Borgeson Steering Box

[alderan33]

Hey guys. I installed a new Borgeson steering box and rag joint. I centered the box as directed and installed. I turned the wheels left and right and noticed that the left turn is significantly sharper than the right. The wheels were in the same location as when I pulled the pitman arm. I removed the pitman arm and attempted to rotate it to compensate and find a closer center but it can only be rotated in 90 degree increments. And 90 degrees is way too far causing clearance issues with everything else down the line. I know the steering box is centered as it has that tight sweet spot in the middle. I don't think rotating the steering box back to the right before reinstalling the rag joint would be a good idea. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any help.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by alderan33

Hey guys. I installed a new Borgeson steering box and rag joint. I centered the box as directed and installed. I turned the wheels left and right and noticed that the left turn is significantly sharper than the right. The wheels were in the same location as when I pulled the pitman arm. I removed the pitman arm and attempted to rotate it to compensate and find a closer center but it can only be rotated in 90 degree increments. And 90 degrees is way too far causing clearance issues with everything else down the line. I know the steering box is centered as it has that tight sweet spot in the middle. I don't think rotating the steering box back to the right before reinstalling the rag joint would be a good idea. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any help.

Did yours sit flat against the frame rail, or do you have a gap between the frame rail and mounting surfaces on the gearbox like I showed in my post earlier in this thread? Having a gap would cause the steering to be uneven.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Did yours sit flat against the frame rail, or do you have a gap between the frame rail and mounting surfaces on the gearbox like I showed in my post earlier in this thread? Having a gap would cause the steering to be uneven.

I'm not sure about Alderan, but I purchased one and yes, there is an 1/8th gap between the frame and the gearbox. I called Borgeson this morning and they said yes, they had a few issues with that, . They suggested that I shim it out to make it fit.... I'm not totatly opposed to shimming it based on thoughts from the group. However, it's ridiculous to have to shim a brand new $500 part to make it fit, maybe I'm wrong. He said return it if I wanted a refund. Not sure what to do here, thinking about going to a redhead. Thoughts?

[pjmoreland]

That 1/8" gap is why I went to town with a grinder on mine. I probably voided the warranty by doing that, but I wasn't willing to use spacers. I would have gone with a Redhead if I had known about this issue ahead of time.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

That 1/8" gap is why I went to town with a grinder on mine. I probably voided the warranty by doing that, but I wasn't willing to use spacers. I would have gone with a Redhead if I had known about this issue ahead of time.

I agree on knowing ahead of time, I wouldn't have either. Now I'm debating on going through the hassle of sending it back and then ordering a Redhead. Why did you choose grinding over using spacers? I posted pictures of mine.

[pjmoreland]

Mostly, it just would have bugged me having spacers there from an aesthetic standpoint. It's probably a small enough shift that it wouldn't have a significant impact on the steering geometry.

[Bloodhound]

I personally would send that back and get a Redhead, which I have and love btw. But if the Redhead came like that I would have sent that back too. That is unacceptable.

[RustyPile]

Three years ago, I installed power steering on my '71, where previously there was none.. I installed a Cardone reman gear box per their instructions.. I've had absolutely zero problems with it... Cost me less than $400 for everything including gear box, pitman arm, idler arm, pump and hoses....

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Mostly, it just would have bugged me having spacers there from an aesthetic standpoint. It's probably a small enough shift that it wouldn't have a significant impact on the steering geometry.

I ended up using 4 1/8" hardened washers and they are not very noticeable. This tells me there machining must be wrong. Hopefully I have no issues.

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

I personally would send that back and get a Redhead, which I have and love btw. But if the Redhead came like that I would have sent that back too. That is unacceptable.

I probably should have, but I have read the Redhead has issues also and they only have a one year warranty, Borgeson has a 3 year warranty. Hopefully I won't need it.

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Three years ago, I installed power steering on my '71, where previously there was none.. I installed a Cardone reman gear box per their instructions.. I've had absolutely zero problems with it... Cost me less than $400 for everything including gear box, pitman arm, idler arm, pump and hoses....

Not a bad option, but I really do like the lower ratio steering boxes (lock to lock). And with the quality of parts EVERYWHERE, I may have not been any better off.

I had an AGR box on the truck to begin with and the only reason I had to replace the box is that while doing my engine swap, I needed to turn the wheels. As I was turning them, I heard a pop. I thought it was something in my tilt column, but it ended up being something inside the AGR box . Does anyone know if they sell a rebuild kit for the AGR boxes? Are they even still in business? I couldn't find their website

[pound41]

I have a 1971 blazer 4x4 and a 1975 K10. Eventually I will replace both. I learned that Cardone and others are using the same number for a 71 blazer and a 75 K10. They said luck of the draw for what you get. Is there an additional number at the end for example 3L or 4L on the case that would tell you the difference. Thanks

[Jeepwm69]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

I had an AGR box on the truck to begin with and the only reason I had to replace the box is that while doing my engine swap, I need to turn the wheels. As I was turn them, I hear a pop. I thought it was something in my tilt column, but it ended up being something inside the AGR box . Does anyone know if they sell a rebuild kit for the AGR boxes? Are they even still in business? I couldn't find their website

AGR turned to crap when one of their guys left. He started PSC.

Been awhile since I've shopped for a steering box. I have an older AGR box and pump on one of my Jeep CJ's, and the pump went out a while back and I haven't gotten around to fixing it yet, so it's been sitting.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

AGR turned to crap when one of their guys left. He started PSC.

Been awhile since I've shopped for a steering box. I have an older AGR box and pump on one of my Jeep CJ's, and the pump went out a while back and I haven't gotten around to fixing it yet, so it's been sitting.

Do they make a rebuild kit for the AGR box?

[Jeepwm69]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Do they make a rebuild kit for the AGR box?

Not sure. I haven't had any problems with my box yet. The AGR pump is toast, probably doesn't have 5K miles on it.

Both were installed around 2002, so obviously don't drive that Jeep a lot.

[PowerdbyChevy79]

AGR is straight trash, Borgeson is the way to go.. I have had zero issues with mine in my 66.