Hey Broslants

66 dart 270 with the slant, auto, power steering.

Have had this car about 1 1/2 years. Slowly getting through all the fixes. The steering has always been sloppy.. No return, very little effort needed to steer. But after all the fix/upgrades, I am still at a loss as to how to get this steering to self center, and remain centered. I want to be able to feel a little resistance when I steer it left or right, then I want it to return to center after a turn.

What I have done:
upgraded from 13 to 14 wheels, with newish tires P205s
Replaced Steering gear
rebuilt steering box
replaced all front end parts, including new pitman and idler and all rubbers.
Had it aligned 2 times, and he said thats the best he can do. According to his printouts, they are unable to get any positive Caster. NONE.
I am contemplating another alignment at a "premium classic" shop but would prefer to stop throwing money.

The car will roll straight, doesnt wander. Turning is good, no squeals.

Am I asking too much? Neither my wife nor my daughter feel safe when they try to drive the car.

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66 dodge dart 270, 225ci, 3.7l, L6

If you want more feedback/resistance from the steering gearbox talk to Dick at Firm Feel. www.firmfeel.com

Positive caster will help the steering return to center. You can gain positive caster by installing offset upper control arm bushings so that the upper ball joint is pulled rearward and inward. Usually one offset bushing will do the job, but 2 in each control arm will get more positive caster.

To understand what's happening and how to get the results you want I suggest reading this book: https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Your-Ca ... 0912656468

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Joshua

It is the nature of the Chryco power steering box.



Be careful not to make the car dangerous to back up quickly.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I'm curious to how GM Saturn EPAS electric steering works on a A-body. There are no under dash changes to a manual steering system

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saturn-Vue-Ion- ... Sw4GVYJv77

Coincidentally, I just got a great gift from Christine's bro-inlaw - a Saturn Vue electric steering and column! He pulled in out of a JYard in Indiana and they just visited for Thanksgiving.

I have been wanting to play with one of these for a while, but hadn't gotten off my duff. It will likely be a while, but I plan to put it in the 68 turbo Dart. The manual steering should function exactly as from the factory (awesome) until I dial up the assist. So, Christine could drive it and I could even put a 16:1 Mopar steering box in the car and dial the assist up for parking and tight quarters, maybe hwy cruising too. It weighs 14lbs for the assist unit, w/o upper steering colum. The coupler shaft is 3.5 lbs. Probably it would only add about 5-10 lbs to the car depending on use of stock column parts, etc. I guess maybe the weight of a floor shifter too.

The only downside is that I love my column shifter, and would likely have to give that up. We'll see.

Slant on,
Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Lou, when you do I'm really interested in a detailed write-up. I've been toying with the idea of electric assist for my '56 Plymouth with the stock manual box since there is no simple hydraulic assist for that model.

Maybe someone installed the upper control arms on the wrong sides they are different and this would cause issues with caster angle.

Brian

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63 Plymouth Valiant Wagon

Well, this is good. I am about to resurrect a car that has not UCAs on it....soooo, which is which?

Anyone have pics of the correct UCA on the correct side? Or some way to show which UCA goes where? I don't have a car that is assembled that I trust!

sb