modifications -- from clearance past the firewall, a smaller rag joint that wasn't included, etc.

Anyway, I've had nothing but issues with this steering column. We even got the shortened steering column for the p/s conversion, used the proper Grant adapter and a really nice Moon Eyes metalflake steering wheel. But everything from horns sticking on, to steering wheels coming loose. There's still a lot to do with the car, and not much time to do it.

Has anyone else fought these problems and where did you take it? My dad hasn't worked on a car since Vietnam, lives three states away, so I want something damn near bulletproof. If I can dumb it down and just run a straight column with a turn signal switch attached to it, throw a Lokar floor shifter in, I'm about there at this point.

We can help you fix these problems.

First off, pictures of these issues would really help.

Second, can you be more specific about the problems? Which Grant adapter did you use? Does the steering wheel come loose after tightening? Which steering column are you using? Does the column fit well? Floor shift or column shift?
Is the metalflake steering wheel a necessary part of this build? If so, that may limit your options. What size is it?

Looking forward to your response. Keep us posted and we'll keep offering suggestions and solutions.

 

[The Fall]

I appreciate the help. We used the adapter Moon Eyes recommended -- GB 4160.

We've fought this thing for months. It'll work flawlessly for eight weeks, column fitment is great (column shift) then the horn will stick with a constant ground. The steering wheel works itself loose over time. The horn relay is good. I thought we had it this last time, we moved onto interior, and now we've got to revisit it for the third time. This is after spending too much time on the initial install with the CPP kit. It's difficult cuz we can only attack it on the weekend, mostly Saturdays, and it's time to move on.

We're going to get into it again most likely this weekend. I really didn't mind the captain's wheel, which only adds to the frustration. I'm sure we can figure it out. I just don't want to spend much more time on it. I'll let you know what we find. I was interested in hearing from others -- if this was a battle for them and where they went with it.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I appreciate the help. We used the adapter Moon Eyes recommended -- GB 4160.

Although it was pretty much the only option available for many years, the classic Grant chrome cap adapter is probably the worst ever made.

We've fought this thing for months. It'll work flawlessly for eight weeks, column fitment is great (column shift) then the horn will stick with a constant ground. The steering wheel works itself loose over time. The horn relay is good. I thought we had it this last time, we moved onto interior, and now we've got to revisit it for the third time. This is after spending too much time on the initial install with the CPP kit. It's difficult cuz we can only attack it on the weekend, mostly Saturdays, and it's time to move on.

I'm betting that the two problems are related - the steering wheel loosening up is causing the constant ground condition on the horn.

We're going to get into it again most likely this weekend. I really didn't mind the captain's wheel, which only adds to the frustration. I'm sure we can figure it out. I just don't want to spend much more time on it. I'll let you know what we find. I was interested in hearing from others -- if this was a battle for them and where they went with it.

To answer you question, I've never had a problem with aftermarket steering column fitment, or with a steering wheel coming loose, but I HAVE battled those damned Grant adapters all of my hotrod gearhead life. They are fairly simple but can be a real headache if you have the wrong adapter or application.
Can you be specific, is it the adapter hub itself that comes loose from the steering shaft, or the steering wheel itself (where it bolts to the Grant hub)? The wheel itself is held on by the large steering shaft nut, but is held in place from turning by the three 7/16" shoulder bolts under the cap. The only function of those bolts is to hold the contact plate in place.

 

[The Fall]

I posit it's the Grant steering adapter. That thing has been horrible to work with. And I'm certain you're correct, regarding the constant ground. The whole hub came off.

I'm at that point where rather than try to keep fighting this, I'm seeing if there are any other options. I've replaced turn signal switches -- even in C3 Corvettes with the tilt-telescoping column -- but this is even causing my friend some consternation, and he's a top-tier mechanic. Again, it's just a matter of time and being only able to hit it on the weekends. If we could focus more time on it and had a dedicated space, it wouldn't be such an ordeal.

I appreciate your thorough responses. We'll get it.

 

[The Fall]

Okay. It took a couple of days for me to get into this. I've had everything from a drunk lady ram into my '07 Silverado to these ongoing issues with the '56 in the last couple of weeks.

After having the horns go full full poltergeist last week (pulled the fuse and relay) to the steering getting dangerous, I parked it for two days and finally had the motivation to look at it an hour ago. I was wrong about the Grant adaptor. It had taken up quite a bit of our time on the last go around -- just getting it right so that the horn wouldn't intermittently beep on turns. Anyway, that has a Nyloc nut on it and it was securely fastened, as were the three bolts holding the horn contact. That part is fine. What had happened was the steering shaft decoupled from the rag joint.

