I have a unisteer rack and its ok.  If I was to do it again I would do the borgeson steering conversion.  Im sure alot of your issues are probably in your old steering box. 

Steve69 wrote:

I have a unisteer rack and its ok.  If I was to do it again I would do the borgeson steering conversion.  Im sure alot of your issues are probably in your old steering box. 

Yea no doubt.  Old box is shot to pieces.  Would rather go ahead and address the fundamental issue versus trying to just patch it up.  I'd be happy with 90% improvement versus what I have now.

You SURE the steering box is shot ??!
I thought so to until......a fella Mustanger suggested adding grease to the box. It probably had never had any grease added!
(Being by the exhaust header they really get heat soaked too.)
I squirted in nearly a 1/2 tube (big tube) and worked it in by twirling the front wheels back & forth.
Steers like it did in the 60's !!! amazing. 1" sway bar....export and monte carlo bar...Arning drop and new shocks turned it into a fun sporty driving Mustang. No wallow on turns and I am now king of the off ramps!!
Although it is 60 year old design.......still a very good steering/handling system.
Thanka bough dit
6sal6

I went through my whole front end a few years ago. Replaced all the steering components (not steering box), control arms and coil springs. I added a 1" thick sway bar and a monte carlo bar.
I added grease to the original steering box too.
Being totally stupid, I never did the Shelby drop. To this day, I don't know what I was thinking 🙄.
Anyway, I feel that my car handles and steers great for what is 60 year old technology. It does have its understeer etc, but I live with it and don't compare to the late model cars. My car will never handle and steer as well as a late model car. To be honest, I have no intention of upgrading the steering. I just see that it's part of owning an older vehicle and I'm used to that.
Next time around, I will do the Shelby drop 🙂
Getting back to your post... I think there must be something wrong somewhere in your steering system. Perhaps the steering box needs grease, or adjustment or an overhaul?

TremendousWand wrote:

1966 Mustang Coupe, 5.0 Swap, EFI, 4 Disc Brakes, T5z

My steering feels all over the place which says a lot for cars of this era.  I replaced all the bushing and links a few years back but made little if any difference.  I'm thinking of just forking over the cash and doing a complete conversion to rack and pinion kit along with a new tilt column.  

Anyone tell me their experience after converting over their steering?  Was the change dramatic?  I live in the city and sometimes these crazy drivers on the highway make you need to make sudden subtle movements and it drives me crazy with all the play in the steering wheel.  I don't want to throw down this kind of money for just a slight improvement.

When's the last time you did an alignment?

I have the Borgeson box in my 68, I have the upper A-arms dropped (Shelby) with one coil cut off the stock springs. I run a 235/45/17 front tire on an 8" wheel, and it sets low and nothing rubs anywhere. I have as much caster as I can get with the stock components. My return to center is fair, I believe you just get used to it and compensate. The pump is a little over boosted, nice in parking lots, put loose some road feel. I haven't done anything to restrict the flow as of yet.

I would like to try a complete front-end rework in the way of adjustable coil overs, but the cost to do it has stopped me so far. My front springs are pretty shot and need replacing, I just hate the thought of trying to get the ride height where I want it and the older, I get I prefer the better ride over the handling benefits.

The EPAS and Manual rack along with adjustable coil overs would be quite the set-up.

TKOPerformance wrote:

kardad wrote:

I have the Borgeson box in my 68, I have the upper A-arms dropped (Shelby) with one coil cut off the stock springs. I run a 235/45/17 front tire on an 8" wheel, and it sets low and nothing rubs anywhere. I have as much caster as I can get with the stock components. My return to center is fair, I believe you just get used to it and compensate. The pump is a little over boosted, nice in parking lots, put loose some road feel. I haven't done anything to restrict the flow as of yet.

I would like to try a complete front-end rework in the way of adjustable coil overs, but the cost to do it has stopped me so far. My front springs are pretty shot and need replacing, I just hate the thought of trying to get the ride height where I want it and the older, I get I prefer the better ride over the handling benefits.

The EPAS and Manual rack along with adjustable coil overs would be quite the set-up.

