manual steering

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    Author Topic: manual steering  (Read 1253 times)

    Offline rattlesnake

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    manual steering
    « on: May 13, 2014 - 10:10:12 PM »
    My power steering gear box is shot. I am considering a rebuilt power gear box from firm feel. I am also considering a manual box just to get rid of the hoses, connections, fluid and gain just a little more horse (just cleaner and simpler). If I decide to go with a manual box I might get it from another vendor.

    1. what are yalls thoughts on power versus manual?
    2. What are yalls thought on a manual box from another vendor (is there that much to a manual box that would require the extra 100.00 for a firm feel manual box.)?
    3. My car is a factory power steering car. Will a manual slide in and bolt right up or not?
    Is anyone running a manual in their muscle car and how does it suit you?


    Thanks in advance

    Ray,
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    Offline Chryco Psycho

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    • 70 Challenger R/T SE 70 tube Chassis Cuda now sold
    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #1 on: May 13, 2014 - 10:28:59 PM »
    Mine is a factory manual steering car , I love it , hard to park but otherwise I love the feel , the column is longer with manual but there is an adapter , I drove my car 40 hrs straight going across Canada , but compared to modern cars I doubt most would like it anymore , nothing has manual steering , I dislike to overpowered lack of feel with power anyway but new cars are better & Firm Feel or Steer & Gear can improve that for you
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    Offline dutch

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #2 on: May 14, 2014 - 05:44:02 AM »
    I`m considering manual too. Neil, do you know the ratio compared to ps?  I had a non ps 69 belvedere years ago and loved the feel, but I remember having to make a whole lotta turns to corner the car  :clueless:
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    Offline burdar

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #3 on: May 14, 2014 - 09:09:31 AM »
    I'm converting to manual steering on my Dart.  I rebuilt the column using a manual lower shaft so I didn't have to buy that expensive adapter.  Now I'm second guessing myself.  Originally I thought it would clean up the engine compartment and so I wouldn't have to worry about fluid leaks.  Now I'm wondering if I should have just gone with a FF stage 3 box.

    A stock manual steering box has a 24:1 ratio.  That's a lot of turns lock to lock.  A stock PS box I believe is 15:1.  FF does now offer 20:1 and 16:1 ratio manual steering boxes.  That's an option but it would make turning the wheel even harder while standing still.  If you want to add a smaller steering wheel, it would be even worse.  I wish I could drive a manual steering car just to see what it's like.  Now is the time to go back to PS if I don't like it.

    Looking at FF's site, a stage three box is cheaper then having a MS box rebuilt with a 20:1 or 16:1 worm gear.
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    Offline rattlesnake

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #4 on: May 14, 2014 - 09:22:03 AM »
    I have 70 dodge dart that has manual steering and I love it down the road and is not too bad to park but it is an inline six. Would a stock rebuilt manual box be tight or is there a need to go with a high dollar box? Dutch, what box are u looking at? I know firm feel does some performance changes to thier power box but I have found some rebuilt manual boxes for quite a bit less. Do you guys know if the pitman arm will slide right on or not? Burst, do u know exactly what those ratios mean? Is it 24 in. To one 1 in. ?
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    Offline burdar

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #5 on: May 14, 2014 - 12:08:39 PM »
    I found this online...

    •16:1 is 3.5 turns lock to lock - about the same as a stock power assisted box
    •20:1 is 4.5 turns lock to lock - this ratio was never offered by the factory
    •24:1 is 5.5 turns lock to lock
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    Offline dutch

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #6 on: May 14, 2014 - 01:52:11 PM »
    that`s a big difference, but it would make the sloppy light feel a lot less I guess. I am wresteling the same issue... I have no way to try one without ps to compare....  :(
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    Offline Surfmichaels

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #7 on: May 14, 2014 - 05:12:17 PM »
    I went with the flaming river box but haven't got to try it on the road yet, the reviews seemed positive and it looks beefy.....
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    Offline CUDA JAS

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #8 on: May 16, 2014 - 11:21:57 PM »
    I have manual steering in my Cuda, and I hate it.

    Now to be honest, I also have the fast ratio pitman arm on my cuda, but I find the steering effort to be on the verge of excessive, even going down the road, forget about parking (some of that could be the alignment).  I need to turn the wheel a full turn just to take the corner.

    I am going the other way, switching to power steering.  Of course I am nervous, about it now, because I keep hearing how loose the feeling is...but I think I will give it a try.

    Jason
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    Gearhead: car nut, automotive enthusiast, one who loves hot rods, muscle cars, hot trucks, burnin' rubber and neck snapping performance. 

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    Offline footin70rt

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    Re: manual steering
    « Reply #9 on: May 16, 2014 - 11:42:48 PM »
    My 70 Challenger is a factory manual steering car, I don't find the steering effort in parking lots is excessive, definitely more than a p/s car requires but doable. Road feel at speed is much better than a p/s car.    :2cents:
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    Thomas
    Driving the same 70 R/T since October 1985
    Native of Bozeman, MT
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