Power Steering, Can Anything Be Done?

[Aussie Challenger]

  My '70 Challenger has the standard power steering, it really is terrible, no road feel or feed back. With out buying the firmfeel unit is there anything that can be done to the standard box to lower the power assist, change any valves? I spoke to a mechanic friend who specialises in power steering ( in Australia ) and he said that unless there were different kits available in America he could only rebuild back to standard. I may have to go to a manual box to get the desired feel.
  Any and all help is appreciated..   

  David

[hemiken]

Hello David,

Nothing wrong with your box at all buddy.  The secret is in the pump, you can fit on a later model Ford (XF, EA)Saginaw power steer pump that will make the cars steering firmer the faster you travel.  These pumps look exactly the same as your standard pump and bolt in the same position.

[drewcrane]

yes that is a common problem, loos feel ,way too much pump, hemiken is right there are several choices, also changing the box which i know you dont to do, but they also have a fast ratio arm that helps too !it depends on the feel you want , try the pump ,its cheaper and easier too!

[FJ5_440]

Anybody have the part number for that pump handy?  My steering box is new, but the over assist ridiculous and I could handle swapping in a new pump better than another new steering box.  Is there any down side to at least giving it a shot?

[Katfish]

 

[Ross]

 

[NoMope Greg]

 

[BIGSHCLUNK]

I'll look at NIKKI's over the weekend. Maybe I can present a few options. 

[darkhawk]

 

[vinb]

I changed mine to a manual box , best thing I ever did. That power steering is terrible no feel at all even after re-doing the wheel alignment. If you go with the manual box you need to change the steering shaft or the whole column.
Good Luck......

[Aussie Challenger]

  Thanks Hemiken, I thought about putting on a different pump or slowing mine down and/or reducing the pump pressure out-put. I think I might just have a play around, if I use a latter fraud or holden pump it will also have the pulley for the serpintine belt I want to run.   

[hemiken]

No Worries,

These pumps were also available in standard configuration using a V belt, for anyone else looking to do the upgrade. I can find out a pump number if anyone is interested.

[HP2]

...or you can use a divorced, nascar style, like below.

Changing the pump may help with the feel some, but it isn't going to correct it all the way. It's kind like taking timing out of an engine to reduce the power, it works, but isn't the best way to do it. A new steering box is the best way to improve the feel. You also can add caster to your alignment or go with wider tires, but again, they are band aid solutions.

[duodec]

Some time in the last 10-15 years one of the Mopar magazines had an article on rebuilding the PS box using 'police' parts then still available from Mopar; they had part numbers.  I think that the main difference was 'reaction springs' in the unit.  Sorry but there's no way I can locate the article now, all the old magazines are in storage.  Perhaps the info is available online somewhere though.

[js23nob]

for the american guys the (xf ea pumps) are found on the aussie ford falcon 1987 to 1990