I had Dan do a rebuild/replace on my stock system ('66 FB) 5/6 years ago IIRC....since then I've had no issues and (knock on wood) no leaks.

John

 

My 66 had factory power steering. I was told/read that the factory system was overboosted and a Borgeson swap was better........it wasn't. I have the factory PS system back on, supplied from Dan and its great. No sloppiness, easy to drive. If I were you, i would just have Dan refurbish it and reinstall it.
Anything else you do will need some fabrication. The Borgeson swap is NOT a drop in. Keep your stock system.

 

Send it to Dan and what you get back will be better than new and a very fair price. I have a Chockostang steering box and center link/control valve and they work perfect and it's a race car. I had to upgrade my PS pump to a KRC racing unit because the Ford pump couldn't handle the pressure but Dan can rebuild the factory Ford pump too as new for the street.

 

Double post?

 

Stock PS on my son's car is a dream to drive.

 

Stock PS is definitely better than the Borgeson, from what I've heard lately.

A rack is a different beast. I have the Unisteer rack in my car and I like it far better than stock PS for a couple of reasons: good road feedback, and a very small number of turns lock-to-lock (2.25) which gives an extremely precise-feeling handling that is neither too light nor too heavy. It feels a lot more like a sporty roadster-type steering than a big comfy floaty cruiser. It does come with a marginally increased turn radius. I've run it for over 60,000 miles on my car though and I have been happy with it the whole way.

 

I agree with the rebuilt stock steering 100%. Skip the borgeson non sense. On a side note I have a heidts mii front end on my car which is an extremely unpopular setup on this site and it handles much better than I expected. I actually really like it. 2.5 turns lock to lock and it will accommodate my future coyote swap. Once the swap is done and I’m making more power I will reevaluate. Then who knows. Maybe cortex when it’s all said and done.

 

Another vote for Unisteer R&P. The feel and precision are my favorite aspects.

 

I fell into the Borgeson trap some time ago...Hate it...in my case it still offers very minimal assist and is terrible about returning to center even with my caster maxed. When time permits, I'm going to put a stock system back on, it's just going to be a job now, since I will need everything from the steering box, to the column, pump, ram, linkages, etc...regret it big time. I've tried about everything to get it to function like stock, it just won't. I have three other cars with factory setups...no problems at all. Live and learn, but stay away from Borgeson!!

 

I had Dan rebuild my 19:1 steering box a few years ago, and it's perfect.
Next, I'll get him to rebuild the 16:1 that I picked up.

 

Go to Chock. It's that easy. There should be no further discussion or thought.

 

I bought my car with the Borg unit installed. Well, installed incorrectly... so I'll be into it for another few hundred atleast. And I'll still have issues with the stock column.
Is it worth the expense of tossing it all out and going with the R&P system? I was thinking of ditching the power anyway due to wanting a cleaner engine bay.
Thanks

 

I am going to be the odd one and say I love the Borgeson on my '66. I have a stock manual steering front end with new ball joints, tie rods, and center link. I have Granada brakes that do have their own issues. I may get the improved steering arms if I keep the car (its for sale). I have an '00 Explorer 5.0 so a different pump than most. I have an aftermarket tilt column with a rag joint. I think the effort is fine. It centers fine. I can't think of anything bad to say except the hose ends are uncommon for my swap-but if you bought their kit for a non-EFI car that is not an issue. I have a '68 Borgeson box because at one time I was going to put a late '67 box and column in with stock power steering so that was the Pitman arm I had to use. Do people with Borgeson issues have power steering style tie rods or manual? The manual style setup is much easier for me because it uses regular Granada outer tie rods.

 

Who is this mysterious "Dan" individual for the uninitiated?

 

You can find him here as user CHOCK.

His website: Classic Mustang Disc Brake Conversions and Power Steering

 

I was 100% happy with my stock, totality rebuilt Bendix power steering. Totally leak free and reliable for many, many miles.
On a lark I decided to do a “Vue” EPAS set up, with which I am happier yet.
The Vue system is much lighter and I am rid of the under hood heat generated by the O/E PS pump and accouterments.

 

I really like my Borgeson setup but if you already have factory ps I think I’d have it rebuilt by chock.

 

I have been fairly happy with my manual steering with quick ratio box and Opentracker idler arm.

I have never really been a fan of either the factory power steering or the Borgeson stuff. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with the original setup and call Chock to rework it.

