Steering Upgrades Completed

[HeavyFuel]

Well, last night I completed the last of the 'planned' upgrades of the steering/handling for my '68, by installing the offset UCA bushings.  

This is a list of the original components that have been replaced/rebuilt:
PS box rebuild by Firm Feel, their Stage II version.
PS pump/reservoir rebuild by Firm Feel.
All suspension bushings.
Shocks.

Non-stock items added or changed:
Moog rubber offset UCA bushings.
C Body tie-rods/ends replaced the stock size.
Subframe connectors (fit- to-floor type – US Cartools)
Torque boxes, front and rear (Auto Rust Tech)
Poly anti-sway bar brushings.
Boxed LCA.

Last night:
1. Installed the UCA offset bushings to gain the positive caster benefit.    http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,60100.msg671247.html#msg671247
2. Lowered the front tires onto home-made pivot pads (thin plexiglass w/lube sandwiched.  Ended up with five stacked pads on left, due to floor slope).
3. Set ride height, ended up at around 2" (FSM suggests 1 7/8).
4. Set the camber using a level.  I shot for neutral on the right, a little positive on the left (per FSM).  Torqued the cam bolts after final camber adjust, at ride height.
5. Checked the toe-in using the string method.  Steering wheel straight, adjusted the tie rods so the tires toed-in just a smidge.
6. No way to check the caster in the garage, not with my brain, anyway.  Just hoping for the best.

Test drive:
It was getting a little dim outside, but I couldn't wait to give it a test.  Mentally checked off everything messed with, making sure I torqued everything that needed it.  Good to go.  

Backed out of the garage....car tracked well, steering wheel didn't budge.  That's good sign, I supposed.
Took it around the block to be safe before heading out around town and the steering felt good.  Really tight, responsive.   More effort needed than before to steer the car, but I had felt that last week when the new gear was put in.  I was interested to see what, if anything, could be felt by putting in the offset bushings.

Once out on a main road, the steering felt great.  The car tracked absolutely straight.  I could take my hands off the wheel and the car would continue straight ahead.  Immediate response when zig-zagging.  The wheel would self-center, something it never did in the past.  Not like a modern car, but a little is better than nothing.

On a bit faster road (50 mph), really nice.  I could actually relax a little behind the wheel, not having to worry about the car wandering all over the road.
Checked the camber again when I got back to the garage, and it has a little bit too much negative on the right and positive on the left, but by checking it with a bubble level, it's hard to tell how much.  I'll work on that again in a few weeks.  

So, I think that my handling steering upgrades can be considered a success.....although without a stock configured car to compare the 'seat of the pants' feel, it's hard to quantify the amount of improvement.  I suspect the safety of the car is dramatically improved, which is always good.  

[RallyeMike]

Feels nice not to have it wander all over the place, huh?! 

If you put a dial indicator on the steering box and turn the steering side to side you'll actually see that the box is moving as things flex. For the last smidgeon of improvement, add a gusset the steering box mount on the K-frame ( I didnt see it on the list, so thought I'd mention it).

[hemi68charger]

 

[HeavyFuel]

Feels nice not to have it wander all over the place, huh?! 

If you put a dial indicator on the steering box and turn the steering side to side you'll actually see that the box is moving as things flex. For the last smidgeon of improvement, add a gusset the steering box mount on the K-frame ( I didnt see it on the list, so thought I'd mention it).

Saw those outlined a couple times in MA.....still might do it. 

99% of my driving is not exactly what you would call 'spirited', so not sure if that is money well spent.


Question:  Does a gear that gives less assist cause more stress on the K-frame?   

[six-tee-nine]

No. the amount of stress on the k frame comes from the power needed to turn the wheels.
In fact I guess that the more the steering is powered the more stress the steering box Will put on the k frame. With power steering you just turn the wheel and hydraulic power does the rest even when the richt wheel sits against the sidewalk edge

[b5blue]

Glad to see that you used the same offset bushings I still have yet to install.  (Boy did I get side tracked!)

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

Those are some awesome upgrades.  Another one I recommend if you want, I put it on a few friends cars over the years.  We noticed a difference.

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_sector_support_kit.html

Ryan

[Cooter]

Agreed. You wouldn't believe how much flex is in the K frame.
Good to know you got it better.

[HeavyFuel]

Thanks, guys.

Took it out for another spin tonight....just got back.    

The old lady drove first....was a little nervous about that, but she did fine.  We grabbed some grub and had a beer at a local joint that has abundant parking.     Dropped her off afterward and went out again, solo.

Drives nice on the highway, took it up to about 80 or so.   Tracks better in the right lane than the left, where it wants to drift just a little to the left.  Like mentioned earlier, the left positive and right negative caster are just a bit too much.  I think that drift will go away by adjusting that.


Gonna be a fun summer!

[b5blue]

After rebuilding my control arms, new lower ball joints/ idler arm and replacing T.Bars/rear springs the worst money spent was at a shop that did not know squat about B Body alinement! The best was finding a Goodyear store that did, find guys who understand and get that bad boy on the money!
I had Goodyear set me up with no offset for road slope like many shops do automatically. 

[Ghoste]

Might have to do some of that myself. 

[bill440rt]

Cool! Sounds like some significant improvements!

Those are some awesome upgrades.  Another one I recommend if you want, I put it on a few friends cars over the years.  We noticed a difference.

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_sector_support_kit.html

Ryan

I've read about these as well.
Has anyone else installed this, and/or how significant is the improvement?