Steering

[keith88]

Hi all, the next issue I'm going to address with my 69 is steering over the up coming winter, it dose feel sloppy and a lot of them do. I did check out the front end parts dont see any real problems there nothing loose or in need of replacement that i can see ,i also had a local front end shop check it out when they did an alignment on it he said it looked good to. When i bought the car a few years ago the guy told me he put a new box in it but i believe he put in a used box from another car and it was new to that car only. I have adjusted the play in the box to the point that im at the end of the adjustment feels better but not what i want.
I thinking about a firm feel box not quite sure what there specs are and cant find a lot of info on them out side of people who say they have them and like them. I'm looking for info like what the difference in stages ,is the turn ratio different in them and that kind of info?  Can any one give me some info or pointers? thanks

[303 Mopar]

Ratio in a FF box does not change.  The Stages are the tightness in steering with Stage 3 being the tightest.  I have heard many that go with a Stage 2 wish they had gone with a Stage 3 and only 1 person I have talked to that said the Stage 3 was too tight.

Your options to quicken the ratio is go with a quick ratio pitman arm, but they may not fit depending on your engine and headers.  Another option is a Borgeson box that is both of best worlds, tight steering feel and quick ratio all in one.  The only issue is the cost is more than double a FF box.

[keith88]

Do we know what engines and header ..or what dimensions are needed for the pitman arm thing to work?  As far as the box goes im torn between a stage 2 and 3 still.

[303 Mopar]

Do we know what engines and header ..or what dimensions are needed for the pitman arm thing to work?  As far as the box goes im torn between a stage 2 and 3 still.

Small block with TTI's work, I do not believe any BB headers work with out some dents but I could be wrong.  IMO you should go stage 3 and the fast ratio arm is just a "nice to have".  If you have the money, go Borgeson otherwise FF is a great choice.

[Mopar Nut]

There's a Borgeson box that has a 14.1 steering ratio.

http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php?cat=143

[chargd72]

Do we know what engines and header ..or what dimensions are needed for the pitman arm thing to work?  As far as the box goes im torn between a stage 2 and 3 still.

Small block with TTI's work, I do not believe any BB headers work with out some dents but I could be wrong.  IMO you should go stage 3 and the fast ratio arm is just a "nice to have".  If you have the money, go Borgeson otherwise FF is a great choice.

I have a SB with TTI's and a rebuilt stage 3 box from steer and gear.  The headers will NOT fit with a fast ratio pitman and idler arm.

[funknut]

I have the firm feel stage 3 with the stock pitman arm and really love it.  I'm glad I didn't go with stage 2.  Its not hard to turn at all.

If you haven't checked the steering coupler, that is another component that can introduce slop into the steering.

[keith88]

I believe the coupler is good ..but how dose one check it?

[funknut]

With the front wheels on the ground and the car off (no power steering), how much are you able to turn the steering wheel before the wheels resist? 

Have someone turn the wheel while you're watching the coupler and see if it's tight or has slop in it.

If it's sloppy, there are non-stock options too.  Some on this forum have gone with a u-joint style unit like this as an alternative:

https://www.amazon.com/Flaming-River-FR1506P-Power-Coupler/dp/B005AU800W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467058313&sr=8-1&keywords=flaming+river+FR1506P

[keith88]

That is very costly but i do like that idea.But a new coupler would be much cheaper.

[keith88]

Any one have any thoughts on a steer and gear box ? I  have seen talk on both  good and bad.

[303 Mopar]

Any one have any thoughts on a steer and gear box ? I  have seen talk on both  good and bad.

I bought a S&G box from a member that supposedly had the "tightest" set up, but it is no where near what I would expect.  In fact, I could probably adjust a stock box for better feel.  Again, I did not buy this directly from S&G just took the word from a member. If I had to do it over again, I would not hesitate on a FF Stage 3.  Live and learn.

[keith88]

Think i might go with a S&G box for a couple reasons, I saw some bad press  for both manufacturers but i also found out that a company no longer in business was bad mouthing them and after i talked to the guys i feel like that is pretty well cleared up at least for me. They are a lot closer to me there for shipping is A LOT cheaper. And from what i read there are a lot of people who do like there product ,get the feeling people prefer firm feel but people are  happy with there S&G boxes to.Its also over all cheaper and the guy sounded like he was very workable with my needs. I believe I'm going with the "extra firm" version when i do this over the winter.  

http://www.steerandgear.com/#!catalogs-ordering/c66t

[BLK 68 R/T]

Go with the FF stage 3 

[keith88]

The S&G box I'm ordering should have or be real close to the firm feel 3,But it wont have the $100 shipping from the west coast( to& from -$50 each way)Its $30 each way the core charge is less and the box is less, should save me over $100 easy maybe a little more.

[will]

if you're going to Carlisle, you can pick it up there from them and save the shipping.

[keith88]

Well i found some of the problem today when my son came by i had him turn the wheel while i looked under the hood and the whole box would move come to find out it had come loose so i tighten up 2 really loose ones and one kind of loose and went for a ride it felt much better. But still getting a new box next spring but at least i can put most of my worries to bed on the steering!