66 Dodge Coronet Steering Help

njk53 · 06-04-2014, 03:01 PM

I need some help with the steering on my driver 66 Coronet.
Needless to say the car steers and handles terrible. On the freeway the car seems to wander and the car feels darty when you move the wheel just a bit. It just doesn't feel stable at 60 mph you get the feeling the car is top heavy. All of the front end components are new, ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rod ends etc. The steering box is a power unit from Firm Feel. I converted the front brakes to disc using the stock components from a Dodge Diplomat which has a 3/4" taller spindle than the stock Coronet spindle. I have all of the hardware from a Dodge Dart which is the same as height as the stock Coronet spindle. I was thinking on going to the Dart disc brake set up but, I was told the Diplomat brake stuff shouldn't matter. I am also not terribly pleased with the Firm Feel steering box and was thinking on going to a manual unit. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated

ss3011 · 06-04-2014, 03:14 PM

I wonder what the effect of the taller spindle has on alignment. Also a change Chrysler made in 68 was to the bracket that holds the idler arm to the k-frame, on the right side of the tie rod linkage. How is the condition of the idler arm, and does it match the pitman arm on the steering box?

njk53 · 06-04-2014, 03:57 PM

Idler Arm is new. The Firm Feel steering box is a modified factory unit and the pitman arm matches and fits like it is supposed to. I am maybe thinking the spindles may be the culprit but, I am not sure.

Keith 944 · 06-04-2014, 04:14 PM

i have a 67. been in family since new. when I got it I replaced everything on it. all suspension. went with a factory manual steering box over the factory power. that seemed to make a huge difference in the car wandering. bought the summit disc brake conversion kit, (comes with correct new spindles). I also bought aftermarket upper a arms, rest all new moog parts. car is surprisingly good on the streets. a lot better then it was. you can try these guys too for advice. I talked at length to some of them. dodgecoronet.com

Michael K · 06-04-2014, 05:33 PM

3/4 inch taller spindle is a big deal geometry wise. Use the A-body version for the disc swap.

John Dinkel · 06-04-2014, 06:21 PM

What kind of tires? Radial or Bias. Radials should be much better.

06-04-2014, 03:01 PM	#1
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	66 Dodge Coronet Steering Help I need some help with the steering on my driver 66 Coronet. Needless to say the car steers and handles terrible. On the freeway the car seems to wander and the car feels darty when you move the wheel just a bit. It just doesn't feel stable at 60 mph you get the feeling the car is top heavy. All of the front end components are new, ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rod ends etc. The steering box is a power unit from Firm Feel. I converted the front brakes to disc using the stock components from a Dodge Diplomat which has a 3/4" taller spindle than the stock Coronet spindle. I have all of the hardware from a Dodge Dart which is the same as height as the stock Coronet spindle. I was thinking on going to the Dart disc brake set up but, I was told the Diplomat brake stuff shouldn't matter. I am also not terribly pleased with the Firm Feel steering box and was thinking on going to a manual unit. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345 Last edited by njk53; 06-04-2014 at 03:03 PM.

06-04-2014, 03:14 PM	#2
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 909 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: 66 Dodge Coronet Steering Help I wonder what the effect of the taller spindle has on alignment. Also a change Chrysler made in 68 was to the bracket that holds the idler arm to the k-frame, on the right side of the tie rod linkage. How is the condition of the idler arm, and does it match the pitman arm on the steering box?

06-04-2014, 03:57 PM	#3
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 66 Dodge Coronet Steering Help Idler Arm is new. The Firm Feel steering box is a modified factory unit and the pitman arm matches and fits like it is supposed to. I am maybe thinking the spindles may be the culprit but, I am not sure. __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

06-04-2014, 04:14 PM	#4
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,195 Likes: 1,162 Liked 1,885 Times in 578 Posts	Re: 66 Dodge Coronet Steering Help i have a 67. been in family since new. when I got it I replaced everything on it. all suspension. went with a factory manual steering box over the factory power. that seemed to make a huge difference in the car wandering. bought the summit disc brake conversion kit, (comes with correct new spindles). I also bought aftermarket upper a arms, rest all new moog parts. car is surprisingly good on the streets. a lot better then it was. you can try these guys too for advice. I talked at length to some of them. dodgecoronet.com __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody Last edited by Keith 944; 06-05-2014 at 08:43 AM.

06-04-2014, 05:33 PM	#5
Michael K Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 101 Likes: 89 Liked 62 Times in 17 Posts	Re: 66 Dodge Coronet Steering Help 3/4 inch taller spindle is a big deal geometry wise. Use the A-body version for the disc swap.

06-04-2014, 06:21 PM	#6
John Dinkel Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pinckney, Michigan Posts: 507 Likes: 399 Liked 263 Times in 68 Posts	Re: 66 Dodge Coronet Steering Help What kind of tires? Radial or Bias. Radials should be much better. __________________ John Dinkel 3295 STK