I can't say I would do an electric power steering since I don't have any experience with it, but a few folks I know have been working on those setups on their cars.

If I ever decide to do power steering, which I might eventually, I would do a power rack an pinion.

 

I like my power steering system a whole lot. Good positive feedback, great feel on the street and track. So far zero issues with it after a couple autocross days and long drives. I worked with Mike to swap out the standard pump for one that mounts directly to the block of my Coyote. This steering box is a 14:1 ABS unit with KRC components feeding it.

Mike Maier Inc. MOD 1 Power Steering Kit

 

I like my power steering system a whole lot. Good positive feedback, great feel on the street and track. So far zero issues with it after a couple autocross days and long drives. I worked with Mike to swap out the standard pump for one that mounts directly to the block of my Coyote. This steering box is a 14:1 ABS unit with KRC components feeding it.

Mike Maier Inc. MOD 1 Power Steering Kit

Isn't that a Borgeson box? It looks like theirs without the name "Borgeson" cast onto the housing.

 

I have 16:1 manual running 4° caster. Is it harder to parallel park, yes. However the positive, manual steering has absolutely wonderful feedback. You really become one with the car. You know exactly what's going on. You literally feel how the tires are gripping.

Hands down the best thing I did to my steering is a roller bearing idler arm. Once you get rid of the rubber bushing, you loose unwanted movements. Steering becomes more precise and toe changes stay in range. I also put fresh grease in. That helped as well. So not a huge investment but holy cow how it helped! Dare I say rack and pinion like? A little finesse really goes a long way.

 

Funny you should say that Tom, since I have basically the same setup. I went for a good run to see some other old car guys this evening. I did 75 mph on the highway for the half hour drive and keep thinking how good the car felt for a home brew wheel alignment. It's steady as she goes. No wandering whatsoever, handles turns as good as our Acura. I do have a Corolla EPAS system waiting to go in though .

 

I really appreciate all the positive comments, sounds like the overwhelming vote is 1. stock 2. Unisteer 3. electric, 4. ignore all others with a very mixed possible to the Borgeson.

 

I've got a slightly modded Bendix setup in my '66. It's been a P/S car since day one. The current setup is the third "version."
(Completely stock from 1966 to 1981. Added longer pitman/idler and ran that way until 1991. Installed larger pulley, modded
the reaction valve, upgraded the idler arm bushing to solid and changed the power ram bushings to polyurethane)
I open tracked the car for 10 years and retired it in 2005 after SAAC 30.

Dan refreshed the control valve and ram a few years ago. It's had all the hoses replaced on it three times since 1966. I did replace the pressure
side again when Dan did his thing.....
I can drive the car anytime I want, never any leaks. The Bendix setup is a pretty good one, although it is "over boosted" in stock configuration.

ex-Global West GM
1991-1995

 

I've got a slightly modded Bendix setup in my '66.
. The Bendix setup is a pretty good one, although it is "over boosted" in stock configuration.

ex-Global West GM
1991-1995

Can you detail the mods to your setup? Was it made to correct the "over boosted" feeling of the stock system? The PS has been one of the most frustrating things I've dealt with over the years. Finally got everything working correctly. But would like to get more feedback and less assist feel in the system if possible
.

 

I did the Saturn Vue electric power assist steering mod on mine.
For the most part, I like it, though I have NO return to center what so ever.
The knob to adjust how much it assists is a nice feature, I have it assist just enough, so you maintain some feedback into the steering.
I have it running to my stock manual steering box, which I plan to replace with a quick ratio manual R&P this winter.
I am hoping that will give me the best of both worlds. Just not really found anyone running this setup, so have not been able to find any feedback on it.
I am hoping for a bit more precision feel, have a quicker steering ratio, and maybe gain at least some return to center (though I know that will mostly be a caster issue)

 

I'm happy with my custom made EPAS(electronic power assist steering).

 

I've had more Fords than fingers with the Bendix power steering system and NONE of them left me any less than satisfied. Same with the recirculating-ball manual boxes. Many of the issues are 50+ year-old components and lack of maintenance or proper repair. I'd venture a guess that most of the "alternatives", when they are 50+ years-old, if they make it that far, will be pretty well "spent", too.

 

EXTREMELY accurate, to the point, correct statement!!!!!

 

Wondering what the shipping cost would be (roughly) to ship a steering gear and control valve to Dan from Michigan for rebuild? Heavy parts.