Road Runner Nest

Hey Nesters. I'm a newbie looking for help... based in Melbourne Australia of all places. I finally got my 72 on the road and I'm a bit thrown by the sloppy steering box! I'm well used to 70s cars as my daily is a camaro that turns on a dime. I'm ok with the idea of power steering, just surprised the aftermarket doesn't have the perfect solution for Chryslers.

Far as I can see I have a few options so I was wondering what you all have done to improve the handling?

1 - revert to a manual box from Flaming River etc (not my preferred option)
2 - swap to a late 70s cop style box (which one?)
3 - rebuild the box and tighten it to death (been there, done that)
4 - add a Firm Feel with an extended Pitman arm (I have hooker headers and I'm sure they'll rub)
5 - buy one of those fancy ALTERKTION front clips (when I win lotto)

Or # 6 - suck it up and get used to it.

I'll take some pics of my ride and post later... thanks for your help!

My power steering box is worn out as well. Whats wrong with buying a new one? They seem widely available. Are you trying to keep the car stock and are worried about part number or do you think a new box wont be any good either?

I'd like to know people's opinions whether this is an issue or not.

I was thinking Mopar boxes with the power steering are just loose in general. My first reaction when I drove the car was whoaa!, it was so soft and passive... not much control. But after driving it a few times over the weekend, I gotta say I'm getting used to it. Swings and roundabouts I guess.

I'm happy not to run a stock box, just love a bit more bite with the tiller.

I'm curious cause I've never drove a mopar, let alone a car from 71'. Mine has the power steering and I want to rebuild it for stock purposes. The most experience I have with power steering is putting a monte carlo ss box in my 80' malibu and WHOA! that was an improvement.

So is there an upgrade on a later model Chrysler that would swap into the roadrunner?

My advice would be to get a box from Firm Feel. The power steering gear boxes they offer are rebuilt and control valve springs changed to provide increased feedback pressures, available in three stages of your choice. IIRC, stage 1 is being compared to the slightly more than factory “police” box of the day. I went with the 73’ and up box with the larger diameter sector shaft, requires the later pitman arm as well, and valve springs at stage 2. I do read where a lot of folks who have opted for stage 2 would order stage 3 next go round however. I’m happy with mine.
Pretty commonly accepted that the original Mopar P/S system back then was over assisted, if what you feel is really “slop” at the center position could very well just be that a sector shaft adjustment to compensate for wear could improve it.

thanks for that, looks like a winner!

Make sure you inspect the lower control arm bushings! You can jack up one of these cars and check the front end any way you know how and miss bad lower control arm bushings. They make the car follow cracks in the road, and give an overall sloppy feel. If thats not it, there are faster ratio options, you mentioned most of them. They do make a bolt in rack and pinion now too.

there is a adjustment screw on the steering box itself make sure the adjustment shaftis adjusted correctly and that you are getting proper flow to the worm and sector of the steering column. if steering is sloppy with a wide ratio before the turn iniated you amek need to tighten the adjustment shaft within tolerance over years the shaft moves out and requires adjustment

cheers!