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CUDA 1970 original power steering Firm Feel stage 3 VS Borgeson power steering

Started by THE ZUKE, November 11, 2018, 10:04:18 AM

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THE ZUKE

Hi guys  ;)

I would like to modify the power steering because actually, it is really too assisted.

For you, what is the best way ?
1. An original power steering modified by FIRFEEL stage 3.
2. A aftermarket power steering by BORGESON.

I would like to change because where I live the roads turn a lot and they are really not enough wide for an original power sterring none modified.

Thank's for the answers  :ohyeah:


Cuda Cody


Brads70

Quote from: Cuda Cody on November 11, 2018, 10:10:41 AM
I like my FirmFeel, but that's all I've ever have driven.

:iagree: same here no experience with the Borgeson . Some of the early ones were welded out of position so I've read about/seen pictures online. Splines on the big sector shaft versions were not cut deep enough so that you couldn't use the lock nut.
Me... I'd go with the sure thing. Not a fan of welded steering boxes although I haven't heard of one failing. If you have to get the car inspected having the steering box welded together might be a red flag?  :alan2cents:


THE ZUKE

Quote from: Cuda Cody on November 11, 2018, 10:10:41 AM
I like my FirmFeel, but that's all I've ever have driven.

Thank you for the answer.

For us it is not easy with Firmfeel because we need to buy an old original in United States.
After to send it to Fimfeel, to fix and modified it and finally they send us the purpose modified.
The price at home with everything inclused (taxes, shipping, etc) is around 1100 US dollars (expensive...).

I do not know exactly de driving differences between BORGESON and FIRMFEEL power steering.

BIGSHCLUNK

I also have level 3 but steer n gear did mine- been in there a few years already w no issues. When i had mine done it was a fairly quick turnaround. Unless you need the original box done , they do have boxes there they can build. That could save you some time

anlauto

My local rebuilder John Stewart Power Brake says he can do the same mods as Firm Feel by adding some special shim washers inside somewhere ??? Problem was he needed a donner box to get the other washers from. He was looking into having the washers made, but I've never followed up... moral of the story, maybe do some research on this, and possibly a local rebuilder can do the same for you. :dunno: save a lot of money.  Also you can get a longer pitman arm :alan2cents: which helps
I've taught you everything you know....but I haven't taught you everything I know....
Check out my web site ....  Alan Gallant Automotive Restoration

303 Mopar

Quote from: THE ZUKE on November 11, 2018, 10:20:49 AM
Quote from: Cuda Cody on November 11, 2018, 10:10:41 AM
I like my FirmFeel, but that's all I've ever have driven.

Thank you for the answer.

For us it is not easy with Firmfeel because we need to buy an old original in United States.
After to send it to Fimfeel, to fix and modified it and finally they send us the purpose modified.
The price at home with everything inclused (taxes, shipping, etc) is around 1100 US dollars (expensive...).

I do not know exactly de driving differences between BORGESON and FIRMFEEL power steering.

Firm Feel should have a box for you so you don't have to buy another.   I too have a FF stage III and love it!  Both are expensive, not much difference in feel on the street from what I've read, the Borgeson is smaller for better clearance.  Here are some other threads comparing the two -

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2221197/1.html

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/firm-feel-or-borgeson.141717/


7212Mopar

The Borgeson is smaller, lighter, slightly quicker ratio. Compare to stock not Firmfeel, it is tighter, much less play from center. Definitely big improvement over stock. I do not have experience with Firm Feel. You should however get the coupler adapter from BergmanAutocraft. It makes everything reversible back to stock without the need to cut the column. You might also want to do the lower column bearing mod at the same time. BTW, reuse your stock pitman arm nut if in good shape. The steel is harder than the new one. The spline grooves at the pitman arm might need to be clean up in order to get full engagement depth with the sector shaft. Do not rely on the nut and brute force. It will mess up the threads.
1973 Challenger Rallye, 416 AT
2012 Challenger SRT8 6 speed Yellow Jacket

THE ZUKE

Quote from: Brads70 on November 11, 2018, 10:15:21 AM
Quote from: Cuda Cody on November 11, 2018, 10:10:41 AM
I like my FirmFeel, but that's all I've ever have driven.

