Gear box

I tried Firm Feel probably 8 years ago now, and after three tries at replacing my steering box, I gave up with them. The boxes they sent either leaked, had a poor on center feel due to excessive slop and the last one had a weird feel like it was binding at times in a turn. I gave up and went to Steer & Gear, and they got it right the first time - excellent. Maybe Firm Feel has improved over the years, but I am not going back.
 
I'm curious to what makes you feel that you need to replace the steering box?
 
Big_John said:
I'm curious to what makes you feel that you need to replace the steering box?
Click to expand...
. Steering has become very loose, wanders. Hardly any "road" feeling in it. Intermediate shaft has play in it (u joints). Vertical rod (forgot name) in box itself has up/down movement. Starting to make me feel very uncomfortable at higher speeds.
 
Mopar muscle put a bunch of firm feel parts on a formie a while back, with great results. They recommended not going any higher then a stage one box, being in such a heavy car.

There was also a guy on the dry dock a couple years ago who rebuilt his suspension in his vert. He said if you get the rest of the suspension in good shape, he really didnt notice much difference between a firm feel box, and a reman parts store one....
 
I guess I'm just looking for stock feel I suppose. I don't see myself competing in any road ralleye races in my car,lol. As long as it goes where I point it, immediately, then I'm happy. Right now it kinda feels like the steering wheel is connected by a rubber band.
 
You'll be amazed at how modifying the PS pump can improve the feel. Stock pumps are way over boosted. It was the "preferred" feel back then.

2emo0pg.jpg
 
70NPORT said:
. Steering has become very loose, wanders. Hardly any "road" feeling in it. Intermediate shaft has play in it (u joints). Vertical rod (forgot name) in box itself has up/down movement. Starting to make me feel very uncomfortable at higher speeds.
Click to expand...

If it were me, I would fix the suspension and while it's apart, I would adjust the cross shaft per the FSM. I'd have the alignment done by someone I trust and ask them to dial in as much caster as he can.

Then I would look at the boost adjustment in the pump if you want more feel.

IMHO, all the collective forum lemming need to change the steering box is "snake oil" type hype. That's not to say that yours isn't worn or in need of replacement, it's just that from what I see, a lot of steering boxes get replaced instead of adjusted. I'd try that first.
 
commando1 said:
You'll be amazed at how modifying the PS pump can improve the feel. Stock pumps are way over boosted. It was the "preferred" feel back then.

2emo0pg.jpg
Click to expand...
I replaced the pwr steering unit/hose with a new federal unit few months ago myself. I was going to do the saginaw switch but then I got the quote from Bouchillon for all the parts. The spread was too ridiculous to justify when compared to sticking with the federal setup. So I'm glad I didn't do it JUST because someone else did (which is also ridiculous). And it didn't seem that much of a pain in the *** once I got all the tools together, as what I was reading. Guess you really can't believe everything you read. No complaints here.
 
Big_John said:
If it were me, I would fix the suspension and while it's apart, I would adjust the cross shaft per the FSM. I'd have the alignment done by someone I trust and ask them to dial in as much caster as he can.

Then I would look at the boost adjustment in the pump if you want more feel.

IMHO, all the collective forum lemming need to change the steering box is "snake oil" type hype. That's not to say that yours isn't worn or in need of replacement, it's just that from what I see, a lot of steering boxes get replaced instead of adjusted. I'd try that first.
Click to expand...
I had eyes and hands on the steering system yesterday. I can VISUALLY see what the problem(s) are. Take my word for it...the gear box is toast and therefore coming out. I also noticed some dry rot/squashed rubber here and there....the transmission mount for one. I also dropped one of the bolts that secure either side of it, gonna have to source that I guess. Other than that the rest is not in too bad shape considering. And of course after all is said and done an alignment is in order.
 
I had my '59 Imperial steering box rebuilt by Steer and Gear. You can choose the level of responsiveness. My cars gear box was needed to rebuild and they did not have one in stock for close to $400 if I remember correctly. That was two years ago, since then my friend also sent in his '61 Imperial gear box. We are both happy customers.
 
commando1 said:
The intent of the reply was not to infer doing the Saginaw conversion. It was just the first pic I grabbed off the net.
What I meant was there there's info out there on how to modify your existing pump.
Click to expand...
Got it. Well its in for about 3-4 months --no complaints.
 
commando1 said:
You'll be amazed at how modifying the PS pump can improve the feel. Stock pumps are way over boosted. It was the "preferred" feel back then.
Click to expand...

Yes in deed. You can use the pump from a truck and it'll give you that feel that you are looking for.

As someone else already mentioned....make sure the rest of your suspension is tight and not worn out. If yours is still all original parts I would replace them and it'll be one hell of a difference (improvement) along with an alignment. Check your ball joints and wheel bearing adjustment while you are it.
 
1978 NYB said:
Yes in deed. You can use the pump from a truck and it'll give you that feel that you are looking for.

As someone else already mentioned....make sure the rest of your suspension is tight and not worn out. If yours is still all original parts I would replace them and it'll be one hell of a difference (improvement) along with an alignment. Check your ball joints and wheel bearing adjustment while you are it.
Click to expand...
Ball joints/Wheel bearings are fine. But I need strut rod bushings and a new transmission mount bushing.
 
1978 NYB said:
Yes in deed. You can use the pump from a truck and it'll give you that feel that you are looking for..
Click to expand...
I'm assuming you're talking about getting one from a junk yard.
All the rebuilts from the parts store are most likely built to a generic universal one-size-fits-all spec.
 
commando1 said:
I'm assuming you're talking about getting one from a junk yard.
All the rebuilts from the parts store are most likely built to a generic universal one-size-fits-all spec.
Click to expand...

Yep......Once Cardone gets a core it's a one size fits all.
 
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