QuestionHello Dick,
I am currently thinking about purchasing a 66 T-Bird. The current owner tells me that the steering box needs to be attached for it to be driveable. My question is, is this a difficult process, one that should be done by a professional, or could it be tackled by a novice. Also for the current owner to repair it would cost me another $1,500 sound right?
AnswerSimply attaching a steering box that is already installed in the car is very simple - there are only two things that need to be attached in order to drive it a short distance (like up on a trailer)- the pittman arm that connects to the steering linkage, and the steering shaft that comes down from the steering wheel. To drive it any distance, you would want to also hook up the power steering hoses and fill the reservoir to make it safe to drive in traffic - these cars are VERY hard to steer without the power steering hooked up and working right.
However, since these are disconnected, there is very likely a serious reason for this. If the steering gearbox needs to be rebuilt, it will have to be removed completely and sent out to a professional rebuilding service - and the rebuild will cost about $300. If there are problems with the steering column (and these are troublesome on these cars) or with the steering linkage or power assist system, you could be getting involved with some very serious costs - I would not touch this car without letting the current owner take care of whatever is wrong with it, then negotiate a price knowing the steering is not going to be a problem.
$1500 would cover a very extensive repair of many parts- I'd certainly want a complete list of what is going to be done to it before agreeing to pay that much. Of course I don't know where you live, but if the shop labor rate in your area is about $50 per hour, that sounds high unless there are major problems with the steering system. It sounds to me like a car to be avoided - let the current owner get it all fixed and then negotiate a price.
Dick
