Power VS Manual Steer.

[loco440]

Ive got power steer in my 70 Chall and find it totaly vague and to light,is there a way to give it more road feel or change to a manual steering box,if I do change to a manual box what do I need to make the change over and what are your feelings on manual over power steer?

[Chryco Psycho]

I far prefer manual streering , to change over you need a manual box With the correct idler arm , there are 2 styles changing in 72 & a longer steering shaft for the column or the adapter to make the shaft longer
if you want to try to get more road feel take the car to an alignment shop & have them maxize the caster setting so the upper ball joint is as fas behind the lower joint as possible , this increases steering load & will help with road feel

[Jacksboys]

I like power steering but I agree that there is no road feel.  So I changed my Challenger over to maunal steering.  Here is how: (the engine was out of the car at the time)
I went to a Dodge Dart my family had and took the aluminum manual steering unit off the car.  It was in good condition, so I added a little more grease.  I then removed the power steering off the Challenger and compared the two.  The only big difference was the steering column needed to be longer. 

My father was nice enough to find a steering coupler ($125) at a car show which was the perfect length.

I bolted the manual steering gear in using the coupler and the original pitman arm.  I did not have to change the idler arm or anything else.  The only problem is the steering wheel is not centered now. 

After getting the engine (lightweight 360) back in, the car drove great.     The steering is very stiff when the car is not moving, but soon as it starts rolling, it turns with a slight tension and has great road feel.  I took it on part of the 2006 Hot Rod Power Tour and never had a problem.  I currently have about 3000 miles on the setup and don't ever plan on changing it back. 

My Challenger is about 90% E-body and 10% A-body (steering and brakes).

Hope this helps.

[ShelbyDogg]

I talk everyone into putting in Power steering, and get rid of the manual boxes.  We also laugh at the guys trying to park their manual cars, when they have to turn their wheels about 30 turns to get them in a tight spot.   Try getting a firm feel box from Steer and Gear.

There is also company that makes a replacement power rack and pinion  that should bolt to your stock box mounts now. Look in Mopar collector's guide to find the company.


If you switch to manual, your wife, girlfriend, daughter, hooker?, etc. wont want to drive your car anymore

[Alaskan_TA]

Every Mopar I have owned that was not manual steering already, I converted. I love it. 

Barry

[chevyconvert]

If you switch to manual, your wife, girlfriend, daughter, hooker?, etc. wont want to drive your car anymore

I'd say that's reason enough to stay with manual steering

That said, my 36 yr. old 24:1 manual steering car with a zero grip skinny steering wheel and a 4-spd manual is a handfull.... , but now that the cast is off my arm I believe I'll stick with it.
 

[70RAGTOPR/T]

Just Suspension has a Power Rack & Pinion Steering Kit.

www.justsuspension.com

[vinb]

I changed mine over to manual steering. I kept the power steering box and pump just in case when I get too old to steer the manual box or if a new owner wants p/s, I can put it back. Hey parking is not that bad, you should be driving it anyway. I don't feel safe with the power steering at highway speeds. Correct me if I'm wrong , but didn't mid 80's police cars and taxi cabs (Dodge Diplomat) have a tighter ratio power steering box??

[Chryco Psycho]

Yes police boxes had better ratios ,these can be purchased through Firm Feel

[1 Wild R/T]

Yes police boxes had better ratios ,these can be purchased through Firm Feel

Acually the ratio is the same, the assit has been reduced, they normally offer three levels, stage 1,2 & 3 but if asked can provide a level 4 box...The way Moper atlered the ratio on PS cars was with a longer pitman arm, they cheaped out & didn't provide the matching longer idler arm...Firm Feel, Just Suspension & a few other vendors offer both pieces, for the early 71 & down as well as the late 71 & up P/S boxes....Be aware if you run the fast ratio arms they can cause header interferance...

FWIW I run a Firm Feel stage 3 box with standard ratio arms & it drives like a modern sports car.. I've also sold & installed them in a dozen customer cars... Heavy feel but it has assist when parking.