Confused about Borgeson drag link adapter, power or manual?

I am in need, according to my mechanic, of a drag link adapter for my 1975 Maverick 4.1l, automatic with power steering. All the parts (Borgeson, 990003) I have found say "Manual" in the title and description, but it doesn't make clear if that means that this goes only into manual steering Mavs or if it can go into a power steering one.

Does anyone know for sure?

Thanks lots.

 

You need that adapter if you have fac. power steering. If you had manual it wud not be necessary. Also, you will have to have alignment caster "positive", out as far as it will go w/ stock strut rods. I have that setup on my V8 setup. The car will not track straight or steering wheel return to center w/o doing this. Borgeson recommends/stipulates +3 degree caster. My was all over the road w/o running the struts out all the way and it still is not where I was b4 making the switch. I plan to shim my car very soon to get it to +3 deg pos. caster.
I think they pretty much have it right. To get that much you will most likely have to add shims to the front of the upper A arm or some other aftermarket pieces to get there.

 

Hey, thank you, and on a Sunday yet! Only that bit about alignment and strut rods worries me, I sure hope it doesn't mean a bundle to spend in addition to the other stuff.

 

I have heard a few others here, state they didn't have this issue. I can only say what is relevant on my end. I think the folks who make this stuff pretty much, know what they are talkin about. If you check some of the Vintage Mustang forums, you will see a lot of folks who have done this project have had the same issue w/ tracking. My caster setup now is "Positive" 1-7/16 left and 1-31/32 right, far as my alignment guy could get w/ stock setup. It handles a lot better than b4 he had "Negative", -1-1/4 and -9/16 setting - had to fight the wheel to keep it straight. Was afraid to go over 50. Check out Borg's website to see what they recommend. This is my experience.

 

mojo, I wonder if I could bug you one more time. I can't find anything on the borgeson website about information about this (or anything else for that matter). Is it in a FAQ?

It's important that I get all I can, because my mechanic, while very capable, hardly understands English and I would ahve to explain things to him, if I can. Maybe in truth he will not be able to do a specialized alignment (it is special, right?) like that in which case i'd let him put in the drag link adapter and then go to an auto service for the alignment, but even then, it would help to have all the info possible on this, so the mechanic ccan read it himself. Thanks a bunch.

PS: When you say stock strut rods, does that mean strut rods that are easily available? And would I necessarily have to get new ones, won't the ones already on the car work just fine with a new alignment? Sorry for all the DA questions, but I REALLY don't know a thing about mechanics, and all that stuff just flies way over my head!!!

 

You are not bugging me - happy to assist any way I can.
1.) U will need the drag link adapter.
2.) Borgeson's instructions w/ the kit's are non-existant. I had to call them numerous times to get my issues cleared up. My car has AC and that presented me w/ added issues.
3.) You will have to try find some alignment shop that does old cars. The Big Box , Firestone, etc., will most likely not have the knowledge or be able to get it where it needs to be.
4).You have the option to place shims in the upper A-arms to bring the caster out past where Ford designed, a lot less expensive than replacing strut rods. if I can find the site showing how it's done will put the link here later today..
5.) Once you get it together, drive the car and see how it responds; that will determine if/what needs to be done henforth.
6.) Lastly, I am conveying my personal experience w/ this project, others may possibly have different opinions/experiences.

 

Terrific, thanks, man!

 

Look at this thread on my Borg installation, you will get some idea of what I did although ur setup is somewhat different.
There is something I am sure will enlighten u on what has been done and some links there on installing shims...
http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/borgeson-steering-upgrade-in-process.103959/
Post#29 has the video on adding shims to upper control arms.
Thanks to Tom "Krazy Comet" for adding this post.

 

Hi, Everett, or mojo, I notice (if I read this right) that some people are saying that they don't have some or any of those problems of steering and tracking after installing the drag link adapter. Is it possible that your problems may be due to something peculiar to your car, and so they would not arise in others, like mine? ( I won't know of course until I try it)

Also, is this the only choice I have, the Borgeson? Aren't there any other manufacturers of a drag link thing, that maybe don't carry this baggage of these problems and the need for such a specialized alignment? Just thinking off the top of my head, you know!

