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Yes, You Can Tell A Firm Feel PS Box From an OEM Box Just By Looking

themechanic

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Yesterday, I managed to track down the man who sold my car to the company I bought it from. He told me he bought a FF chuck and installed it on the car. Although it does feel firmer than the one other b body I drove while shopping for a car, the difference may be due to my all new suspension components vs that other car's unknown condition and stock chuck.

He told me about some of the parts he sold with the car including a 1970 440 HP engine, a Dana 60, an all new 6 pack intake with carbs and other items. Since those parts were not on the car when I bought it looks as if hey were removed and replaced with less valuable parts.

Thus, the reason I am unsure the FF chuck is still in the car. I think it is not as firm as what others have described.

So, how can I tell for sure other than just driving it?

Thanks FBBO
 
I don't think you can visually tell unless it has a tag or something on it. Mine was rebuilt by FF and it isn't tagged or outwardly identifiable. Mine is fine but it's not exactly a night and day difference from stock. Long time ago but seems there were 3 levels of firmness you could specify and I went for the middle one if I remember correctly.
 
Yesterday, I managed to track down the man who sold my car to the company I bought it from. He told me he bought a FF chuck and installed it on the car. Although it does feel firmer than the one other b body I drove while shopping for a car, the difference may be due to my all new suspension components vs that other car's unknown condition and stock chuck.

He told me about some of the parts he sold with the car including a 1970 440 HP engine, a Dana 60, an all new 6 pack intake with carbs and other items. Since those parts were not on the car when I bought it looks as if hey were removed and replaced with less valuable parts.

Thus, the reason I am unsure the FF chuck is still in the car. I think it is not as firm as what others have described.

So, how can I tell for sure other than just driving it?

Thanks FBBO

Remember there are 3 stages of FF. You can get "stock", slightly firmer and stiff (I, II, II). You may have the stage I or II. I know my stage III is easy to tell it is not stock power steering.
 
I had a Steer and Gear Stage 2. There was definitely a different feel to the steering. The unit itself looked the same. They use stock units and just rebuild the internals with different components. They have a core charge and reuse the cases (chucks?) .
 
I know how they are built. But thanks for posting the info for those who may not have known.

A chuck is what Chrysler called the power steering box.
 
I have purchased two Firm Feel power steering boxes, both stage II. I am not aware of any special identifiers on them.

The first, installed in my 70 Road Runner with a completely restored suspension - it drives like a dream.

The second, installed in my son's 73 Road Runner with a somewhat sloppy, old suspension. Results? Meh.

So my take home from this is that the Firm Feel boxes are great, but they don't magically make up for crappy suspension like in my son's car...

Hawk
 
My suspension is new with the thicker 11/16" tie rods. I also have radial tires on the car.
 
I know how they are built. But thanks for posting the info for those who may not have known.

A chuck is what Chrysler called the power steering box.

I was trying to point out that they use the old cases so it would be hard to tell a FF box externally, unless it was tagged, as someone posted already. The difference is all in the guts.
 
Just to add..I just put a stage ll in my car this winter. Looked identical to the old one I removed. As stated, they use the old cores to put their goods in it.
 
I know they just change the innards. I just thought they may put a stamp, FF logo or something on the outer box to show it was not stock.
 
Matt from Firm Feel Suspensions just called me back. He said they stamp a number on the flat space beside the bolt that attaches the valve to the box. The number corresponds to the Stage 1, 2 or 3 upgrade installed.

So, I'm doing the 'happy dance' because mine is stamped with a "2". Yay!


IMG_0002-001.JPG
 
Matt from Firm Feel Suspensions just called me back. He said they stamp a number on the flat space beside the bolt that attaches the valve to the box. The number corresponds to the Stage 1, 2 or 3 upgrade installed.

So, I'm doing the 'happy dance' because mine is stamped with a "2". Yay!


View attachment 592959
:thumbsup:
 
Couldn't find a number stamped on mine but then I looked back through my receipts and found I actually used Steer & Gear in 2001 to rebuild mine "extra firm" according to receipt. It's fine but I wouldn't say it's "extra firm".
 
I sent my chuck to Firm Feel and requested the Stage 3. Steering has the modern car feel. FF rebuilt the innards of my chuck; the one I sent them is the one I got back.
 
I was trying to point out that they use the old cases so it would be hard to tell a FF box externally, unless it was tagged, as someone posted already. The difference is all in the guts.
Yes, Firm Feel uses old cases, which you must provide or pay a $200 core charge. They clean and machine them and install springs to varying degrees of firmness. Still have an old case and its still heavy. An option would be to consider the Borgeson Delphi 600 box. This provides a new gear box, its 10 pounds lighter, and upgrades to 14:1 steering ratio. FF will sell you the Pitman / Idler Arm upgrade for 12:1 ratio, for $200 more. However, the geometry changes have been known have interferences. I like the Borgeson boxes and have upgraded every project to them.
 
Yes, Firm Feel uses old cases, which you must provide or pay a $200 core charge. They clean and machine them and install springs to varying degrees of firmness. Still have an old case and its still heavy. An option would be to consider the Borgeson Delphi 600 box. This provides a new gear box, its 10 pounds lighter, and upgrades to 14:1 steering ratio. FF will sell you the Pitman / Idler Arm upgrade for 12:1 ratio, for $200 more. However, the geometry changes have been known have interferences. I like the Borgeson boxes and have upgraded every project to them.
Borgeson costs much more than Firm Feel. I don't think most people are willing to pay that much for a weekend driver unless they like to go fast around corners at the track.
 
Borgeson costs much more than Firm Feel. I don't think most people are willing to pay that much for a weekend driver unless they like to go fast around corners at the track.

All depends on your definition of "much more.". If you don't send FF a unit to rebuild, their price is $579, compared to $566 for Borgeson. If you do send a unit, shipping to FF will be around $75, for a total of $455. As I pointed out in my post, with the Borgeson unit you get a better steering ratio. With FF you have to spend another $200. Regardless, when you're spending $455, another $111 isn't a deal breaker. If it is, you shouldn't be looking at FF, should be sticking to A-1 Cardone rebuilt for $110.

You undermine your own argument. If a person just has a weekend driver, why then would they even pay $455 for FF?
 
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