Firm feel or Steer $ gear?
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I doubt anyone has used both to be able to give an unbiased opinion. I used FF and so far zero issues, but have heard the same about steer and gear, you'll always have outliers with each I'm sure. Be sure you know EXACTLY when you'll get your box back in your hands, that may be a deciding factor for your build.
Shipping may be another reason to go with one and not the other.
Shipping may be another reason to go with one and not the other.
71Polara383
Kid with ballcap
Had steer and gear rebuild a steering box for one of @ayilar cars. Regina, a 1970 Polara if I am not mistaken. Night and day difference.
Had Firm Feel do a stage 2 box for my '70 300. Delivery time was as promised, and it works just fine. If I had it to do again, I don't know if I would go with the stage 2 and go for the closer to stock feel.
I just remembered this. Not sure why I forgot.
I had them do a Stage 2 on my fury a year ago, it was too much for a heavy car like this so just had them go back in and do a "Stock" build. expensive mistake on my part.
Stock or modern feel?
71Polara383
Kid with ballcap
I'm gonna say modern...it felt tighter than any original chrysler I've ever driven. Very responsive.
I went with a firm feel stage 2 on my 66 sport fury and love the feel over stock. As you see everyone has their own opinion based on what feel they like and their experience with each company they went with. Both are using factory gear boxes to rebuild and likely doing the same basic stuff internally for the different "feel" options so in my opinion go with whom ever you can get the better total price from including the core charge, who has it in stock for when you need it, and whos process is the least complicated to order and return the core. Both have been around for a while and have good reputations.
bigmoparjeff
Senior Member
I didn't have very good luck with a Steer & Gear box that I installed in a customer's 1970 Challenger.
The first rebuild drove decent, but the box started leaking with less than 100 miles on it. I sent it back under warranty, and the second time around I don't think they put it back together correctly. The steering wheel was off center from the first rebuild and the steering didn't feel any tighter than a stock box with 100K on it. The box should have come out and gone back a third time, but it just wasn't possible in the time frame that I had. Originally, the steering was so bad that the car was almost undriveable, so the sloppy second rebuild was still a big improvement.
Jeff
The first rebuild drove decent, but the box started leaking with less than 100 miles on it. I sent it back under warranty, and the second time around I don't think they put it back together correctly. The steering wheel was off center from the first rebuild and the steering didn't feel any tighter than a stock box with 100K on it. The box should have come out and gone back a third time, but it just wasn't possible in the time frame that I had. Originally, the steering was so bad that the car was almost undriveable, so the sloppy second rebuild was still a big improvement.
Jeff
1970FuryConv
Old Man with a Hat
I put FF stage 2 rebuilt steering gear on my 1970 Fury convertible. Wonderful improvement in steering quality. Would choose that stage 2 again in a heart beat.
Firm Feel Rebuilt Steering Gear on 1970 Fury 440/727
Again. Personal preference. If i was city driving all the time it would be fine i think. Most of my driving is highway since I live in BFE and stage 2 gets tiring after an hour or so.
I agree it is personal preference.
My experience is opposite. On the highway, it's great. I drive a lot of country roads and it's pretty good there too. I don't like it for parking and city driving. I think I'm too used to the original steering feel.
At the time, they offered 3 stages. Now I see they have 4 stages, including a "stock" version. I think the Stage 1 is supposed to be similar to the "cop car" boxes that are a little firmer.
Talking to FF they say that the "Stock" feel is actually more like a brand new Cop Car feel. The hard part about all this is that unless you are REALLY lucky, you have zero opportunity to try out someone elses setup to know how to compare. Trying to explain a "Feel" on the internet and hoping someone understands your thought process is impossible. Just have to throw the dice on the table and hope you walk away a winner.
57fury440
Well-Known Member
I had Firm Feel do the one on my 57. I would say it was about 20 years ago and it is still working fine. I had them do stage 1 and it is tighter than stock but nice to drive.
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