Borgeson Update

[417guy]

What oil do you use?
Quite sure to say your oil gets too thin once hot, either change fluid (depends on what you use atm) and/or add a cooler.

I used “ power steering fluid” from O’Reillys. Their brand. Any brand you like ?

 

[Wietse]

I used “ power steering fluid” from O’Reillys. Their brand. Any brand you like ?

They recommend a GM style power steering fluid, check their site as it is mentioned somewhere.

 

[BeeFast]

I use Redline oil with a PS cooler. Oil stays cool. No noises either.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Interesting. Borgeson specifically recommends against Redline saying that it can foam. Maybe your cooler is helping.

I use Redline oil with a PS cooler. Oil stays cool. No noises either.

 

[70ChargerRT]

Interesting. Borgeson specifically recommends against Redline saying that it can foam. Maybe your cooler is helping.

I just got off of the phone with Borgeson Friday about my leak and they told me I can run any power steering fluid in it as long as it doesn’t have some kind of stop leak in it but In saying that I run this that O’reily sells.

 

[SDCoronet]

@EngineerDoug

Any updates? Did the installation of a cooler solve your issues?

 

[EngineerDoug]

The cooler did the trick. No issues with assist fading after use, and the fluid stays cooler. I used a Derale cooler P/N 13309. Inexpensive, compact, and it does the job. Comes with AN6 fittings installed.

BTW I have not noticed any strange noises (hissing, etc) coming from my Borgeson unit. Very happy with the conversion, and no leaks.

 

[SDCoronet]

The cooler did the trick. No issues with assist fading after use, and the fluid stays cooler. I used a Derale cooler P/N 13309. Inexpensive, compact, and it does the job. Comes with AN6 fittings installed.

BTW I have not noticed any strange noises (hissing, etc) coming from my Borgeson unit. Very happy with the conversion, and no leaks.

This is great to hear. I got a Derale 13224 installed but other parts of the front end are still not done. I think it will work out great.

 

[Dajkzo]

Hello all,

Just a month or so ago I installed a Borgeson power steering box in my '68 B-body. I retained the existing Saginaw power steering pump. The other day the weather allowed me to take it out on an extended cruise up and down a local mountain highway. The steering feel was more precise than the previous Firm Feel unit, BTW. Just before I got back home I noticed a reduction in power steering assist. Upon pulling into the garage I checked the temperature of the power steering pump, and it was nearly 200 degrees.

It dawned on me that some folks noted a loss of power assist if the fluid gets too hot. I also recalled that Borgeson recommends a power steering cooler. I had thought this might only be necessary if I did autocross or something of that nature. Clearly that was a wrong assumption. So I have a universal style cooler on order and will install it in the return line from the box to the pump; I would expect this to solve the problem.

Just an FYI for those who might think they don't need a cooler.

I used the full Borgeson kit with their pump. I burned my hand on the pump and thought I brushed against a header tube. If I recall, the infrared gun indicated close to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. I got this cooler from Summit and machined a small bracket, currently the pump body shows 175 degrees on a warm day and a long drive.

 

[ckessel]

My p/s cooler. L-R is trans, engine, p/s.

 

[cap67]

Hello all,

Just a month or so ago I installed a Borgeson power steering box in my '68 B-body. I retained the existing Saginaw power steering pump. The other day the weather allowed me to take it out on an extended cruise up and down a local mountain highway. The steering feel was more precise than the previous Firm Feel unit, BTW. Just before I got back home I noticed a reduction in power steering assist. Upon pulling into the garage I checked the temperature of the power steering pump, and it was nearly 200 degrees.

It dawned on me that some folks noted a loss of power assist if the fluid gets too hot. I also recalled that Borgeson recommends a power steering cooler. I had thought this might only be necessary if I did autocross or something of that nature. Clearly that was a wrong assumption. So I have a universal style cooler on order and will install it in the return line from the box to the pump; I would expect this to solve the problem.

Just an FYI for those who might think they don't need a cooler.

Hi did you install Peters mopar coupler? Because I just got mine kit from him. Unfortunately I will not know how good or bad it is until next summer. I did call Peter and asked him if it's OK if my steering shaft is off center? Said yes told me I could add 1" shim.

