CPP 400 power steering issues
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 264
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From: UuupstateNY
CPP 400 power steering issues
I installed a cpp400 power steering box a while ago ( 56 F100) but just started to drive the truck. It had a good bit of steering wander I thought it was toe in. I took it for alignment (original straight axle). Still has some wander. The tech (40 years experience ) said the steering box was moving, on the plate . Not the plate to frame but the box on the plate. Searching threads I only found 1 mention of threads saying there where issues with it, but didn't find any. I will call cpp Monday. Anyone know of anyone or threads that have had issues? Thanks Dean
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 77
From: UuupstateNY
There are counter sunk flat head 5\16 Allen head screws holding the mounting plate to the steering box. The threads were just barely NOT cut deep enough in some holes to tighten the screws to the plate. When I took them out I found 1 screw that had been ground to shorten it. So I tried each 1 individually. If you did them all at once you didn't notice, but trying each one by itself it was loose on 3 screws. I shortened those three on there respective holes and added a drop of locktite . Hopefully I won't have any more problems as it isn't any fun to get that box out and back in. I realize no one answered this to begin with but as I said there were mentions of issues but I couldn't find them. Any way just a follow up. Dean
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 892
Likes: 85
From: Western Massachusetts
I'm following your thread. Interested if your bolt shortening cures the steering wander.
I recently completed my 1954 F100 restoration and drove it for the first time early last month. As expected there were several things found while driving that needed attention. Fortunately most were easy to address. The most concerning is steering wander. I added an additional 4 degrees of caster shim to the front axle and increased toe-in which helped a lot but it is still excessive. All components on the front end are either new or rebuilt. My power steering box is a factory re-manufactured Toyota. Unlike your 400 Series, the old style Toyota is not a close ratio unit. I'm thinking that part of my perception of the "wander" has to do with the great amount of wheeling require to turn the wheels. I'm considering upgrading to the 400.
I recently completed my 1954 F100 restoration and drove it for the first time early last month. As expected there were several things found while driving that needed attention. Fortunately most were easy to address. The most concerning is steering wander. I added an additional 4 degrees of caster shim to the front axle and increased toe-in which helped a lot but it is still excessive. All components on the front end are either new or rebuilt. My power steering box is a factory re-manufactured Toyota. Unlike your 400 Series, the old style Toyota is not a close ratio unit. I'm thinking that part of my perception of the "wander" has to do with the great amount of wheeling require to turn the wheels. I'm considering upgrading to the 400.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 52
From: Rincon GA
Other CPP 400 issues
Sorry I didn't see your original post as I would have checked it out. I have the CPP 400 unit as well. It sits in my shop while I work on other stuff. I am following another CPP forum, by Klawockvet, regarding other issues with the CPP unit. In that post, Klawockvet fabricatied his own spacer and he changed the PA nut to a lock nut. I decided that the 3/4" plate he used for a spacer was a pretty good idea so I made one for my install. I also decided to change the nut and washer out for a flanged nut, link shown below. to eliminate the need for the thick washer and to have more threads for the nut. Next item will be to remove the flathead screws and check them for thread depth as you have done.
Thank you for the post. I am blessed to have issues sorted by other users.
https://belmetric.com/m22x1-5-fine-1...u=NFF22X1.5BLK
Thank you for the post. I am blessed to have issues sorted by other users.
https://belmetric.com/m22x1-5-fine-1...u=NFF22X1.5BLK
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 77
From: UuupstateNY
The solid axle steers different than any newer front end. But fixing the box made a huge difference. Have someone move the steering wheel and watch the box and mounting plate. Thats where I could see a lot of movement . Now that the plate is secure to the box the movement is gone. I had already put mine in when I saw the post about the plate. I added 4° of shim before the alignment. The alignment fixed my wander. On the list for the future is sway bars, mid fifty and others say what a big difference that makes. I looked for a Toyota box but didn't find any. I have a couple threads past the pit man even with the washer.
But a higher ratio rear end needs to come first. Dean
But a higher ratio rear end needs to come first. Dean
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 52
From: Rincon GA
The solid axle steers different than any newer front end. But fixing the box made a huge difference. Have someone move the steering wheel and watch the box and mounting plate. Thats where I could see a lot of movement . Now that the plate is secure to the box the movement is gone. I had already put mine in when I saw the post about the plate. I added 4° of shim before the alignment. The alignment fixed my wander. On the list for the future is sway bar,I mid fifty and others say what a big difference that makes. I looked for a Toyota box but didn't find any. I have a couple threads past the pit man even with the washer.
But a higher ratio rear end needs to come first. Dean
But a higher ratio rear end needs to come first. Dean
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 264
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From: UuupstateNY
Yes , 4° shim on the leaf springs and my alignment guy said that was right with the radial tires. Dean
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 52
From: Rincon GA
I do have the 4 deg shims for mine but did not about the shims being "right with the radial tires."
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 264
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From: UuupstateNY
My steering is a lot better, tighter. It goes down the road straight, but it doesn't have any power for slow (driveway, side road turns) . Actually I am not sure it even is working. Going down the road is ok . I changed the original pump , came with the engine. 1985 RV 15000 miles, saginaw. The new (rebuilt) had the Ford whine no matter how I bled it ,couldn't stop it. Changed again and this one does the same as original. Any ideas ?? I will call CPP on Monday but if anyone else has had similar issues and has found a cure please let me know. Thanks Dean
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 52
From: Rincon GA
My steering is a lot better, tighter. It goes down the road straight, but it doesn't have any power for slow (driveway, side road turns) . Actually I am not sure it even is working. Going down the road is ok . I changed the original pump , came with the engine. 1985 RV 15000 miles, saginaw. The new (rebuilt) had the Ford whine no matter how I bled it ,couldn't stop it. Changed again and this one does the same as original. Any ideas ?? I will call CPP on Monday but if anyone else has had similar issues and has found a cure please let me know. Thanks Dean
Last edited by ManFordman2; Jun 16, 2023 at 05:11 PM. Reason: adding info
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