When my friend and I worked on this, he handled the harder stuff with the column, while I removed the header, stabbed the gearbox/pitman arm, and set up the power steering pump/belts. Now we had serious issues with the supplied rag joint burning on the shifter linkage -- I'm still running a column shift (Turbo 350) and we couldn't get it into park. We grinded down the bolts as best we could on the rag joint to get some breathing room, but I eventually sourced a smaller rag joint that CPP makes but doesn't include in the kit. He tapped a hole and put a roll pin in there. That had to have come out or sheered off. I'm going to pull the rag joint tomorrow and bring it into the garage Wednesday. Obviously, we're going to need to double on that.

I really didn't like this install and kit. I don't mind some adversity and setbacks -- that's hot rodding -- but power steering is really low bang for the buck on my end. We've put a ton of work into this wagon, but that's one I could've let my dad pass onto a local hot rod shop.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Okay. It took a couple of days for me to get into this. I've had everything from a drunk lady ram into my '07 Silverado to these ongoing issues with the '56 in the last couple of weeks.

After having the horns go full full poltergeist last week (pulled the fuse and relay) to the steering getting dangerous, I parked it for two days and finally had the motivation to look at it an hour ago. I was wrong about the Grant adaptor. It had taken up quite a bit of our time on the last go around -- just getting it right so that the horn wouldn't intermittently beep on turns. Anyway, that has a Nyloc nut on it and it was securely fastened, as were the three bolts holding the horn contact. That part is fine. What had happened was the steering shaft decoupled from the rag joint.

When my friend and I worked on this, he handled the harder stuff with the column, while I removed the header, stabbed the gearbox/pitman arm, and set up the power steering pump/belts. Now we had serious issues with the supplied rag joint burning on the shifter linkage -- I'm still running a column shift (Turbo 350) and we couldn't get it into park. We grinded down the bolts as best we could on the rag joint to get some breathing room, but I eventually sourced a smaller rag joint that CPP makes but doesn't include in the kit. He tapped a hole and put a roll pin in there. That had to have come out or sheered off. I'm going to pull the rag joint tomorrow and bring it into the garage Wednesday. Obviously, we're going to need to double on that.

I really didn't like this install and kit. I don't mind some adversity and setbacks -- that's hot rodding -- but power steering is really low bang for the buck on my end. We've put a ton of work into this wagon, but that's one I could've let my dad pass onto a local hot rod shop.

Glad you found the problem, and it's a good thing you found it now. That roll pin setup sounds kinda hairy.
Was it the only thing stopping the rag joint from rotating on the shaft?

 

[The Fall]

Yeah, we used the roll pin provided with the smaller rag joint -- CPP part # RJC-605S. It was the only rag joint that would work with a column shift.

Clearly, it's insufficient. We're gonna drill it out further and run a bolt, Nyloc nut and some red Loctite on it. Just short of welding the damn thing together.

Never again. If I get another old car with manual steering, it's staying manual. My '51 Ford F1 came with power steering when I bought it in 2011, so it stayed.

Nice chatting with you.

 

[Black_57]

That rag joint (RJC-605S), on the side that uses the rolled pin, a DD shaft is supposed to be inserted/used. The purpose of the rolled pin is to keep the rag joint moving up or down on the DD shaft (which should already be kind of a tight fit). Not prevent the shaft from spinning.

I think the issue with using a bolt is you won't get it tight enough to prevent the DD shaft having that up and down play. That's why roll pins are used.

I'm betting the hole was drilled too large.
My suggestion would be get a bigger roll pin, or tack weld the rag joint to the DD steering shaft.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[The Fall]

That's correct. I can still move/turn the car around my driveway so long as I don't lift up on the column and the shaft comes out of the rag joint. That's where it's staying until the weekend when we can dial this in.

I'm most likely going with a bolt. Welding is too permanent for me. I've had enough of the roll pin.

 

[Shadetree55]

That's correct. I can still move/turn the car around my driveway so long as I don't lift up on the column and the shaft comes out of the rag joint. That's where it's staying until the weekend when we can dial this in.

I'm most likely going with a bolt. Welding is too permanent for me. I've had enough of the roll pin.

bolt and a "tack" weld isn't too permanent. Just a safety.

 

[The Fall]

Safety would've been keeping the stock setup in. I had nothing against the manual steering.

I'll take a look at it with my friend this weekend and make a judgement call. Again, it's leaving my possession in a few months.

Thanks. I'm off to the garage.