 

[Kern Dog]

Holy crap, that is a sharp angle. That sure doesn't look stock for any Mopar.
Here is mine, it is a 1970 Charger.

It has an angle too but not as sharp.

 

[70ChargerRT]

Holy crap, that is a sharp angle. That sure doesn't look stock for any Mopar.
Here is mine, it is a 1970 Charger.

View attachment 1758985

It has an angle too but not as sharp.

I know for a fact that the new box I just got in is mounted a tad sharper and closer to the firewall but mine aint that sharp and it also has a different type of brace than my old one has. My PS pump only has 1 shim in it and the first 500 miles it’s felt great and at idle setting still you could easily turn the steering wheel but now after I guess I broke it in I can no longer turn the wheel at idle. What a friggin pain in the ***. Now I’ll have to drain the dang oil and add more shims to get more pressure. Now I’m afraid when I add more shims this thing will start making all the miserable hissing sounds like my other one use to make. Right now this is one is pretty quiet but I’m afraid it will no longer be.

 

[cap67]

Thanks for replying to me. I really appreciate it. That's what I said to my self! I did send Peter the pictures. He told me to add 1" shim on left side box bolt. That I have not done yet. Maybe a u-joint coupler might work better? It sucks bc Now I own it for $1200. I was & am still excited for better steering.

 

[cap67]

Thanks for replying to me. I really appreciate it. That's what I said to my self! I did send Peter the pictures. He told me to add 1" shim on left side box bolt. That I have not done yet. Maybe a u-joint coupler might work better? It sucks bc Now I own it for $1200. I was & am still excited for better steering.

I know for a fact that the new box I just got in is mounted a tad sharper and closer to the firewall but mine aint that sharp and it also has a different type of brace than my old one has. My PS pump only has 1 shim in it and the first 500 miles it’s felt great and at idle setting still you could easily turn the steering wheel but now after I guess I broke it in I can no longer turn the wheel at idle. What a friggin pain in the ***. Now I’ll have to drain the dang oil and add more shims to get more pressure. Now I’m afraid when I add more shims this thing will start making all the miserable hissing sounds like my other one use to make. Right now this is one is pretty quiet but I’m afraid it will no longer be.

 

[cap67]

Maybe I should just put my rebuilt box back on?

 

[Kern Dog]

I know for a fact that the new box I just got in is mounted a tad sharper and closer to the firewall but mine aint that sharp and it also has a different type of brace than my old one has. My PS pump only has 1 shim in it and the first 500 miles it’s felt great and at idle setting still you could easily turn the steering wheel but now after I guess I broke it in I can no longer turn the wheel at idle. What a friggin pain in the ***. Now I’ll have to drain the dang oil and add more shims to get more pressure. Now I’m afraid when I add more shims this thing will start making all the miserable hissing sounds like my other one use to make. Right now this is one is pretty quiet but I’m afraid it will no longer be.

Adding shims lowers the pressure. Removing them increases it.

Maybe I should just put my rebuilt box back on?

If the steering functions fine, the angle shouldn't be an issue. You could put spacers behind the mounting points of the box to square it up. Many others have done that very thing.

 

[Don selleck]

Hi did you install Peters mopar coupler? Because I just got mine kit from him. Unfortunately I will not know how good or bad it is until next summer. I did call Peter and asked him if it's OK if my steering shaft is off center? Said yes told me I could add 1" shim.

View attachment 1758966

View attachment 1758968

I put one on my 68 charger no problem was off slightly. Installed one on my 70 Cuda looked similar to yours, was interfering with the cap on the coupler. Car is tore apart now but will be shimming it to get a little closer.

 

[70ChargerRT]

Adding shims lowers the pressure. Removing them increases it.



If the steering functions fine, the angle shouldn't be an issue. You could put spacers behind the mounting points of the box to square it up. Many others have done that very thing.

You’re correct, I got it backwards. I just pulled mine out and it has 3 shims in it. My other one had 1 in it.

 

[Mackman]

I installed a cooler when I first did the install, and it has worked flawlessly. But, after about 3,000 miles, it has started to hiss.