The Oldsmobile Connection

[coleman]

Hi, first post. Big question :wink:

I have a 1986 Cutlass Ciera SL International Coupe (whew) and the previous owner basically checked all of the boxes when he bought it - then neglected to maintain it :p

It's in need of a replacement steering rack. I know GM made a bazillion A-bodies like this (don't folks call them clone cars?) and I am trying to find what vehicles have what steering ratios so I can either get the same one or perhaps make a change to another ratio!

I know the Pontiac 6000STE has a quick ratio box, that's all I can find. What does that mean, what are the alternatives?

Any help is much appreciated :)

[88 Coupe]

Hi coleman,

Welcome to TOC,

Quote: ........ previous owner basically checked all of the boxes when he bought it ........
If so, that would have included the quicker (lower) ratio included in the FE3 option, as opposed to the standard setup.

Quote: ........ I know the Pontiac 6000STE has a quick ratio box ........
Also an option. Same car, same parts.

Quote: ........ What does that mean ........
Quicker ratio means there will be less turns of the steering wheel for a given movement of the steered wheels. Tradeoff is, there is less leverage and, it will be harder to steer.

Both flavors are available from your local auto parts supplier.

Regards, Norm

[coleman]

Thanks for the RPO code, it looks like it is a quick ratio.

Numerically - what are these ratios? I assume they are variable ratios like so many of the sedans GM made? And there were only two available, right?

Thanks!

[88 Coupe]

coleman wrote: ........ Numerically - what are these ratios? ........
No idea. I'm guessing, 85cieraholiday will have the answer.

Quote: ........ I assume they are variable ratios ........
My understanding is: Everything from that era on, is VR. In your case, if one is, the other will be, also.

Quote: ........ there were only two available, right?
Only two were needed.

Norm

[coleman]

I've found this, but not the range of gear ratios. This is all I needed anyways.

2.8 turns lock to lock for the quick ratio.
3.2 turns lock to lock for the standard ratio.

Thank you for your help.

[88 Coupe]

coleman wrote: ........ Thank you for your help.
Any time.

Norm

[85cieraholiday]

88 Coupe wrote: coleman wrote: ........ Numerically - what are these ratios? ........
No idea. I'm guessing, 85cieraholiday will have the answer.


I checked my various piles of papers books and such, and so far here is what I found for a steering ratio.

This comes from the 1985 Motor Vehicle Specifications booklet which I got from the GM Heritage Center as part of the packet they sent me on my car.

Page 14 list a Power Gear Ratio Overall as 17.56:1. I hope Norm or someone else can tell you what that means because I don't really know. This would also be for the standard set up, and there is no other set up listed. Tomarrow Ill dig a little more and see if I can find some other info.

[88 Coupe]

85cieraholiday wrote: ........ Page 14 list a Power Gear Ratio Overall as 17.56:1 ........
Thanks. You've given numbers to my above statement.

A 360° revolution of the steering wheel will turn the wheels about 20.5°

Norm