I ordered and received one of these. It is a new, never mounted unit, but it might not be made by Lares. It looks similar. It was shipped by FedEx (which in itself can be an issue) inside its original box, sitting inside a RockAuto box, with some plastic air pillows as packing. These pillows were mostly popped by the the 38 pound part banging around inside. The outer box bottom was breaking loose. The inner, original box was really beat, apparently much before it took its latest trip.
The box has a Cardone sticker, over another brand label. The sticker is under clear tape. It looks like it shows "GEM" on the underlying label. Part number listed is 27-6542.
The box contained fittings, o-rings, and some paperwork (which references the Chrysler gear):
Following are two images showing the unit next to my original T/A steering gear with its fast ratio pitman arm from one of my T/A Challengers.
The output shaft is 1.25" and shows signs of heat treating. The input shaft does have a master spline. The unit is filled with power steering fluid. It is physically smaller overall. Roughly measured, the mounting holes placement appears correct. However, the height of the input shaft placement it lower than the original steering gear. A quick tape measurement from a mounting hole to level of the input shaft is about 1" difference in the column to shaft mounting to insert the roll pin. There is not enough play in the factory coupler to accommodate one inch, although some are longer than others. Extending the collapsible inner shaft on 1970-later applications might make up the difference. A swapped longer inner shaft or extending the original shaft with a welded sleeve would work. For cars with the additional rubber coupler, an extension could be made there. A direct input shaft splined extension might be available. Note that it would be different from the Chrysler power steering to manual steering adapter/extension. The
Bergman Auto Craft Direct-Fit Steering Box Coupler might work.
The return fitting extends straight, like some late model steering gears, instead of angled, and is for a 3/8" hose as used with 1968 and later. The pressure hose fitting is intended for the 1975 and later style, but the earlier style fitting can be swapped. However, the threads from mine were too long and bottomed out. A thicker or an added copper sealing ring could correct it. The included fitting did not have a sealing ring for it, but should have a copper sealing ring or similar.
The tag on the unit has a part number of 10300022 and an apparent serial number. Some checking shows that this number falls under a more broadly used number of 82-00475AN. It could be Lares, it's not Saginaw, and it's labeled as "GEM" masquerading as Cardone, but the actual manufacture is unclear, but several sources quote BuyAutoParts as the maker, although that looks more like a distributor at website buyautoparts.com. I didn't see a marking on the unit, but on its box, it lists county of origin (C.O.O.) as Mexico. It's for sale on ebay, Amazon, Walmart, buyautoparts.com, among others. It's listed to fit all applications that a Chrysler 1.25" shaft unit fits, IE. 1973-1989 all, B-van, and 1972 prior C-bodies. It's odd that it seems this close, but with the input shaft placement which is shorter than the stock Chrysler unit. Some reviews mention the need to modify the steering input shaft or elongate a mounting hole. 82-00475AN has been mentioned in a few threads here on FCBO without any definite outcome as to details of its performance, fit, etc.
It looks like a viable alternative to a factory steering gear, but its pedigree, true fit, performance, and reliability, is mostly unknown. I'm not sure where I will use it. It looks like four years ago it was closer to $600 than $60.
