Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
#1566945
01/22/14 11:46 AM
01/22/14 11:46 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526
North Carolina
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Guys, I know there have been numerous posts about this topic before but I am having trouble locating them and I wanted input based on my setup. My car is a 1973 Charger with pretty much stock (restored) suspension and steering. Only 'upgrades' have been thicker stabilizer bar and polygraphite bushings all around. I replaced the power steering box a few years back with an expensive rebuilt one and it still pretty much sucks. The steering is loose and you can still wiggle the steering shaft 5-10* before it has resistance from the box. This is the box itself as you can do this directly from the input shaft. The steering coupler has been totally rebuilt and there is no slop in the shaft/coupler/ragjoint itself. I have seen the posts about the Firm Feel upgrade you can do which looks appealing. I have also seen the Borgeson setup but it appears it would require cutting the steering shaft which I am not keen on. My car would be classified as a 'restomod' but I want it heavier on the 'resto' and less on the 'mod'. Therefore, I am leaning towards going the Firm Feel route. I see they make three stages I-III. My car is a street car first and foremost. I would be happy to get rid of the slop and maybe make the steering more like a modern car. hell, I'd be pumped if it had steering like my 4banger Honduh Accord daily driver! I am guessing maybe stage II would be what I want here? I am guessing stage III would be one step from manual steering which I don't want. Can anybody here recommend which route I should take here? Stage II or III? Anybody else to consider? Also, what is the turnaround time to have one sent out? I may just swallow the core charge and buy one outright as I don't want to disable my car for very long to pull the existing one and ship it off. Any 1st hand experiences you can share? Thanks as always!
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: a12rag]
#1566949
01/22/14 03:14 PM
01/22/14 03:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
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Quote:
I went with the Firm Feel box - III in my stock 70 Sport Satellite. It feels great, much more like a rack and pinion style steering - tight and responsive.
You could always find a "core" at your local wrecking yard, and send that in . . .
Good Luck . . . Dick and company @ Firm Feel are always there to answer any questions you would have. Perhaps give them a call . . .
Cheers
Mark
How is the stage III in parking lots? I don't mind some effort but I don't want to feel like I have manual steering either. How does it compare to a modern sedan (not performance) as far as firmness?
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: burdar]
#1566952
01/22/14 03:27 PM
01/22/14 03:27 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
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Quote:
I assume you've tried tightening up the adjuster on the top of the box?
I did try that but they must have welded that adjuster nut on. I had breaker bar on the nut that holds the adjuster and I could not loosen it for fear of rounding off the nut or breaking something.
I have also heard the that is a band aid that will cause the box to wear faster...not that I care for the mileage this car gets but still that nut is stuck tight. If I am going through the trouble to pull the box to have to do this on a bench, I will probably get the FirmFeel (or other) box to be done with this.
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: cjskotni]
#1566954
01/22/14 08:20 PM
01/22/14 08:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 311 Mass. USA#1
hemi70
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
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Mass. USA#1
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I put a Firm Feel stage III box in my '70 B-body about 5 years ago and I LOVE IT!!!! As said before it has the response and feel of a rack and pinion set up but it is NEVER hard to turn. Gary.
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: hemi70]
#1566955
01/22/14 09:45 PM
01/22/14 09:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482 Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
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Lake Orion, MI
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Borgenson...More expensive, but much better. Better ratio, better feel, smaller and lighter box.. It's just awesome. Call Bergman Auto Craft
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: goldduster318]
#1566959
01/23/14 11:30 AM
01/23/14 11:30 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
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Quote:
Borgenson...More expensive, but much better. Better ratio, better feel, smaller and lighter box..
I do like the idea of having a dimensionally smaller box as I had to dent my headers to clear the factory box. I am sure that is a nice upgrade!
I am not sure I want to spend quite that much on the steering and lose some of that old-school factory look. The quick ratio might be more fun but I would just be happy with getting the slop out and maybe firming up the steering some.
I think I am leaning towards a Firm Feel for my situation. I just want to know whether I should go stage II or III. Can anybody here compare these stages to a modern day car? I'm not looking for a race car, just to feel more 'modern' and responsive than the floating yacht feeling I have now....
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: syleng1]
#1566960
01/23/14 11:35 AM
01/23/14 11:35 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526 North Carolina
cjskotni
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Quote:
How the heck do you send a steering gear? UPS or private carrier; and how do you box it? Like a plywood box you build or just a heavy duty cardboard box? I am in CT and they are in WA. That's a lot of distance.
I have shipped plenty of car parts. I would use a very sturdy cardboard box and maybe line the inside with additional cardboard to stiffen it up some. The other key here is to use the foam or some type of packing material that WON'T allow the gear to bounce around inside the box at all. If the gear bounces around inside the box, it will start to destroy the box. Other than that, it's not like it's a fragile part.
For something that heavy, I would use UPS ground over USPS as they get more pricey for larger, heavier items.
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: cjskotni]
#1566961
01/23/14 12:41 PM
01/23/14 12:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,157 Mass
DAYCLONA
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,157
Mass
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Quote:
Quote:
How the heck do you send a steering gear? UPS or private carrier; and how do you box it? Like a plywood box you build or just a heavy duty cardboard box? I am in CT and they are in WA. That's a lot of distance.
I have shipped plenty of car parts. I would use a very sturdy cardboard box and maybe line the inside with additional cardboard to stiffen it up some. The other key here is to use the foam or some type of packing material that WON'T allow the gear to bounce around inside the box at all. If the gear bounces around inside the box, it will start to destroy the box. Other than that, it's not like it's a fragile part.
For something that heavy, I would use UPS ground over USPS as they get more pricey for larger, heavier items.
Go to Home Depot, Lowes, etc, etc, buy a 5 gal bucket and and a snap on lid to ship it in, add some packing, problem solved, even has a handle, and if it leaks, no problem, it's contained, your carrier will appreciate it
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Re: Power Steering Box Upgrade Options -- Firm Feel ?
[Re: 62maxwgn]
#1566964
01/23/14 02:41 PM
01/23/14 02:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,918 Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag
master
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master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,918
Calgary, Alberta Canada
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II versus III for ease of steering ??? Not too sure, as I have only gone with the stage III unit. However, it is not too bad when parking or slow, still some assist, but not the factory one finger . . . honestly, it is good and on the road, wayyy better than factory unit.
Probably best to talk to Firm Feel, as they can advise better for each person's taste . . .
In my case, 70 B body with small block, a/c, and it looks factory, works great . . .
Good luck
Cheers
Mark
- shipping ?? I would agree about the bucket from HD or Lowes. However, FF ships the unit wrapped in a plastic bag, and then inside cardboard box . . .
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