Steering Gear Box

[Pentastar Pete]

I have a 74 Challenger and looking to change out the old power steering gear box. There are a few companies out.
Any suggestions on a which to buy ?

Thanks

[burdar]

Firm Feel. If you buy a replacement box from a parts store, all your getting is new seals. The box could still be worn out and sloppy. With Firm Feel, you have a few different options in "feel". Stage 1...stock feel, up to stage 3...more steering effort.

[dodj]

Steer 'n' Gear.

[73cudabr]

I just purchased a firm feel stage III and new upper control arms. Looking forward to seeing the difference. I can't speak to other companies, but firm feel treated me well, and took plenty of time to explain to me what I was getting.

[70cudaFun]

I'm also debating if I should rebuild the existing box or go the Borgeson route.  It looks like the Borgeson box comes with a 14:1 ratio.  I'm not sure if the FirmFeel rebuild changes the steering ratio but maybe someone here can confirm.  The 14:1 ratio alone sounds great versus the stock 16:1.  This kind of also eliminates the desire to get the fast ratio pitman and idler arms.  The price is definitely more so it, as always, comes down to how much you want to spend.

One HUGE selling point on the Borgeson is the picture they provide.  Seems like it can come in real handy for header clearance...

[burdar]

Ratio stays the same with the Firm Feel boxes. They just firm them up so you don't have that "over boosted" feel that these cars had from the factory.

Prices have come down on the Borgeson. Early units had some issues. Double check to make sure those issues have been resolved before ordering. You can't use the stock steering coupler. You'll have to cut your steering shaft and weld on a different style.

[7212Mopar]

I got the Borgeson box after a lot of reading including the Firm Feel rebuild box. Some with bad and some with good experiences. The bad is mostly associated with the first design. Current design supposed to have solved a lot of the fitment issues. Finally decided on Borgeson for the quicker ratio and weight saving. I got it mocked up on the K frame and ready to go back in the car with the engine. Hopefully within the next two months. You do not need to cut the steering shaft if you get the coupler from Bergman Autocraft. A little pricey alternative but it will be reversible. Make sure you order with the correct sector shaft size. 73 and later use the larger sector shaft.

[70cudaFun]

I got the Borgeson box after a lot of reading including the Firm Feel rebuild box. Some with bad and some with good experiences. The bad is mostly associated with the first design. Current design supposed to have solved a lot of the fitment issues. Finally decided on Borgeson for the quicker ratio and weight saving. I got it mocked up on the K frame and ready to go back in the car with the engine. Hopefully within the next two months. You do not need to cut the steering shaft if you get the coupler from Bergman Autocraft. A little pricey alternative but it will be reversible. Make sure you order with the correct sector shaft size. 73 and later use the larger sector shaft.

So whats the difference between the Bergman coupler and a Universal Coupler like this one:  http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/e-body-barracuda-1970-74/parts/mn7507.html

These both look like difference parts and are both labeled "coupler".  Are both these parts needed for a Borgeson Power Box?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

So whats the difference between the Bergman coupler and a Universal Coupler like this one:  http://www.classicindustries.com/product/mopar/e-body-barracuda-1970-74/parts/mn7507.html

These both look like difference parts and are both labeled "coupler".  Are both these parts needed for a Borgeson Power Box?

The Bergman is a factory-style coupler that does not need modification to the column to install. The Borgeson requires you to cut some off of the shaft, drill and pin a u-joint "coupler".

So the style of "coupler" is what differs, they both will do the same task. I have the Borgeson coupler.


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[70cudaFun]

The Bergman is a factory-style coupler that does not need modification to the column to install. The Borgeson requires you to cut some off of the shaft, drill and pin a u-joint "coupler".

So the style of "coupler" is what differs, they both will do the same task. I have the Borgeson coupler.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Perfect, thank you!

[stevec677]

I just replaced my leaking (way too strong - no road feel) 1971 steering box with a stage 2 Firm Feel rebuilt unit.  I love the difference.  Not a huge change, but enough that you do get some road feed back.  Firm Feel was great to deal with.  I used one of their cores and sent back my original, to avoid having to keep the car down while it was rebuilt.  They were real quick - 10 days including shipping.  They also bought a 1974 core that I had.