Firm Feel Stage Three has about an inch and a half of play

[Kennyr]

Hi, I have a 68 Charger with the Hotchkis TVS system, new torsion bars, fast ratio pitman and idler, as well as a new firm feel stage 3 box. There is still about an inch and a half of play at the top of the wheel. It is definitely in the box. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[snakeoil24]

Call them and find out what it should be, are you running a big Steering wheel?

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Power steering? If yes are you checking with the engine off?

 

[Dennis H]

No, have not experienced this. Have you called FF?

 

[Kennyr]

No, have not experienced this. Have you called FF?

Called them. They think it's in the rest of the parts, but it isn't. Power Steering, Stock wheel, checked with the car running. I'm putting in a 14 inch wheel this week, so that should help a bit, but it is still sloppy at the top...not nearly as much as the old box, but at least an inch and a half of play.

 

[nm9stheham]

Mmmmm, the question of 'is this being checked with the engine off' needs answering. If engine off, you may just be feeling the valve play.

And how are you checking this? Actually looking at each point in the system while turning the wheel back and forth? Or just pure feel of some sort? Just asking to see if this is a test mistake or for real.

 

[Kern Dog]

Uhhh, you DO know how to adjust the sector screw, right? This is a common thing to do to any steering box whether it has been rebuilt or not.
The engine needs to be idling. The P/S pump needs to be functioning properly too. The 5/8" nut is loosened by turning CCW, the Allen set screw is then rotated 1/8th turn CW, the test the steering freeplay by moving the steering wheel. Tighten 5/8" nut once freeplay is to acceptable levels. Test drive car. There will always be some degree of free movement. To eliminate all of it will result in the steering actually binding up and refusing to return to center after a turn. This is because the Mopar power steering gearbox is 1957 technology! They ran with the design until the last of the Diplomat/Gran Fury/5th Ave cars in 1989. It is not a bad design, but it has its limits. Try as you might, you will never match a rack and pinion for reduction in free play.
The firmer the steering is, the more evident that play will feel. You probably didn't notice it as much with the OVERboosted original steering box because once the tires actually began to turn, you didn't feel much resistance in the steering wheel. The Firm Feel setup makes the steering harder to turn which I'm sure you already know.

 

[Kennyr]

Uhhh, you DO know how to adjust the sector screw, right? This is a common thing to do to any steering box whether it has been rebuilt or not.
The engine needs to be idling. The P/S pump needs to be functioning properly too. The 5/8" nut is loosened by turning CCW, the Allen set screw is then rotated 1/8th turn CW, the test the steering freeplay by moving the steering wheel. Tighten 5/8" nut once freeplay is to acceptable levels. Test drive car. There will always be some degree of free movement. To eliminate all of it will result in the steering actually binding up and refusing to return to center after a turn. This is because the Mopar power steering gearbox is 1957 technology! They ran with the design until the last of the Diplomat/Gran Fury/5th Ave cars in 1989. It is not a bad design, but it has its limits. Try as you might, you will never match a rack and pinion for reduction in free play.
The firmer the steering is, the more evident that play will feel. You probably didn't notice it as much with the OVERboosted original steering box because once the tires actually began to turn, you didn't feel much resistance in the steering wheel. The Firm Feel setup makes the steering harder to turn which I'm sure you already know.

Yes, I know how to adjust a box. Done it a million times. Thanks.

 

[Kern Dog]

A million? Really?

 

[Runner 68]

A million? Really?

Well, probably more like 998,672.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

You can also replace the plastic housed bearing under the hood and there's one in the steering column under the dash as well that I replaced when I did mine. Zero play in mine now. Look at the offerings from Jim's Parts. They show you the photos.