:iagree: same here no experience with the Borgeson . Some of the early ones were welded out of position so I've read about/seen pictures online. Splines on the big sector shaft versions were not cut deep enough so that you couldn't use the lock nut.
Me... I'd go with the sure thing. Not a fan of welded steering boxes although I haven't heard of one failing. If you have to get the car inspected having the steering box welded together might be a red flag?  :alan2cents:

OK thank's for your explination.  ;)  One of my french friends tryed one borgeson steering on his 65 Mustang. He was really glad about the modification (nothing weld, he tryed it last year).

THE ZUKE

Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on November 11, 2018, 10:41:40 AM
I also have level 3 but steer n gear did mine- been in there a few years already w no issues. When i had mine done it was a fairly quick turnaround. Unless you need the original box done , they do have boxes there they can build. That could save you some time

Ok thank's  ;)

Yes if I will change the box, I need an other old because I coud not use mine (To expensive to send to US by shipping).

THE ZUKE

Quote from: anlauto on November 11, 2018, 10:51:34 AM
My local rebuilder John Stewart Power Brake says he can do the same mods as Firm Feel by adding some special shim washers inside somewhere ??? Problem was he needed a donner box to get the other washers from. He was looking into having the washers made, but I've never followed up... moral of the story, maybe do some research on this, and possibly a local rebuilder can do the same for you. :dunno: save a lot of money.  Also you can get a longer pitman arm :alan2cents: which helps

In France, we do not have a specialist in this domain.

For us, the price is a big problem (All taxes, shipping, etc..).


GoodysGotaCuda

I have a Borgeson box and have about 5,000 miles on it. So far, so good, though I wish I could get a faster steering ratio out of it.

The cost was almost neutral between it and the firm feel, by the time I shipped back/forth from firm feel and accounted for what I sold my original box for..The borg box is several pounds lighter as well.
1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi/T56 Magnum
2020 RAM 1500 - 5.7L

My Wheel and Tire Specs

THE ZUKE

Quote from: 303 Mopar on November 11, 2018, 10:54:18 AM
Quote from: THE ZUKE on November 11, 2018, 10:20:49 AM
Quote from: Cuda Cody on November 11, 2018, 10:10:41 AM
I like my FirmFeel, but that's all I've ever have driven.

Thank you for the answer.

For us it is not easy with Firmfeel because we need to buy an old original in United States.
After to send it to Fimfeel, to fix and modified it and finally they send us the purpose modified.
The price at home with everything inclused (taxes, shipping, etc) is around 1100 US dollars (expensive...).

I do not know exactly de driving differences between BORGESON and FIRMFEEL power steering.

Firm Feel should have a box for you so you don't have to buy another.   I too have a FF stage III and love it!  Both are expensive, not much difference in feel on the street from what I've read, the Borgeson is smaller for better clearance.  Here are some other threads comparing the two -

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2221197/1.html

https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/firm-feel-or-borgeson.141717/

Thank you for the links, every was very interesting. It seems Borgeson has a lot of problems.

THE ZUKE

Quote from: 7212Mopar on November 11, 2018, 11:59:39 AM
The Borgeson is smaller, lighter, slightly quicker ratio. Compare to stock not Firmfeel, it is tighter, much less play from center. Definitely big improvement over stock. I do not have experience with Firm Feel. You should however get the coupler adapter from BergmanAutocraft. It makes everything reversible back to stock without the need to cut the column. You might also want to do the lower column bearing mod at the same time. BTW, reuse your stock pitman arm nut if in good shape. The steel is harder than the new one. The spline grooves at the pitman arm might need to be clean up in order to get full engagement depth with the sector shaft. Do not rely on the nut and brute force. It will mess up the threads.

Than's for the explination.  ;)

THE ZUKE

News  :D

Yesterday I bought the complete kit power steering Borgeson for cuda 70.   :takemymoney:

When it will be in place, I tell you my opinion about this modification.  :)