[G.M.]

I have install numerous steering shocks on old Fords. Make sure any damper installed has a long enough stroke so you get enough motion in both directions. Put the wheels straight ahead and put a chalk mark on the axle and one in line with that one on the tie rod. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and left marking the axle with the mark on the tie rod. The distance better the two outer marks is the stroke. Lets just say it is 10 inches then find a damper with a 12 inch stroke. When installing put the wheels straight ahead and extend the steering damper shaft 6 inches. This way you get the full turn range and have a little extra so it don't bottom out. I can leave my hands off the wheel at 70 MPH and the car tracks straight down the road. This addition is NOT installed the fix front end problems. Before installing with the wheels straight ahead and on the ground have someone turn the steering wheel past any play to the right and left while your under the car looking for any play at loose wheel bearings, lug nuts, king pins, tie rod ends, where the perch bolt goes through the top of the axle, the steering wheel bolted on tight, the mounting bolts of the steering box, the steering box mounting adaptor, steering box shaft bushing and play in the box gears. I bought a 40 coupe years ago and the steering wheel turned half way around in both directions before starting to turn. I found almost everyone of the above items loose, I fixed them with no parts and had perfect steering. Where the perch bolts go through the top of the axle look for a ring of rust, that indicates movement, The nut on the bottom is hard to turn and may need heat to get them to turn. G.M.