Alignment specialist confirms: Bad power steering box

[340fourspeedDuster]

OK here we go. The '75 Duster with a 1.25" sector shaft is bad. While driving the car, the steering loved to either turn left or right and not return to center.
This was a rebuilt steering box that replaced the previous power steering box. I have been reading several posts concerning this issue. Now I am investigating the purchase of a Borgeson 14:1 power steering box #800127 and the needed #036425 Mopar vibration reducing universal joint coupling. I also will most likely need the new hoses due to the different mounting on the new Borgeson box. I would like to hear comments pro and con on folks that have purchased and installed this unit. The Borgeson is a 14:1 compared to the factory 16:1. Also, a claimed weight savings of 10 lbs.

 

[66fyssh]

Best guy to help with that is @BergmanAutoCraft. I believe he sells them also.

 

[512Stroker]

OK here we go. The '75 Duster with a 1.25" sector shaft is bad. While driving the car, the steering loved to either turn left or right and not return to center.
This was a rebuilt steering box that replaced the previous power steering box. I have been reading several posts concerning this issue. Now I am investigating the purchase of a Borgeson 14:1 power steering box #800127 and the needed #036425 Mopar vibration reducing universal joint coupling. I also will most likely need the new hoses due to the different mounting on the new Borgeson box. I would like to hear comments pro and con on folks that have purchased and installed this unit. The Borgeson is a 14:1 compared to the factory 16:1. Also, a claimed weight savings of 10 lbs.

Why not just have your old box rebuilt, May be alot less Money$ and it will fit.
I believe Ohio Gear still does them. I had them do a box years back and it worked perfect.

 

[66fyssh]

Why not just have your old box rebuilt, May be alot less Money$ and it will fit.
I believe Ohio Gear still does them. I had them do a box years back and it worked perfect.

Great idea!
Is that "Steer and Gear" now?

I had them rebuild my 66 Barracuda box. I went with the "Sport" feel and LOVE it. I also rebuilt the factory coupler and BAM, good to go!

 

[512Stroker]

Great idea!
Is that "Steer and Gear" now?

I had them rebuild my 66 Barracuda box. I went with the "Sport" feel and LOVE it. I also rebuilt the factory coupler and BAM, good to go!

Yes that is them
Im old a have CRS.
Happy Motoring

 

[dano]

Firm Feel in Washington will rebuild them too. I have the Stage III and its super great.

 

[Bodyperson]

While driving the car, the steering loved to either turn left or right and not return to center.

This condition could be something other than the steering box OR a box that has the preload adjusted too tightly. I've seen the latter a lot.

 

[Professor Fate]

OK here we go. The '75 Duster with a 1.25" sector shaft is bad. While driving the car, the steering loved to either turn left or right and not return to center.
This was a rebuilt steering box that replaced the previous power steering box. I have been reading several posts concerning this issue. Now I am investigating the purchase of a Borgeson 14:1 power steering box #800127 and the needed #036425 Mopar vibration reducing universal joint coupling. I also will most likely need the new hoses due to the different mounting on the new Borgeson box. I would like to hear comments pro and con on folks that have purchased and installed this unit. The Borgeson is a 14:1 compared to the factory 16:1. Also, a claimed weight savings of 10 lbs.

Bad box? Don't think so. You already have a rebuilt box, you just need to adjust the centering valve on top of the box (where the hoses attach). There's two (half inch?) bolts that hold it on to the top of the steering box. With the front wheels off the ground, start the engine. Start it sitting in the seat, as reaching through the steering wheel can be painful- the wheel will most likely jerk to the right or left and take your arm with it. Once started, loosen the two bolts- not much, or you will have fluid everywhere; just barely crack them loose. Then tap the whole valve assembly either forward or backward until the steering doesn't pull either way and wants to center. Then tighten the bolts back down. Take it for a test drive, readjust if necessary. Then go back to the shop and request a different alignment tech.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Really cant hold it against the alignment tech. They only know what they are taught. Unless they went to the mopar school of hard knocks,how else would they know how to set up a steering box? Parts changers. I didnt know it could be adjusted, but at least i gained some knowledge.

lots of guys dial in their front ends home style, just have to find the right thread and give it your best shot.

 

[340fourspeedDuster]

I called the tech line of Firm Feel describing the issue with my steering box on the Duster. The tech said that this is a common condition and can be easily corrected. Remove the top centering valve (two bolts and the hose connections). Disassemble and clean the internal components. If there is any debris in the bore, the piston will not move freely which caused my issue. Turn right, and it wants to keep turning right, turn left and it wants to keep turning left. Lazy to no return to center (straight) when driving. I first marked the placement of the centering valve with a silver Sharpie to aid in getting the reassembly position correct. I then removed the centering valve, disassembled the valve removing the piston and shot the bore with Berryman B12 chemtool spray. The bore of my centering valve had some junk that looked like liquid rust and a few pieces of possibly rubber-like chunks. I ran a brass cleaning brush in and out of the bore. I used a piece of crocus cloth wrapped around my little finger in the bore to remove any burs or other FOD (for you aerospace folks). Reassembled the centering valve, cleaned up the mounting area on top of the power steering box. Crossed my fingers. Said a prayer to the steering gods. Fired up the 340 and YES!! Wheel stayed straight. Took the car for a test drive and we are a happy camper now.
I hope this can help someone else who is having this or similar issue with their steering box. Big thanks to the techs at Firm Feel INC.