I've always been happy with what I got from RA, but if I were you I'd look at finding alternate 'reaction' springs. I've never taken a box apart, I bought mine from Steer 'n' Gear in PA. But when I was talking to the salesman at SnG about level 1, 2, 3, he said the only difference is the reaction springs. They are matched, and they are stiffer. So when you are putting your box back together, maybe you can make it better by installing stiffer reaction springs.
Steer & Gear & Firm Feel both likely manufacture their own Reaction Springs.... Cause Reaction Springs aren't like any normal spring, most people looking at them would think they are a washer or a shim of some sort.... 25+ years ago I made a high feed back steering box by doubling up on the springs...
If I thought I could find stiffer reaction springs, I would get some. I am sure Steer and Gear and Firm Feel manufacture there own, as mentioned above, and would not sell them separately. The rebuild kit from Rock Auto does not appear to come with any reaction springs.
I agree the reaction springs are not what you would expect, certainly more like a shim. I will try and get a few pics up of them shortly.
My plan is to double up the reaction springs, because as luck would have it, I have second box, so unless something is screwed up inside that box, I am going to steal the springs from that box for the rebuilt box. I figure that should stiffen it up some!
Jason