Power steering for 707 L model ?

[Robert J. Walla]

Restoring LS 1113 a 1953 Ex FDNY firetruck that served Times Square and the Bronx during the "War Years". I have an opening at the aux. drive. Does anyone have any info on who , what and where? I heard there was a post on the subject back in 2016. Thanks Robert J. Walla retired Little Rock FD.

[Brocky]

I presume a Mack someone will answer your question on a hydraulic power steering application. I read in the John Deere Green Magazine a couple three months ago about an electric power steering unit which attaches to the shaft above the steering box.

[T-Mack1]

Some tv show/or YouTube video I watched a few months ago had a hydraulic pump for the steering that somehow was mounted to the back end of the generator.

I always wondered if one of those new electric assist units they make for custom cars could be fitted.     

[mowerman]

I had one of those on my 55 Chevy bel air…. pump was attached to back of generator with the tie rod ram I’m sure one could use on other vehicles but retro Chevy parts are a fortune good luck. Bob

[terry]

The power steering pump was standard on B models on back of generator,the the early R models had a belt driven one, then the maxidyne series had it on back of compressor, i have seen on B models where a bracket was made for the belt driven and ran off of front fan belt from crankshaft.  terry

[mattb73lt]

I'm not aware of any factory power steering for a lighter L model, like a fire truck, of that era. Heavier construction equipment it was available. It is possible to fit power steering to it with some modification. Add-on units were a later option. Like the hydraulic Garrison units. Those usually had the pump on the back of the generator, a shuttle valve built into the drag link and a hydraulic piston attached to the front axle to the tie rod. Another add-on was from Air-O-Matic. Somewhat the same as the Garrison set up, but tapped into the air system of the truck for the power assist. Those were OK, but when maneuvering in tight quarters you usually ran out of air and had to wait for the air pressure to build back up. I have one that came off my B42 when I first got it. It was prone to leaking when in use, it did help, but would stop the truck when the air ran down and the maxi brakes would come on. Those are still made and available, the most common current application is for the M35 series of military trucks.

As for modern electric power steering, I have not seen any other than hot rod applications. Some more searching may come up with a solution.

[terry]

I once owned a B421 dump truck which was a flathead gas job, had a factory sheppard p/s box, with the pump driven off back of generator.  terry 

[HarryS]

If you are looking to convert to power steering I have a Garrison hydraulic unit that came off of a B model.

[Robert J. Walla]

Thank you to all who responded . Robert

[mattb73lt]

Just to add a little more to this and several have mentioned it, but a Sheppard unit would be another option. Certainly a power steering box from another truck could be modified to fit and some have done that. From what I have seen, the Sheppard unit came in two sizes for B models, large and small. These were bolt in units that used a cut off and modified B model steering column with a u-joint at the bottom to mate to the box. The smaller one was for lighter trucks and the lager unit was for B61's and up. Old timers have called this "In the box Power Steering" compared to the add on units like Garrison and Air-O-Matic. This style to me is the best. Both units dramatically ease the efforts of steering and maneuvering loaded trucks in tight quarters. Someone may have one of these units available if you ask around. They are more rare and harder to locate nowadays. I lucked out and came across a large one when I bought 1/2 a B61SX 10 wheel dump to get the transmission for my first restoration and conversion to diesel of a B42. I didn't even know it was there until I disassemble the truck. Funny thing was, I didn't end up using the transmission, but all the little parts and mounts were invaluable to the swap. Once I got the correct pump and reservoir set up for it, it steered like a car. Loaded or empty, standing still on pavement it only takes one finger to move the wheel lock to lock. It really steers that easy. I added a Garrison unit to my B73 restoration and while it's a very good assist, it doesn't compare to the Sheppard box. 

Since L's are not that dissimilar to B's it wouldn't be difficult at all to add some sort of steering assist to your truck, like the Garrison unit HarryS offered up. Good luck and keep us informed of what path you take? It always adds to the general knowledge of the group.

[mowerman]

Very well put and yes, my DM is the same way standing still I can steer with one finger also sheppard

[mowerman]

If you poke around Google, I found a company in Florida that rebuilds but you need a core exchange or forfeit the fee they wanted 900 bucks for a rebuild for mine and same price to ship it total of 1800 bucks but then again you need a part number to give him good luck… Bob

[1961H67]

I put a TRW Box on my H Model, it came off a S Series IHC , I just cut the section out of the frame that the box bolted to, removed my original manual box, bolted the frame section to the Mack frame and mounted the PS Box , modified the drag link and steering shaft,, Mounted a belt drive pump on the right side top of the 673 , runs off the fan belt. Like driving a different truck!    I have a parts LJ with an air assist unit if anyone is interested.