Help a Gal with Power Steering Box

[cadyjl]

1968 Plymouth Road Runner. My husband and son were restoring my '68 Road Runner when my husband suddenly passed away, unfortunately before he could see the finished car. My son (in S CA) finished what he could, got the car running and brought it back to me in AZ. He has determined the power steering box needs replacing and is willing to do the work. ( The power steering pump was replaced with a new Borgeson ). I am trying to help him find the right part(s) as he works full time and hasn't had the opportunity to research what he needs. When I search sites like Classic Industries they list different power steering boxes with different ratios. Can anyone enlighten me about this? Such as do we need to remove the old box to determine what we need before ordering, best manufacturer to order from, etc. Any information/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bird 426]

You can have your steering box restored. Steer & Gear, I believe that they are located in OH. Pretty good people to deal with. Call them.

 

[Kern Dog]

I hate to preface this with THIS but if price is not an object, the Borgeson steering box is an excellent choice. This site has a sponsor known as Bergman Auto Craft that sells a kit that makes it all a bolt in deal. It is about $900+ including shipping, or it was a couple of years ago. Inflation has hit everything.
The Borgeson unit will feel much more like a modern car than any other option.
A far off, distant option is a quality rebuild from Firm Feel or Steer and Gear. Nothing that you buy at a parts store or Classic industries can compete with an original steering box that is properly rebuilt. Keep in mind that the slop that the factory steering boxes have at the center of the travel will still be there in any OEM steering box. You can adjust some of it out but it will always be there and increase as time and miles March on.
Good luck…
The wife and I considered a move to Kingman last year. We places an offer on a place on Bull Mountain but got overbid.

 

[cadyjl]

I hate to preface this with THIS but if price is not an object, the Borgeson steering box is an excellent choice. This site has a sponsor known as Bergman Auto Craft that sells a kit that makes it all a bolt in deal. It is about $900+ including shipping, or it was a couple of years ago. Inflation has hit everything.
The Borgeson unit will feel much more like a modern car than any other option.
A far off, distant option is a quality rebuild from Firm Feel or Steer and Gear. Nothing that you buy at a parts store or Classic industries can compete with an original steering box that is properly rebuilt. Keep in mind that the slop that the factory steering boxes have at the center of the travel will still be there in any OEM steering box. You can adjust some of it out but it will always be there and increase as time and miles March on.
Good luck…
The wife and I considered a move to Kingman last year. We places an offer on a place on Bull Mountain but got overbid.

Thank you so much for the information. I will definitely have him look into this. We have put quite a bit of money into the car so don't want to skimp on something like this. When we I start the car the steering wheel slowly begins to move on its own, kind of creepy! The kids and grandkids want me to take the car to the different Route 66 events here in Kingman but I am not comfortable with the current steering.
Love it here in Kingman (S CA transplants), in the foothills of the Hualapai Mts.

 

[dadsbee]

Wheel creep doesn't = a rebuild. You just need to adjust the control "block" on top of the box until it stops turning on it's own.

Need HELP with power steering

A body Power Steering "self turns"

 

[Don Frelier]

Wheel creep doesn't = a rebuild. You just need to adjust the control "block" on top of the box until it stops turning on it's own.

Need HELP with power steering

A body Power Steering "self turns"

Yes, but it's possible that a small piece of debris got in the centering valve during the pump replacement.
That valve is extremely sensitive to any debris.
A little adjustment might be all it needs but I would recommend flushing it first.

 

[Don selleck]

If you already bought the borgeson box, which it sounds like you have. Bergman Auto Craft are the makers of this and sponsors on this site. Peter Bergman can help, contact him. @BergmanAutoCraft

 

[snakeoil24]

Keep it simple flush system with fresh type f then replace if box doesn't center well go to cardone swap the box. Avoid replacing with borgensen box just to keep it simple and order from rock auto save lots of work

 

[jimbosride]

Thank you so much for the information. I will definitely have him look into this. We have put quite a bit of money into the car so don't want to skimp on something like this. When we I start the car the steering wheel slowly begins to move on its own, kind of creepy! The kids and grandkids want me to take the car to the different Route 66 events here in Kingman but I am not comfortable with the current steering.
Love it here in Kingman (S CA transplants), in the foothills of the Hualapai Mts.

