1956 Thunderbird Power Steering Control valve dowel pin alignment

[SimsLM01]

I purchased both a remanufactured and a new power steering control valve for my 56 Thunderbird (both made by Lares). The problem is the Dowel alignment that fits through the control valve into the drag link is not aligned correctly. Both the remanufactured and the new one are identical, but are different from my original control valve that I replaced. Has anyone had similar problems with this?

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[doug7740]

The power steering control valve should be threaded onto the steering arm until the center of the control valve ball stud is 9.5 inches from the center of the left-hand connecting rod stud or the hole if the connecting rod is not installed.



With the control valve ball stud properly installed and adjusted, install the 1/8-inch roll pin to prevent the control valve from turning. If this is a new drag link a 1/8-inch hole will need to be drilled for the roll pin. After the roll pin is installed slide the clamp back in place and tighten the clamp bolt.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[SimsLM01]

The power steering control valve should be threaded onto the steering arm until the center of the control valve ball stud is 9.5 inches from the center of the left-hand connecting rod stud or the hole if the connecting rod is not installed.

View attachment 35865

With the control valve ball stud properly installed and adjusted, install the 1/8-inch roll pin to prevent the control valve from turning. If this is a new drag link a 1/8-inch hole will need to be drilled for the roll pin. After the roll pin is installed slide the clamp back in place and tighten the clamp bolt.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

View attachment 35866

Thanks for the reply, however, mine is an older drag link with the hole already drilled. It's just not aligned with the Lares valves. The original control valve I replaced was the one with the larger hose holes (no adapters needed).

 

[SimsLM01]

The power steering control valve should be threaded onto the steering arm until the center of the control valve ball stud is 9.5 inches from the center of the left-hand connecting rod stud or the hole if the connecting rod is not installed.

View attachment 35865

With the control valve ball stud properly installed and adjusted, install the 1/8-inch roll pin to prevent the control valve from turning. If this is a new drag link a 1/8-inch hole will need to be drilled for the roll pin. After the roll pin is installed slide the clamp back in place and tighten the clamp bolt.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

View attachment 35866

Yes, it's mounted with the correct distance, 9.5 inches. However, on the both the Lares' remanufactured and new power steering control valves, the hole for the dowel pin is located so it's straight up and down. My original drag link hole is approx 40 degrees from straight up and down. You can't turn it 40 degrees because of the way the ball stud enters the pitman arm. Lares simply installs larger hose adapters on the input and return hose holes and sells a later mustang or whatever power steering control valve for a 55-56 Tbird replacement. They are not the same.

 

[Tom Alpers]

Yes, it's mounted with the correct distance, 9.5 inches. However, on the both the Lares' remanufactured and new power steering control valves, the hole for the dowel pin is located so it's straight up and down. My original drag link hole is approx 40 degrees from straight up and down. You can't turn it 40 degrees because of the way the ball stud enters the pitman arm. Lares simply installs larger hose adapters on the input and return hose holes and sells a later mustang or whatever power steering control valve for a 55-56 Tbird replacement. They are not the same.

What about having yours rebuilt? This site seems very knowledgeable and they do rebuilding. Or maybe call them and see if your are missing something and what you already have can be made to work.

Rebuilding Services Index

Stanger's Site - Index for Rebuilding Services

www.stangerssite.com

 

[SimsLM01]

What about having yours rebuilt? This site seems very knowledgeable and they do rebuilding. Or maybe call them and see if your are missing something and what you already have can be made to work.

Rebuilding Services Index

Stanger's Site - Index for Rebuilding Services

www.stangerssite.com

Unfortunately, I sent my old original one in as a core - big mistake. And now I have two (remanufactured and new one). Both are identical as far as dowel pin location. The reason I traded my old one in was because the inverted flare seals needed to be replaced and I could not find anywhere to purchase them.