dkamp
Well-Known Member
77 Diplomat, It has very sensitive steering. Is there any thing that can be done to make it NOT so sensitive?
Sensitive Steering
- Thread starter dkamp
- Start date
volare 1977
Well-Known Member
change to a firm feel stage 2 or 3 box
M_Body_Coupe
Well-Known Member
By "sensitive", what do you mean?
Is it too touchy, as in: responding very quickly to any steering wheel input? Or is it that normally it doesn't respond at all and then all of a sudden...BAM, the car moves?
As 'volare 1977' points out, you can make it stiffer, which will give you a more planned/anticipated kind of a feel. You could certainly go to an aftermarket box like the Borgeson stuff (this is the approach I took with their part# 800127).
Heck, you could even chance it a bit and get a parts-store aftermarket setup that is just like the Borgenson stuff, but not purpose build like their boxes are. I hear these are actually pretty close to providing the same result, at a much lower price point.
The absolute el-cheapo approach would be to control your power steering pump pressure by installing a few extra washers in that valve that lower the output pressure of the pump. See their part# 899001. Easy install, I initially did that with my stock power steering box and the difference was clear!
Is it too touchy, as in: responding very quickly to any steering wheel input? Or is it that normally it doesn't respond at all and then all of a sudden...BAM, the car moves?
As 'volare 1977' points out, you can make it stiffer, which will give you a more planned/anticipated kind of a feel. You could certainly go to an aftermarket box like the Borgeson stuff (this is the approach I took with their part# 800127).
Heck, you could even chance it a bit and get a parts-store aftermarket setup that is just like the Borgenson stuff, but not purpose build like their boxes are. I hear these are actually pretty close to providing the same result, at a much lower price point.
The absolute el-cheapo approach would be to control your power steering pump pressure by installing a few extra washers in that valve that lower the output pressure of the pump. See their part# 899001. Easy install, I initially did that with my stock power steering box and the difference was clear!
volare 1977
Well-Known Member
I read about using washers before but I never tried it. Also I never seen the 899001 kit before but it is good to know as my volare steering is very touchy too.
dkamp
Well-Known Member
the steering is too sensitive. At 50-60 MPH a sneeze could be dangerous. it responds very quickly to any actions. It is manageable but I'm interested if I have any options. There is no play in the linkages. Stiffer as volare1977 suggests is worth looking into. I did put an Autozone rebuilt Sterring gear on it and that helped by eliminating the slop. M_Body_Coupe can you describe the washer thing to me?
The 899001 is not too expensive so I am willing to try that too, or first. Does it get installed at the Power Steering Pump or at the Steering Gear?
The 899001 is not too expensive so I am willing to try that too, or first. Does it get installed at the Power Steering Pump or at the Steering Gear?
volare 1977
Well-Known Member
it the front end in good shape? Alignment good?
dkamp
Well-Known Member
Volare1977, Yes the front end is in good shape, I had it aligned a year ago. I do have the front dropped lower than normal.
I googled the Saginaw pump, it looks like to add the kit I would remove the High Pressure line from the back side and then remove the Nut where the line was attached. When I can get the garage above 40-50 degrees I will make sure I have enough room to do it without removing the pump.
I googled the Saginaw pump, it looks like to add the kit I would remove the High Pressure line from the back side and then remove the Nut where the line was attached. When I can get the garage above 40-50 degrees I will make sure I have enough room to do it without removing the pump.
M_Body_Coupe
Well-Known Member
Yes, the washer(s) get installed in the power steering pump valve. In short, the extra washers caused the valve to meter lower pressure of fluid, which in turn means that the steering gear is less sensitive to your steering wheel inputs. The outcome being: you have less of that overpowered response and normally need to apply more steady force on the wheel to steer the car accordingly.
Let me dig up both the install instructions (although you can find that directly on their site, or even SummitRacing I think), as well as saved copy of an article from one of the Mopar mags that actually walked through the installation.
volare 1977
Well-Known Member
hopefully the frt end was aligned after the lowering
Lowering the front end does tend to introduce bump steer since the torsion bars are effectively not working properly when lowered. Washers are definitely the cost effective route, I’d go Borgeson if throwing real money at it. The Borgeson box is better than the FF boxes from what I understand
and others have expressed from their experiences between the two.
and others have expressed from their experiences between the two.
dkamp
Well-Known Member
I was looking at Rockauto to get an idea of what a power steering pump would cost. I was truly surprised at how many different pumps that they have. How can I actually tell which pump that I have? I was told by a friend that even the Saginal Pumps from a Truck would work. Is that true? they do look the same to me.
volare1977, Yes it was aligned after the front end was lowered by adjusting the torsion bars.
volare1977, Yes it was aligned after the front end was lowered by adjusting the torsion bars.
M_Body_Coupe
Well-Known Member
So are you genuinely looking at the power steering pump, or are you asking about the steering gear?
I know you said "power steering pump" above, but the conversation so far touched on all of these so I wanted to clarify.
In the meantime, here is the gear link => 1980 DODGE DIPLOMAT 5.2L 318cid V8 Steering Gear | Shop Now at RockAuto
From that list the LARES 11031 & CARDONE 276542 look like the Borgeson boxes.
If it is the power steering pump, here is the link => 1980 DODGE DIPLOMAT 5.2L 318cid V8 Power Steering Pump | Shop Now at RockAuto
...and by all accounts these, being shaped like the ham can, are called Saginaw pumps, whereas the ones that are round are called Federal or Earlly Saginaw.
All M-body cars I've ever laid my hands on had the Saginaw pumps.
Adjust the RockAuto link to reflect your powertrains setup as the V8 stuff will differ from /6!
Mikes5thAve
Well-Known Member
Its strange being too sensitive. All the ones I've driven have been over assisted and I wouldn't say sloppy but pretty forgiving.
DumpsterFire
Member
Sounds like something is very wrong. I ain't ever been in any of these cars that I would describe that way
I am very late to this discussion, but I watched a great YouTube video on this subject. Go check out "My next project!" on YouTube and look back about 11 months back to a video labeled "Almost free, Mopar power steering upgrade! Fix that over-boosted feel." It is an 11minute:46second video that is a step by step on what he did to re-work his steering on his Mopar. Cool Mopar dude from Canada and very informative on many things Mopar. Maybe this will work for someone.