I agree, the stock box has a lot slop....I found that out on my rebuilt 65.




I used to live in bullhead and always opened up my 69 RR thru golden valley to Kingman.

Also use to love to go to Oatman and watch burros and buy turquoise.

 

[NoCar2023]

1968 Plymouth Road Runner. My husband and son were restoring my '68 Road Runner when my husband suddenly passed away, unfortunately before he could see the finished car. My son (in S CA) finished what he could, got the car running and brought it back to me in AZ. He has determined the power steering box needs replacing and is willing to do the work. ( The power steering pump was replaced with a new Borgeson ). I am trying to help him find the right part(s) as he works full time and hasn't had the opportunity to research what he needs. When I search sites like Classic Industries they list different power steering boxes with different ratios. Can anyone enlighten me about this? Such as do we need to remove the old box to determine what we need before ordering, best manufacturer to order from, etc. Any information/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have the steering gear out of a low mileage 72 Charger you can have. I have no idea of its working condition but its a highly desirable unit for Gen2 B-Body swaps.
I am in SoCal. Have your son contact me.

 

[Mackman]

I have a Borgeson box and a Firm Feel box, and I would definitely recommend the Borgeson kit from Bergman.

 

[Kern Dog]

If I were offered a free rebuilt OEM box or pay for a Borgeson, the decision would depend on my wallet and my goals for the car.
For a car that I want excellent control and handling, Borgeson wins.
If the car is just a casual cruiser, I'd pick the original design and just live with the flaws that they have. If the front end is aligned properly, you can still have a nice driving car with the factory setup.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

( The power steering pump was replaced with a new Borgeson )

If you already bought the borgeson box, which it sounds like you have.

She bought the pump, not the box.

 

[Don selleck]

She bought the pump, not the box.

ahh, thanks. Read it wrong.

 

[cadyjl]

Wheel creep doesn't = a rebuild. You just need to adjust the control "block" on top of the box until it stops turning on it's own.

Need HELP with power steering

A body Power Steering "self turns"

Thank you ! going to pass this on to my son.

 

[cadyjl]

Yes, but it's possible that a small piece of debris got in the centering valve during the pump replacement.
That valve is extremely sensitive to any debris.
A little adjustment might be all it needs but I would recommend flushing it first.

Will give it a try, thank you !

 

[cadyjl]

I have the steering gear out of a low mileage 72 Charger you can have. I have no idea of its working condition but its a highly desirable unit for Gen2 B-Body swaps.
I am in SoCal. Have your son contact me.

Thank you so much ! He is in the high desert near Hesperia. Are you close ?

 

[Vinny]

1968 Plymouth Road Runner. My husband and son were restoring my '68 Road Runner when my husband suddenly passed away, unfortunately before he could see the finished car. My son (in S CA) finished what he could, got the car running and brought it back to me in AZ. He has determined the power steering box needs replacing and is willing to do the work. ( The power steering pump was replaced with a new Borgeson ). I am trying to help him find the right part(s) as he works full time and hasn't had the opportunity to research what he needs. When I search sites like Classic Industries they list different power steering boxes with different ratios. Can anyone enlighten me about this? Such as do we need to remove the old box to determine what we need before ordering, best manufacturer to order from, etc. Any information/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for your loss. May all the wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.

 

[Plumber452]

Not to highjack this thread but having a similar situation. The power steering pump went out on my 64 Fury. Replaced with a Borgeson. Worked great and bolted up with their Big Block bracket. The steering box, which was leaking some, began to pour. Bought a rebuilt from Autozone and while I've not installed it yet it's slightly smaller but the mounting bolt to the end of the input shat appears correct, output shaft O.K. The high pressure ports are the same but the return side on the new one is much smaller that the old one. I know I can swap the barbed connector out but any thoughts as to will the new rebuilt work properly?