Firm feel boxes

the bishop · Post by **the bishop** » Mon Nov 26, 07 10:00 pm

Has anyone got any views on firm feel steering boxes (manual) who does good-uns what to pay how much difference do they make?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Nov 26, 07 11:07 pm

In the process of fitting a P/S firm feel box , heard some good reviews on them , i don't know if the manual ones are graded , ie: , stage 1-3 , they also sell a different ratio pitman/idler arm.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Nov 27, 07 7:50 am

Pretty sure Phil Prior and Steve Hughes went for a box with a firm feel

They were positive about them. I think they are quite highly recommended.

(although I wont be getting one).

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Tue Nov 27, 07 8:53 am

My Road Runner has a firm feel power steering box. It's loads better than the stock stock 'floppy' power steering.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Nov 27, 07 9:10 am

I was not happy with my firm feel power steering box. It was not much tighter than my original.
It might have just been a bad one but I sent it back and got a medium 20:1 ratio manual box from them instead. No complaints about that one.

When I had the power box I also had the longer pitman/idler arms. What I was not told was that because of the non-stock indexing of the pitman arm you had to shorten one tie-rod by a couple of inches and lengthen the other so that you could center the steering.

I was non too happy about that either.

However I believe they have sorted that problem out now.

the bishop · Post by **the bishop** » Tue Nov 27, 07 9:19 pm

Just out of interest what make boxes have you lot been fitting. I've looked at the flaming river ones on the summit web site do you think this will be as good as any?

andyrob · Post by **andyrob** » Tue Nov 27, 07 10:48 pm

got a flaming river on my 69 RR, good at high speed

- not like sailing a ship like most mopars, crap at low town speed & its a joke to park ( two hands & lots of effort)
it depends what you want
but go to the gym before you buy one of these

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Wed Nov 28, 07 6:25 am

I got a flaming river in the 69 charger with wide front tyres a big block and a small steering wheel...
why do you need to go to the gym?
you get a workout every time you drive

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Nov 28, 07 9:34 am

There is little difference between a re-built original steering box (firm feel) and a completely new (flaming river) unit.

The only real difference being that the Flaming river units have a cast iron case and so are heavier. But for a lighter firm feel unit you need a core or pay a core charge.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Wed Nov 28, 07 9:46 am

yeah they're all of 5lb heavier

still a massive weight saving over power

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Nov 28, 07 11:06 am

Yeah there is little in them. Both work out about the same price and both come in various steering ratios.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Wed Nov 28, 07 12:20 pm

Jon wrote:yeah they're all of 5lb heavier
still a massive weight saving over power

Cah! I'd kill for a 5lb weight saving! you'd crack up if you'd seen what I've been up to this week to save a pound and a half.....

Never used a firm feel box, some of us flash gits have rack & pinion...

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Wed Nov 28, 07 12:29 pm

Next thing, you'll be cutting all your hair off to save weight!

Hughesy · Post by **Hughesy** » Wed Nov 28, 07 2:07 pm

Clive is correct. I fitted a stage 1 firm feel box to my road runner and steering is a whole new experience. There is still plenty of power assist there, but steering into bends is alot more controlled. Well worth the money. I bought mine from Neil at USA Imports

the bishop · Post by **the bishop** » Thu Nov 29, 07 7:46 pm

Thanks for your replies, looks like I'll be contacting Neil after Christmas!