In article linked below, is this an issue with A-body cars, also?

Mopar Action article on sector support kit (steering):
http://www.firmfeel.com/img/Primesteer.pdf


If so, has anyone tried the firm feel sector support kit?

Firm Feel part:
http://www.firmfeel.com/a_body_mopar_sector_support_kit.html

I have one on my Satellite. Love it, easy to install. The only steering mod I have done to the car. No other gusseting or supports.

I have installed but I didn't really feel any difference

I've welded one simple gusset on the steeringbox mountpad and clearly felt the difference (A-body).
Would like to add the sectorsupport but I'm now doubting that it will improve much except lessen the wear on the inner bearing in the box itself.

I have pondered it for my 69 Satellite wagon as a cheap and easy bolt on to try to "clean" the wiggle out of the steering.

I put one on my E body. Don't expect a BIG difference.
I called Firm Feel and talked to Dick before I bought it, he said don't expect a BIG difference. He said all of the individual improvements I make will add up to a BIG improvement in the steering and handling of the car.
I also installed a FF steering box, tubular upper control arms, idler arm roller bearing kit and Bilstein shocks. This DID make a big improvement. The car handles close to a modern car now.
Very pleased..

I'm also inclined to think that mods like these are more noticable if you daily drive the car, instead of using as a weekend warrior, when you are used to driving a tight econo-box the whole week.

#&$% photobucket
They sure have ruined some otherwise excellent posts.

Fixed

That's much better!

Anyone installed one with a QA1 tubular k-member?
Thanks-

I am literally working on this right now. It will need some work to be done, because the mounting area that is on the normal K-member isn't on the QA1. I'll let you know how it develops.

Great. Please post pics when complete. I figured the same that it would take a bit of fab work but worth it.

The bearing support always struck me as a fix for cars that were all put together, for owners that didn't want to do any disassembly and welding ,to shore of the box mount. I'm sure adding a support to a gusseted k also provides a very nominal improvement, but reducing box deflection is the biggest gain either mod achieves, and both of this are fairly small.



Don't know that it would work on a tubular replacement K since the bearing support is designed to mount on the lip of the stock K. I'm sure things could be modified or a tab welded on to allow it.

It's more of an issue of the pitman arm hanging out in the air per-say, being in single shear mounted on only one side. It can deflect around a bit outside of rotation of the arm because of the pressures being exerted on it. With this kit, it puts it in double shear, and allows for a fluid movement with no deflection. Which makes steering much nicer and less floaty.

I don't disagree that double shear mounting is a better arrangement, but how much is the cast iron housing and hardened steel shaft of a steering box flexing compared to the thin stamped steel and spot welded structure of the F frame and box mount? Have you watched a steering box moving around while being cycled through the steering range? The flex of the box within the mounting system of the k frame is a much greater detriment to steering response than deflection of the steering box and pitman arm. You can reduce that flex via a double shear mounting on two planes by supporting the lower end of the box, or by reducing the flex inherent with the mount. Either way are very effective at improving steering response. One requires an afternoon of effort with a plasma cutter, grinder, and a welder, one requires an hour with a drill. Both achieve the same result.

Oh I agree, the mounting on a stock k-member is poor. I've seen the flex in the stock mount before. I've also seen the shaft pivoting in the power steering box. I believe that with the shaft in double shear that it will prevent a lot of wear on the box as well.

Weld up the entire k frame, box the steering mount and never look back.
This has been proven time and time again.
The bearing is a band aid fix with no relevant data.

I installed this after I saw how much movement I had with the boregson box - and that was with a welded up and gusseted frame!(and fast ratio arms)