Swapping a Borgeson steering box in a 1970 Charger

[Belvedere408]

No slop in my borgeson box got from summit racing, no coupler.

 

[Kern Dog]

Did you run into any noise issues running up the column with that coupler?

None at all. I have no drawbacks to report with this steering unit.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Is the box truly "On Center" The input shaft on the Borgeson doesn't have a locator so it can be assembled in any position... If you are one spline off you'll have slop it what you are using as "On Center" The reason for this is the true center is ground to a tighter tolerance that the rest of the gears travel...

 

[icetech]

Did you run into any noise issues running up the column with that coupler?

Just to add on.. i am running the same box and same coupler, no weird noises at all. I had read stories from people that had noise but i got lucky..

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Besides my own, I’ve recently been involved with another BAC/Borgeson conversion, both ‘72s and using the BAC coupler. In both cases a very loud annoying hydraulic noise transmitted up the column, starting after a few minutes of running time. BAC exchanged them both, and in both cases the second box was quieter. For me, not quite tolerable, had to retrofit a stock ’73 rag joint configuration to the column to eliminate the noise altogether. Another BAC adaptor required for that, it required trimming to fit inside the heat shield.

 

[Darrah]

Mine had a tremendous amount of noise with one power steering pump, but significantly less with the one I'm running now. The pump shouldn't impact it, but it was definitely the case. The only thing I could think is maybe the "clocking" of the hard line entering the box makes a difference, as I did loosen that fitting and it may have been moved a touch. This video was with the "loud" pump, with the windows down... ignore the two-footed driving, I had just fired it up cold. Intolerable, to me and the passenger, to be honest.

Now I'm noticing the steering effort is increasing the more miles I put on it. It doesn't feel bad at all, but along with the increased effort it's also making the power steering belt squeal if I try to turn the wheels without moving. I tightened the belt as much as possible and it's better, but the drag on the pump actually pulls down the engine RPM. Once moving, everything is fine.

Luckily, I have no slop on-center. I looked forward to this upgrade for two years before dropping the $$$, but it has been a letdown. I think the system is good; I just got some bad components.

 

[Kern Dog]

I have noticed increased pump belt squeal too. It doesn’t reduce engine speed with me. Maybe if I had a stock 318 it might?
The squeal is annoying. I have a rebuilt Saginaw pump.

 

[Darter6]

"On Center"

Another term used is "High Point" Count the turns full right to full left divide 1/2 and you have On Center/High Point.
You should feel it getting tighter as it reaches that point.

 

[Kern Dog]

One article in Moar Action displayed how to find the center using a torque wrench. The highest reading was found at the center. It sure seems easier just to spin full right then full left and divide the turns by 2 to find half/center.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

One article in Moar Action displayed how to find the center using a torque wrench. The highest reading was found at the center. It sure seems easier just to spin full right then full left and divide the turns by 2 to find half/center.

Both methods are good but the in/lb torque method is more accurate..

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

I have noticed increased pump belt squeal too. It doesn’t reduce engine speed with me. Maybe if I had a stock 318 it might?
The squeal is annoying. I have a rebuilt Saginaw pump.

How many miles after install when you started noticing increased belt squeal? Mine is fairly new and I'm not looking forward to that happening...

 

[Kern Dog]

The trip to Van Nuys few weeks back.
I had Rich pull on the bracket as I tightened it. The belt was tight.
Either the pump is not up to the task, the belt slips despite adequate tension or the Borgeson unit just needs greater pressure. I don’t know where the problem lies just yet.

 

[Darrah]

The trip to Van Nuys few weeks back.
I had Rich pull on the bracket as I tightened it. The belt was tight.
Either the pump is not up to the task, the belt slips despite adequate tension or the Borgeson unit just needs greater pressure. I don’t know where the problem lies just yet.

My experience as well. My belt is tighter than I'd normally like, but if it stops the belt squeal, I'll take the tradeoff

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Which generation of Borgeson box is making the noise? There’s one that’s welded and one that’s newer that’s not welded.

 

[Kern Dog]

This was bought in 2022 and looks welded to me.

 

[Darrah]

Which generation of Borgeson box is making the noise? There’s one that’s welded and one that’s newer that’s not welded.

What part of the box is welded? I don't have pics of mine, but I just purchased/installed it last month.

 

[Mopar Hunter]

What part of the box is welded? I don't have pics of mine, but I just purchased/installed it last month.

My friend‘s dad bought the older version when they first came out. Noticed the mounting bracket one has a rounded bracket compared to the square bracket. He’s not getting any noise or hiss from his.They both look welded just like Greg’s above.

 

[Darrah]

My friend‘s dad bought the older version when they first came out. Noticed the mounting bracket one has a rounded bracket compared to the square bracket. He’s not getting any noise or hiss from his.They both look welded just like Greg’s above.

Mine is just like Greg's.

 

[70ChargerRT]

My friend‘s dad bought the older version when they first came out. Noticed the mounting bracket one has a rounded bracket compared to the square bracket. He’s not getting any noise or hiss from his.They both look welded just like Greg’s above.

View attachment 1856003View attachment 1856004

Ive ran the old box and ive got a 24 box also. My old box hissed like a snake and leaked oil. I replaced the old box and pump last year and its alot quiter than the old one. Ive never experienced any belt squeal with either one. Anyone with extreme hissing ive been told wrapping the column with like the leather baseball bat grips will quiet it down. IDK.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

With some boxes and/or installations clearly louder than others, I am beginning to think the column configuration could be contributing to the volume of the noise issue. The ‘71-72 floor shifted columns did not include a lower shaft support bearing, just a seal, only supported by the upper bearing. The ’73 rag-joint conversion I did required adding a lower bearing, curious now if the lower bearing alone could have resolved or reduced my noise issue to a tolerable level without the need for the rag joint.

BTW, both boxes I’m dealing with were purchased in the last 8 months or so.