Borgeson makes a kit to lower the pressure and take some of the assist out of it. 

https://www.amazon.com/Borgeson-899001-Pressure-Reducing-Kit/dp/B002L1FBFU

I had to do this as the steering was twitchy as delivered. 

I used this kit to lower the pressure on my Unisteer R&P (from a 88-93 Mustang) and Borgeson pump.  The kit allows to change pressure using one to five shims, that changes pressure from 700psi to 1350psi.  I used 2 shims, for a pressure of 1100psi.
You do not have to remove the pump to change shims, but you do have to remove the PS fluid or it will leak out.  I used a "turkey baster" to remove the fluid.  (and no, I didn't put it back in the kitchen after use!)
 

Not saying that vintage Corvette owners are any smarter than us Mustangers but, their Bendix hydraulic steering system is virtually the same as ours. They don’t seem to muck about with aftermarket r&p or Borgeson, the rebuild the o/e steering with excellent results.
When I got my 68, it was “kind of” a driver but had so so steering. I replaced everything from upper and lower control arms mounts and bushings, new tie rods with ends, idler arms, Pitman arm, rag joint, new steering box and I 100% rebuilt  the ps pump and steering control valve and all new “ correct “ hoses.
Yes it was pricey but safety and being leak free was of prime importance.
That system was exactly that for over 20 years and a lot of driving, it performed flawlessly right till I pulled it and built  a EPAS on a whim.
Dan Chock of <chockostangclassicmustang.com> Is a guy you should talk to, very knowledgeable and skilled on Ford steering, he does nothing but Ford.
I’m almost certain he will give you the best advice on which route to take.
Good luck
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, what ever you do don’t mess with the screw and lock nut on the steering box, if you over do it it may cause damage which will cost a lot more to have or rebuilt.
That screw is to adjust the preload on the sector at center position not to remedy slop.

Last edited by Rudi (11/23/2022 12:29 PM)

I bought an "old" '68 Mustang as my first car back in 1981.  Looking back now it wasn't really that old then.  I drove that car a lot as my daily driver for several years and never felt like there was anything "wrong" with the steering.  The mustang I have now is another 1968.  I've replaced all of the front suspension and I've performed the Arning drop.  It is a factory power steering car that works well.  It handles just fine.  If your car feels like it is wandering around in the road, it needs some maintenance is all.  No need to redesign it unless you just want to.

Steve69 wrote:

BobE wrote:

I did the MII conversion with power R&P and am very happy with it.
 
Note that you original steering box may need a slight adjustment as the worm gear wears in the center of the travel.  There is an adjustment screw, with a lock nut, on the top of the box that one can adjust.  It is recommended that you only tighten this screw ¼ turn at a time as the center of the worm gear wears more then the ‘end of travel’.  Too much tightening of this screw can cause the box to lock up at the ends of ‘lock-to lock’ travel.

   What MII kit did you go with?  My son is thinking of doing a Coyote and looking at this route. 
 

I used the "Rod & Custom" MII kit, and was installed in 2010. 
IMO - The extra space on the engine sides is the greatest benefit. 
 

TremendousWand wrote:

6sally6 wrote:

You SURE the steering box is shot ??!
I thought so to until......a fella Mustanger suggested adding grease to the box. It probably had never had any grease added!
(Being by the exhaust header they really get heat soaked too.)
I squirted in nearly a 1/2 tube (big tube) and worked it in by twirling the front wheels back & forth.
Steers like it did in the 60's !!! amazing. 1" sway bar....export and monte carlo bar...Arning drop and new shocks turned it into a fun sporty driving Mustang. No wallow on turns and I am now king of the off ramps!!
Although it is 60 year old design.......still a very good steering/handling system.
Thanka bough dit
6sal6

I'm pretty certain that the steering box is also the same from the factory and never serviced.  I don't want to throw money at this thing in hoping an issue gets fixed.  .

Try the put grease in it trick!....Go cheapest route first. (I thought the same thing!!!!!)
6sally6
 

Bearing Bob wrote:

I've torn down three 69 steering boxes, none had anything resembling grease in them. The one that looked the best on the exterior had the worm and sector shaft rusted to the point of being unusable.

 
Ye gotta 'greez'em ,man.......
6s6