Thanks again.

 

Hi Zanti,

The drag link is not related to the caster setting. It sounds like you will need the Borgeson adapter, unless you can find a manual-steer drag link. If you get the manual link, I would be sure to get a later one (73 up, I think) because the idler arm changed. Probably less hassle and expense to get the adapter.

Caster is the amount that the spindle leans back when you view it from the side of the fender. For a good mental comparison, think about the front wheel on a grocery cart. The axle and pivot are offset and that is what straightens the carts tracking. (this is actually negative caster, but in this case the wheel is being dragged). Adding more caster adds force to straighten the wheels quicker when driving forward. It probably requires that because of the new steering gear has more resistance. If you just had manual steering and that much caster, you would notice a big increase in the effort you need to use to turn the wheels to go around corners.

If your stock strut rods don't have enough adjustment to achieve the caster, the ones in the link look like a great upgrade. They do not bind like the stock design. They are on my wish list.
https://www.streetortrack.com/Street-or-Track-Adjustable-Strut-Rods-pr-16135.html

 

Zanti, "Jeff" Captain Comet explained it very well. You will need the adapter if you stay w/ the OE drag link and pitman arm setup.
If you change the drag link and pitman arm to the manual steering -- you won't need the adapter. I went w/ the adapter; at some point may change to manual.
The link adapter is a way to hook the pitman arm to the drag link, it replaces the external control valve. The Borg steering box has the control valve inside the steering box. If I were you, I'd go w/ the Borg adapter, it seems to be a quality piece and was designed to work w/ their setup. You will need to get a special alignment "get as much positive caster" as you can w/ the stock strut rods. Drive the car, see what you think -- If it wanders/drifts over the road -- then you will have to shim A-arms and/or change strut rods. Come back and let us know the results.

 

Thanks for the great comments. You know, I just got off the phone with Borgeson. They sure are not very helpful, it's like pulling hen's teeth to get them to make a statement about anything, it's like they do not want to help.

But what he did say shocked me. If I put in this thing (Borgeson drag link adaopter 990003), my power steering will be gone! I will have manual steering. It's not crityical naturally but I am so used to power steering now, I'm spoiled. I wonder how much strength I will need to steer this thing. I sure wasn't expecting this. Cripes, isn't there an easier way to do all this?

Captain and you said that I may just install a new pitm,an arm???

I'm sorry, I am more confused than ever now. Luckily I will have the help of another very experienced mechanic, who does speak English, later today. I will ask him to read all this stuff and see what he recommends.

Thanks again.

 

Thank you, sir, for your response.

 

I don't know why someone at Borg wud tell u the adapter will give manual steering. That is what I have on my car and it had factory ps.
I am going to try and make this as simple as I can.
1.) Why are you changing from fac setup?
1a.) I changed cuz I had lots of leaks, a noisy pump and hoses running everywhere. Only 2 hoses now. No leaks.
2.) You don't want to go manual steering using the PS box -- extreme effort to steer parking. At my age 70+ manual steering is not an option. Once everything is on the car, it will have more steering resistance, more like the effort required on late model cars. That is my experience w/ the setup on my car.
3.) Use the pitman arm you have w/ the 990003 adapter. That is what's on my car.
4.) Did you buy the entire conversion kit or certain pieces? I bought the entire kit "#999052 & 99003. This includes pump, hoses, bolts, bracket, adapter and ps steering box. That way they can't say I have miss-match components -- that's probably why I am having problems.
5.) You probably better to have the person installing the sys. contact the mfg.

 

I'll get back to you on why, when I get word from this mechanic, who is researching this problem and said he will get back to me by tomorrow. That is, I don't know what the name is of the part 'underneath' that's malfunctioning and that he says very probably can be acquired; but he says it's damn silly to install that borgeson drag link thing, all I need is to find the same part that's damaged, and presto.