Swapping a Borgeson steering box in a 1970 Charger

[Kern Dog]

I had enough chassis grease in there, the boot just slipped right over with a little stretching. It was May 2022 when I did the swap. That is around the start of our warm weather so if you're dealing with colder weather, I'd assume the stuff isn't as soft and stretchy. I think you're nearing the warmest time of the year though, right?

 

[KiwiKid72]

This thread is gold. Here is the old and new in the Satellite. Still needs alignment but drives so much better.

 

[Belvedere408]

Great write up KD, I’m almost a member of the borgeson club.

 

[scipione2007]

The Idler arms that I have here vary a LOT in design.

View attachment 1289166

View attachment 1289167

They all have the same offset but I think that I like #4 best based on the robust shape, the nylon bushings and the Zerk fitting to grease it.

View attachment 1289168

I'll trial fit the #4 Idler and if it lines up right, it will remain.

The stock Mopar chuck is approximately 15.7 to 1. With the Fast Ratio arms, the ratio is supposed to be close to 12 to 1.
When I first installed this Firm Feel Stage 3 chuck in 2002 or 2003, I was quite happy with it. I added the Fast Ratio arms in 2006. I've put maybe 15,000 miles this unit and had to adjust the clearance a few times to tighten up the on center slop. It got to the point where I just couldn't stand that sloppy free play from 11:00 to 1:00. I probably wouldn't notice any slop in a well rebuilt stock unit with stock steering arms. The higher effort built into the Stage 3 makes the slop more noticeable. The Fast Ratio arms only adds to the effort so of course, it makes the slop feel even worse than with stock arms.
The Borgeson has a 14 to 1 ratio. I've read from some that have used the Fast Ratio arms with this box but to me, a ratio of approximately 10 to 1 is too tight. I've read that most new cars are approximately 14 to 1 since that has been found to be the best compromise of handling and comfort. Because of this, I'm returning to the stock arms for this swap.

Where did you buy the #4 arm? my iddler arm grease fitting (90 degree) hits my torsion bar. 68 charger 383 engine

 

[BergmanAutoCraft]

Where did you buy the #4 arm? my iddler arm grease fitting (90 degree) hits my torsion bar. 68 charger 383 engine

Our roller bearing idler may help you. I have older USA castings as cores. With my design, I can move the idler up and down slightly. Bergman Auto Craft.

 

[Kern Dog]

Where did you buy the #4 arm? my idler arm grease fitting (90 degree) hits my torsion bar. 68 charger 383 engine

I don't know.
I have picked up parts from friends and others that have cleared out their garages, shops and sheds. I should mark these parts when I get them just to kn0w exactly what they are.

 

[JG71B]

I hadn't considered that the Borgeson would need a longer clamp, but of course it would.

Feel like making more than one clamp?

I'm dealing with this now. Ordered the clamp from Detroit Muscle Monday, found out last night my Bergman coupler is too long. Made a "prototype" for myself from a coat hanger now just need to find a heavier guage wire/metal to make a permanent one. Love the steering upgrade though thus far.

 

[BergmanAutoCraft]

We have the problem solver boot...

 

[JG71B]

We have the problem solver boot...

I saw that but, it's a bit pricey for a small piece of rubber at $17 more than the clamp and seal kit was....and I have to take it apart again to install. But, I've well over paid for plenty of stuff on this turd so, I may end up ordering one if I can't fab one up to work

 

[bradfly]

I have had none of the HISS sounds that I've heard some people mention.
Seriously, there have been ZERO complaints with this unit. Peter Bergman puts together a nice kit.
There are times when I like to fabricate stuff or go my own way. I've made brackets, modified sway bars, made frame connectors and torque boxes too. When a company like BAC sells a quality product at a fair price, I feel good spending my money with them.

Hi,
I have a lot of hissing from fluid, mostly when just sitting idle. What do you attribute to yours having no sounds?
I just had the Borgenson full kit installed and enjoy the feel but not the noise. Also the shaft coupler is a little off center if that is contributory.

