FYI FORD - MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum
The Internet's Most Knowledgeable Classic Mustang Information
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT CLASSIC FORD MUSTANGS, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE!
MustangSteve has over 30 years of Mustang experience, having owned 30 of them and restored several others. With the help of other Mustangers, this site is dedicated to helping anyone wanting to restore or modify their Mustang.... THERE ARE NO DUMB QUESTIONS!!!!!
Visit MustangSteve's web site to view some of my work and find details for:
FYIFORD Contributors' PICTURES - Power Brake Retrofit Kits for 65-66 Stangs - Classic Mustang FAQ's by MustangSteve - How to wire in a Duraspark Ignition - Mustang Ride Height Pictures and Descriptions - Steel Bushings to fit Granada Spindles to Mustang Tie Rods - Visit my EBAY store MustangSteve Performance - How to Install Granada Disc Brakes MustangSteve's Disc Brake Swap Page - FYIFORD Acronyms for guide to all the acronyms used on this page - FYIFORD Important information and upcoming events

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    • 1 of 1

       

    4/17/2014 11:46 AM  #1

    va176jb
    Active Member

    Offline

    Registered: 4/17/2014
    Posts: 9

    borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    Hello,
    I've been researching the Borgeson power steering box, and from what i've read there seems to be a lot of people complaining of bad 'return to center'.
    I know they recommend 4-5 degrees of positive castor, but i've seen lots of comments that state that doesn't help.  Is an LCA with a spherical bearing (the kind sold by Opentracker) advisable to work with that much castor?  Is it a good idea to have aftermaket Strut Rods to account for/ allow that much castor?

    Also, it's not clear which Idler Arm is best - roller or stock type with rubber bushing.  Which one helps/hinders the return to center?

    I am rebuilding the steering linkages, and adding front disc brakes soon, and hope to add power steering later this summer.  I want to put the correct Idler in and not have to change it later.

    Lastly, I read up on the steering column bearing/clamp sold here, i will  definitely plan on that.  What is the best choice between the Borg rag joint vs a U joint?  Is one more reliable/safer?  (i read the thread about the one that slipped apart in traffic - yikes)

    Thanks for any info or advice

     

     

    4/17/2014 3:45 PM  #2

    John
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 118

    Re: borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    I installed a Borgy conversion in a 67 that was not my car, and it had zero RTC.  This car had very wide radials and stock alignment.  I told the owner to get it realigned with as much caster as they could get into it.  I do not know if there was any improvement.

    If you're going to pull on the lower control arm, it should have a spherical bearing in it or there will be some binding.

    John

     

    4/17/2014 3:48 PM  #3

    BobN
    FYI Addict

    Offline

    Registered: 4/03/2013
    Posts: 158

    Re: borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    I have the Borgesson box, and the opentracker full front end, so I think I can answer your question. The return to center works just fine, it is a little slower to return to center than the factory suspension was, but I also had skinny bias ply tires on with the factory and now have wide z rated tires on with the borgesson. There are a lot of variables at play.

    I am running about 6 degrees of caster and the car drives straight as an arrow. I made my own version of the spherical bearing strut rods so that I could do that. I drive a lot of rental cars and now the steering and handling are just as good as any of the newer cars. I would suggest to do it as it greatly simplifies the hydraulics on the steering and you will probably never touch it again. See my post about drilling the new upper shaft so that it won't come out accidentally.

    BobN

     

    4/17/2014 5:58 PM  #4

    Ron68
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

    Offline

    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,400

    Re: borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    I don't know what all these issues with return to center are about. I have had the Borgeson conversion on my 68 for almost four years and it works perfectly. I have Proxes Z rated 235/45R17 tires on the front with 245/45R17 tires on the rear. It tracks straight and true and the Borgeson rag joint coupling I installed is still tight. I have the idler arm with the bearings and the roller bearing spring perches, and I have Granada front spindles and power brakes, but the rest of my suspension is stock 68. I have done the Shelby drop and the alignment specs that were used were the "performance alignment" specs mentioned on Daze's website http://dazecars.com/dazed/drop.html . Daze recommends only +2 to +3.5 deg camber.
     

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

    4/18/2014 5:18 AM  #5

    va176jb
    Active Member

    Offline

    Registered: 4/17/2014
    Posts: 9

    Re: borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    thanks for the feedback, much appreciated

    i will definitely be adding the roller spring perches, spherical LCA and new UCA, as well as all new linkages.

    i wasn't planning on the upgraded strut rods due to cost, but the consensus seems to be that they are worthwhile with that much castor.

    the other consideration is the quick steer pitman and idler - has anyone used that?  i would think that the extra throw of the idler arm and the pitman (about 1") would create more leverage on the steering box to improve return to center (in addition to quicker steering).  I've read that this doesn't work well with stock power steering, but perhaps it's a good option with manual linkages and the borg box?

     

       •Thread Starter
     

    4/18/2014 8:55 AM  #6

    hmartin025
    I FYI 24-7

    Offline

    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 365

    Re: borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    I'm also a fan of the Borg box. Drives well! You would be hard pressed to use Ujoint because lack of room. Howard

     

    4/18/2014 10:03 AM  #7

    va176jb
    Active Member

    Offline

    Registered: 4/17/2014
    Posts: 9

    Re: borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    any issues with return to center?  how much castor do you have?

       •Thread Starter
     

    4/18/2014 3:02 PM  #8

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

    Offline

    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,460

    Re: borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    BobN wrote:

    I have the Borgesson box, and the opentracker full front end, so I think I can answer your question. The return to center works just fine, it is a little slower to return to center than the factory suspension was, but I also had skinny bias ply tires on with the factory and now have wide z rated tires on with the borgesson. There are a lot of variables at play.

    I am running about 6 degrees of caster and the car drives straight as an arrow. I made my own version of the spherical bearing strut rods so that I could do that. I drive a lot of rental cars and now the steering and handling are just as good as any of the newer cars. I would suggest to do it as it greatly simplifies the hydraulics on the steering and you will probably never touch it again. See my post about drilling the new upper shaft so that it won't come out accidentally.

    BobN

    I'd LOVE to see some pics and how-too's on your sperical struts.  Do they mount up..sorta like the stock ones..or hang low like some I've seen.
    6sal6
     

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

     

    1 of 1

  • Index
  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  »  borgeson steering box - return to center issues?

    • Board footera


    REMEMBER!!! When posting a question about your Mustang or other Ford on this forum, BE SURE to tell us what it is, what year, engine, etc so we have enough information to go on.