55-56 Power Steering Bendix vs Monroe

Posted by Craig Hendrickson On 2009/10/3 16:28:01

Here's a problem I've had with my 55 Pat for a while that I plan to fix this winter. It has Bendix power steering which has a lot of "slop" off the center position before anything happens at the wheel. Because of an inspection I did about a year ago, I'm sure this is due to slop in the "control valve". The steering box is tight as are the other front end steering linkages components. In the Bendix, when the steering box arm moves, it moves a lever in the control valve assembly which, if it has slop in it, delays any movement of the power ram and hence the steering mechanism. In other words, this could be described as "indirect" power-assisted steering.

I have two 1956 400s, both with the Monroe power steering. Since one has the engine and front clip removed, it is easy to see how the Monroe works compared to the Bendix. In the Monroe, when the steering box arm moves, the entire control valve assembly moves; the power assist coming on internally, although the power assist could be delayed if the control valve were worn or leaking. In any case, there should be minimal, if any, slop in that arrangement. In other words, this could be described as "direct" power-assisted steering.

I have two questions:

(1) Anyone have direct experience with both systems and does your experience parallel mine?

(2) If not yes to (1), anyone with a Monroe have sloppy steering?

The results of discussion about this topic will probably determine which way I go to fix this problem. I.e., rebuild the Bendix control valve (non-trivial) or have one of the Monroes rebuilt (outside work, probably by Kantor).

Craig