khov221 Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 (edited) ive got a 1964 studebaker avanti it has the original power steeering system that doesnt work as in it leaks very bad i know you can get this system rebuilt but i was wondering if there was a more modern system that you can put on the car Edited January 24, 2015 by khov221 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Unless you decide to make drastic changes, like go to rack and pinion like some folks have done to their Avantis, you pretty much have to stick with what you have. I agree with you that the Bendix system isn't the greatest....it's basically an 'add on' assist for a manual steering system.....But if you deal with all the individual components, and restore them to like new condition, I think you'll find it to be a leak free, trouble free system, that you will rarely need to think about!....Good luck with your Avanti! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R3truck Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 If you are in So. California, Orange County Studebaker is a good place to go. They are on the Studebaker Vendors page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khov221 Posted January 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 thanks for the input guys i dont live in socal so i wont be able to do that and i dont have the cash to convert to rack and pinion just out of curiosity though how much would the rack and pinion conversion run me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PackardV8 Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 The Stude PS system is identical to early '60s Fords and anyone who can work on a Mustang can rebuild the Stude PS, even use most of the same parts. It ain't expensive, it ain't rocket science. jack vines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunslinger Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 I have no personal experience with this, so what I'm saying is hearsay and maybe no relevance, but all comments I've read or heard about converting an Avanti (or any Studebaker) to rack and pinion is that it's not worth the effort. It creates a lot of engineering and fit problems, very expensive, upsets the built-in geometry of the chassis and results in bad, possibly even dangerous bump-steer. We're discussing what is at its core, a 1953 chassis that was pretty well-engineered for its period. While it can be improved some, a wholesale change with parts not designed for it that require significant engineering and fabrication talent for a car still over fifty years old that's essentially relegated to a collectible and occasionally driven, isn't an orange worth the squeeze. To me...the numerous potential downsides aren't worth the trouble and expense. Having the original power steering system is straightforward and far less expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avanti83 Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) This topic has been fairly beaten to death on the SDC forum with the conclusion that without a fair amount of knowledge and engineering a R&P system can create problems beyond the advantages expected. Here's a recent update on a commercial product from the SDC Forum. http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?71496-Slick-Street-vs-OEM-Steering-Gear I'm quite happy with the ride and handling of my 83 with a complete front end rebuild, KYB shocks and low profile tires on 8" rims. It's not a Corvette but a darn fine road car. My 74 will be similar but with Delrin bushings replacing the rubber. Cost wise, anywhere from buying an early 90's GM Cavalier R&P assembly for $100 and installing it yourself to mid to high thousands if you deal with a high end suspension company. Not trying to be trite but how high is up. Need a bit more data on what direction you are trying to go from installing it yourself to taking it to Art Morrision. On the other hand there do exist a number of Avanti's and Studebakers with an upgrade to R&P. Grobb on the forum has one I know of so it can be done. Jerry Forrester has done it on the SDC Forum. It's in how much does one know and want to spend. Edited January 25, 2015 by Avanti83 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khov221 Posted January 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 what yall are saying only confrims my decision to not upgrade figured id ask but wanted costs down to less then a thousand dollars so repair it is thank you all for the info im glad to have signe dup for this so i could get some feedback from other avanti owners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StudeNorm Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 The standard power steering system can normally be rebuilt for under $100 if you want to pull it apart and do it yourself. All the rebuild kits are available and normally it is only the seals and rubber bits that need replacing. I know as I am going through this process right now. Make sure all the other steering components are tight and you should have a decent driving car by the time you are done. Mind you if the car was seriously neglected before you got it all bets are off. As stated above, most components (not all) can be replaced with early Ford parts so you should still be able to salvage it and get back on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khov221 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Haha this car has been cared for way before I was born only thing wrong with it that keeps it from driving is the power steering Thank you for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StudeNorm Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Sounds like you have a family car and know the history. That is great. Getting the car drivable should only be a matter of seals, hoses, gasket kits and any other and sundry piece that can wear out, dry out or otherwise fail through nothing other than just age. Go over it with a fine tooth comb and don't be in a rush. Having all your ducks in a row before re-assembly will save a lot of headaches. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khov221 Posted January 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 yes it is a family car its been in my family sense the 70's used to be a daily driver until the first motocycles came into our lives but we still drive it most summers untill the PS went out last time it was out was in 2012 not show quality by any means but still drivable and thats all i want out of it lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milt Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 I would check all the lines also. You can buy new ones and most are not too hard to install. Mine looked okay, and then one day a line failed, pumped fluid all over the exhaust manifold, which then caught on fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 That's a day you'll never forget! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milt Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 It failed where the fitting is crimped to the hose. I was able to put out the fire with the pillow my wife used to get higher in our Avanti bucket seats. Just smothered it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfg Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Thank goodness for that......Fiberglass and Fire just don't mix! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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