Improving Power Steering Road Feel was raised by a Region Member not satisfied with their early 60’s Power Steering. Rebuilding the front end & the steering box to eliminate excessive clearances didn’t bring the steering up to expectations.
Fresh out of the factory Chrysler Product power steering “fingertip control” was very sensitive to slight movement and left people trying to decide whether to muscle up for operating a manual box or select power steering without adequate road feel when selecting their next car.
Power Steering has come a long ways in 50 years and now has settled in providing good road feel and stability…..something people long for in their aged Plymouth.
There are several shops that not only rebuild your power steering box but also modify the internal design to bring some road feel into steering. They also provide super tight steering column couplings to further remove any slack in your existing assembly.
Two companies specializing in mid 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s Chrysler Product power steering boxes:
Steer and Gear:
http://www.steerandgear.com/chrysler-online-catalog
Firm Feel:
http://www.firmfeel.com/c_body_mopar_power_steering_box_rebuild.html
You might find they have a rebuilt/redesigned power steering box on the shelf ready for an exchange. Note that V8 had bearings while Slant six had bushings so do not do an exchange unless you know the box has bearings if you have that style.
Steer & Gear change the design of your box to either:
1) Normal
2) Modern
3) Sport
4) Rally
Each have different handling characteristics.
I had mine changed to modern to give better road feedback and tighter box but introduce only a small increase in effort. Look at their website to see how they accomplish this task.
Any living in the Northeast may be able to do a direct exchange without shipping; Steer & Gear go to Hershey which can save the cost/risk of shipping.
See their catalog for the new coupling parts which also decrease slop in the steering.
Firm Feel use a similar method to change the road feel and offer several selections on how much road feel.
So if you are trying to maintain the lower steering effort of power steering but want improved road feel try lining up a shop that not only rebuilds but also modifies the internals to achieve that goal.
Vector files for the above article are: