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Does anyone have experience with the new Vega boxes I see on Ebay? I have seen them for as little as $150.00. Are these imports? Any issues about quality? Thought I saw someplace that they are a little larger than a genuine Vega box, I have tight quarters and if the box is larger it could be a problem. Any comments would be appreciated.
Regards
There are other steering boxes out there that work as well as a Vega.
Here's a pic of a Saginaw 525 which is a touch heavier duty and bolts right onto a Vega mount.
Main difference is the longer input shaft which could be an advantage in some installations.
Here's the Saginaw 122 which also bolts to the Vega mount.
Fwiw - the Vega box is a Saginaw 140
And here's what we think is a mid-80's or so box.
Maybe from a Camaro or similar sized GM product.
ID'd by the "S" shaped pitman arm.
Be careful when you're looking for this box.
There's another Saginaw out there that looks very similar - has a straight pitman arm if I remember right - but has opposite rotation.
One box is for a rear steer car and the other for a front steer car.
Just keep in mind that for most hot rod use the pitman arm is turned forward and the pitman goes left to turn the car right and vice versa.
We've found these boxes to be very reasonable.
The last one cost $40.
You'll have to make your own adapter plate, but that's easy.
They're a little larger than the commonly used 140, 122 & 525 Saginaws, but they'll fit in most installations.
Long as I'm at it, here's a pic of the popular Vega #140 box.
Most times these boxes are in pretty good shape and all they need is adjustment and new seals.
GM no longer sells the seals and Mullins won't sell the seals.
No big deal, any bearing house either has a seal that fits or can get one.
Clean the box out, paint or powder it, re-assemble with new seals, spoon it full of Sta-Lubes Extreme pressure grease with Molybdenum Disulfide, install cover, adjust and install.
GM specs call for grease in these boxes, but GM doesn't stock it.
I've found the Sta-Lube grease to work well.
One other nice part about the Vega box is that the aluminum cover plate buffs up nicely.