Firm Feel Manual Gear Rebuild with improved ratio

[Gygeneral]

Ok, my car's manual steering gear needs a reuild, there is a lot of slop in it. The first option is simply to rebuild my manual steering box and put in a 16:1 or 20:1 worm gear versus the stock 24:1. My question is , has anyone ever driven a car with this improvement, how is the effort to turn, I'm guessing it would be harder to turn the steering wheel but you have less turns to do.
Any insight as how this would feel would be appreciated.

 

[toolmanmike]

Ok, my car's manual steering gear needs a reuild, there is a lot of slop in it. The first option is simply to rebuild my manual steering box and put in a 16:1 or 20:1 worm gear versus the stock 24:1. My question is , has anyone ever driven a car with this improvement, how is the effort to turn, I'm guessing it would be harder to turn the steering wheel but you have less turns to do.
Any insight as how this would feel would be appreciated.

Make sure your steering linkage is tight and your steering coupler as well. Look in the factory service manual how to adjust the steering box. I did that with my 66 Dart and it steers like new now.

 

[70chall440]

I did try a FF manual once very briefly, my impression was that it was not any harder than the stock one but more responsive.

 

[Commando66]

I've had cars with both 16:1 and 20:1. I prefer the 20:1 because its faster than stock without the heaviness of the 16:1.

 

[Gygeneral]

I've had cars with both 16:1 and 20:1. I prefer the 20:1 because its faster than stock without the heaviness of the 16:1.

Was this with the manual box???

 

[hunt2elk]

I have a 16:1 manual in my Duster and really like it. So I tried one in my Road Runner as well. Drove it for a couple of months and then put my 24:1 back in. Cruising down the highway was great, but starting out at slow speed was a chore. I think a 20:1 would be about perfect. Problem is that nobody makes them.

 

[Gygeneral]

\ I think a 20:1 would be about perfect. Problem is that nobody makes them.

I found that Firmfeel now offers a 16:1 and a 20:1 for manual gear, look at their website.

 

[hunt2elk]

I found that Firmfeel now offers a 16:1 and a 20:1 for manual gear, look at their website.

Wonder if they are actually in production now? I inquired about them late last spring and the 20:1's were not available and they had no eta. Have you talked to Firm Feel about them recently?

 

[Gygeneral]

Wonder if they are actually in production now? I inquired about them late last spring and the 20:1's were not available and they had no eta. Have you talked to Firm Feel about them recently?

No, but I will post the answer when I do, still trying to decide whether to go this route or upgrade to power

 

[Commando66]

I found that Firmfeel now offers a 16:1 and a 20:1 for manual gear, look at their website.

Both were manual boxes. I’ve got a new 20:1 from Firm Feel to put in my Belvedere to replace the power steering.

 

[Gygeneral]

Both were manual boxes. I’ve got a new 20:1 from Firm Feel to put in my Belvedere to replace the power steering.

May I ask why you are going to manual, do you race the car. I'm so undecided on what to do but I'm leaning on staying with the manual as the car is all original, nothing was changed at restoration.

 

[Commando66]

May I ask why you are going to manual, do you race the car. I'm so undecided on what to do but I'm leaning on staying with the manual as the car is all original, nothing was changed at restoration.

I like the feel of manual steering. The factory power steering is over boosted with no road feel. I like the simplicity of manual steering. There's no pump or lines to leak or replace. It's lighter. The list goes on. I even have manual disc brakes...more pedal feel. I might change my thinking in 15-20 years, who knows.