Steering box vs Rack Which is Better

Steering Gear Box vs. Rack and Pinion

Episode 531 Autorestomod

While I am still nursing my arm, we discuss the pros and cons of a stock steering system. We also talk about the Borgeson steering box. We discuss different types of racks available for classic cars like Camaro Chevelle Mustang Falcon Fairlame Torino.

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National Parts Depot:
Steering Gear Box Assy: 3504-6N

Opentracker Racing
Roller Idler Arm, Early Mustang Falcon Comet – (Manual Or Power Steering): ORP-1033

[chrish]

Electric steering here on a stock steering setup. With 16:1 gear box. I can adjust the assist of the electric steering to lot or almost complete none. I still feel the road and have zero maintenance. When working on the car I just turn accessories on and turn the wheel with my 1 finger to get behind the tire. Love it

[brianwaskow]

I have a stock power steering system on my 67 mustang. I am satisfied with the system. Just keep an eye on it and due preventive maintenance.

[jimmymarshall]

I have been trying to find someone that could break this problem down in a logical way for 2 decades. Outstanding job, well thought out and my 65 mustang is going to be so happy!

[edcucchiarella]

I was able to add a Borgenson box on my 66 Ranchero a few months back and was able to retain the column shift. I had to use a solid coupler and all works well except the hydraulic swishing noise coming up the steering shaft. I will be trying to a rag joint over the holidays. I agree and want to keep the column shift if it goes to the floor... it may get a 5 speed.

[daledassel]

I had a 1980 Fairmont 4 door with a 2.3 and 4 speed on the floor with factory bucket seats. Talk about different. Power rack and pinion too.

[kinikinrd]

I've rebuilt the steering on my '69 Mach1 3 times in the last 40 years. The first time I rebuilt it stock. Good but just ok steering. The second time I went with Borgeson with all new everything. That felt just like the steering in my wife's Camry. Nice and tight. The third time, I wanted to get rid of the shock towers, so I went with a Heidts Mustang2 IFS kit with a manual rack. The manual part was a mistake so I switched to a power rack and the steering was perfect. Great on the highway and on mountain roads. I live in Colorado, so we always drive on twisty roads. It felt just like the Borgeson but I don't have shock towers and not having the shock towers in engine bay was worth every penny.

[mkspeedlab]

I put a Red Head quick ratio box in my 72 Mach 1 and love it. I feel like I enjoy the feel, it keeps all the stock parts, and performs really well.

[Romonatorz]

Thanks for the video. Just ordered a borgeson power steering box kit for my 68 mustang. Will update once I install and drive it. I was debating a long time between a Unisteer power rack and the borgeson power kit. The cost of racks has really gone up.

[fairlane]

I have a 66 Fairlane and I needed power steering, but wanted to keep the 3-on-the-tree so interior remained stock looking.

Borgeson definitely wouldn't work.

Today, I'd use the RRS rack, but didn't know about it when I made the choice, so used Unisteer and my mechanic/fabricator made the U-joints work.

Bottom line, with some creativity, R&P can work.

[Morgan-hf]

What about the bendex ram for 66 fairlane & Calum shift ? I lov my come here honey bench lol

[blakeneysanders]

My steering got much better after I replaced the springs and shocks on my 65 F100. Good video guys.

[rocki_bb]

I hope your elbows are feeling better. Bursitis is awful. Adding gout on top of it must feeling about like sticking bloody knuckles in salt water or acid and having to keep them there. I really hope you've gotten some relief and the coming cold weather is easy on your joints.

This video is so over my head! I'm not a car person, mostly because I've never really had the opportunity to learn. I'm trying to understand rack and pinion steering because I think one (maybe 2) from a junkyard could be used to make a table I can raise and lower with a hank. I'm a short woman, and I've wanted one for a long time now.

But this was a very helpful video. You've probably kept me from buying something I don't want by accident out of ignorance.

[BareRoseGarage]

If you do this on a Ford, take it from me, find the PS Pump Brackets off an E-Series (van) and use the Saginaw Pump. Takes the Ford "whine" out of it that drives me absolutely lol.
I know this is about 60's era, but I thought I'd toss this out for the '50's down (pre-PS design) era as well. Before PS was the thing, those cars have super lite caster angle & big steering wheels (mechanical force multiplier steering) and adding power steering to them (esp a rack) leads to a lot of over-steer issues unless you change the whole thing with modern caster angle & aftermarket smaller steering wheels. If you ever get a chance to drive an old Chrysler or Cadillac with Power steering, you can steer them with your little finger (because of this) but it leads to other handling issues if you're not used to it.

[fdwsr]

Have you ever installed a Flaming River Rack and Pinion? I’m looking at the one that uses the Gearbox and Idler Arm mounting holes that makes it a bolt in application.

[brianhdueck]

I put a Mustang 2 suspension in my 68 Mustang coup. Also a chin spoiler. Pretty happy with it now

[urielgiovanni]

I’m always learning valuable things here!!!

[jsslifelike]

Quick-ratio box is the plan here this winter(along with rear bushings, boxing arms and sway bar add). No aftermarket support for 1963 for hoses, but luckily someone in my club made them. Recently the box seals leak, so why stay at 4 1/4 turns lock-to-lock? Funny how these gremlins pop up once a sitting car is driven regularly again. 😂

It still amazes me that even granny could whip around in these recirculating ball-and-gear power steering cars...

[mycontinental]

I drive my classic car for the classic car feel .I don't mind a little loose steering .

[kayeninetwo]

Sorry about your ailment. Hope you get better soon.

[philb]

I have a RRS rack and pinion steering system in my XY Falcon. There is virtually no bump steer, there are stringent rules for bump steer in NZ. I think the steering lock is better. As for drive feel, the jury is still out on that.