 

[Kern Dog]

Maybe my engine runs a bit louder and it masks the hiss sound?
I'm not sure. I've done only 2 of these installations, these two cars below:

The blue car has a hydraulic cam and runs quieter than mine does with the solid lifters and bigger headers. Neither car had any hissing. Both have Saginaw pumps.

 

[Don selleck]

no hiss on either of mine, maybe air in lines still? My box on my Cuda does point to the drivers side a bit too much which miss aligns the coupler slightly, going to cut some shims, and direct it back straight.

 

[Kern Dog]

I didn't have an issue with alignment of the steering box either. Even so, I don't quite understand that issue either.
Say that the mounting pad of the steering box, when viewed from overhead...is a few degrees off 90 from the frame rails. It seems to me that there is enough range in the coupler to allow for that and enough range in the tie rod sleeves to still allow enough turning range for left and right.
I know that the 1971-72 B body cars used a similar looking yet slightly different K member with that steering box mount at the different angle. They also had a corresponding angled center link.
Why? I don't see why the angle of the steering box necessitates an angled center link.

 

[Don selleck]

my 68 charger lined up straight as an arrow. I used the original looking no cut coupler on my Cuda. Instead of the splined shaft coming out of the steering box pointing straight towards the steering column coming from the firewall, the box points slightly towards the drivers fender, possibly some grinding on the k member and the box may help it, have to have to have a closer look once I get to that stage again. Have car tore apart for other reasons again.

 

[Kern Dog]

Here is an overhead shot:

You can see the clockwise angle to the steering box and to a degree, the center link has some angle to it too. It looks as if the idler arm is longer than the Pitman, pushing the center link rearward slightly more on that side. I can attest that the car aligns fine and tracks as straight as anything I've driven. There have been no tire wear issues I've noticed.
This K member may be from a Barracuda or 71-72 B body. I've picked up lots of parts over the years. I modified this one 10+ years ago with gussets and seam welding. Back then, I didn't know about the steering box angle being different so I just swapped it in.

 

[BergmanAutoCraft]

no hiss on either of mine, maybe air in lines still? My box on my Cuda does point to the drivers side a bit too much which miss aligns the coupler slightly, going to cut some shims, and direct it back straight.

The box is designed this way. Since the shafts internally make the box narrower, you will not get it to align exactly straight. The curved shoes inside the coupler were designed to articulate so no need to change anything.

 

[BergmanAutoCraft]

Here is an overhead shot:

View attachment 1744454

You can see the clockwise angle to the steering box and to a degree, the center link has some angle to it too. It looks as if the idler arm is longer than the Pitman, pushing the center link rearward slightly more on that side. I can attest that the car aligns fine and tracks as straight as anything I've driven. There have been no tire wear issues I've noticed.
This K member may be from a Barracuda or 71-72 B body. I've picked up lots of parts over the years. I modified this one 10+ years ago with gussets and seam welding. Back then, I didn't know about the steering box angle being different so I just swapped it in.

The factory box put the centerlink exactly like this as well.

 

[BergmanAutoCraft]

Hi,
I have a lot of hissing from fluid, mostly when just sitting idle. What do you attribute to yours having no sounds?
I just had the Borgenson full kit installed and enjoy the feel but not the noise. Also the shaft coupler is a little off center if that is contributory.

Best to contact the source directly. 516-384-6438

 

[Jonas Nordstrom]

Best to contact the source directly. 516-384-6438

Any advice here as I also have the hissing sound transmitting up through the steering column?
(I am not in the US.)

 

[JG71B]

Any advice here as I also have the hissing sound transmitting up through the steering column?
(I am not in the US.)

Same here. Installed about 2 months ago. Went in effortlessly, handles great and doesnt leak a drop at this point. I DO have the hissing, mainly around the 10 and 2 positions, not straight up though. Not bad but for sure noticeable....