Power Steering is stiff on my 73 duster

[deaks]

I have checked the fluid, tightened the belt, jacked the front up, ran it lock to lock a number of times to get any air out, still stiff, it also feels tighter in places than others, a bit like when you spin a car wheel off the ground and the brakes bind a little at certain points as you turn.
Does it need a new pump, or can i adjust it ?
Mick

 

[Photon440]

I doubt that it's the pump, all it does is supply pressure and wouldn't account for a stiff spot in any area. Is the steering action stiff in spots when the car is on the ground and rolling?

 

[deaks]

I've disconnected the steering gear from the pitman arm and everything turns fine, no binding at all.

 

[mopar 3 B]

You need to put a load on the steering box to test it and would be best to put turn tables under the front tires with suspension at normal ride height. If you're streering box is worn it will not cycle smoothly under load but may feel ok with no load.

 

[deaks]

I took the belt off the pump and turned the pulley and it turns fine and pushes fluid out, i tried turning the steering with the road wheel with the wheels off the floor and the engine off and it's solid. The pot looked a lttle twisted so i've pulled the column off the pot and turned the wheel by hand again and the steering turns nice and freely and pushes fluid out of the pump as it does so. I think it's something to do with the column, the steel cover is hanging off and the piece that goes under it is none existent. Could the plates inside get twisted and bind up somehow ?
If it's the box, how come itis so tight with column in but easy to cycle with it out ?

 

[Kern Dog]

Did you also ask this question on Moparts?
Over there, I responded with the following: In May 2013 I replaced the K member in my 70 Charger. The replacement was fully welded and gussetted to reduce chassis flex for better handling. I had the steering column out to do the swap. After it was back together, the steering was also tighter than I remembered. it turned out that the steering column was not properly centered at the base of the firewall. The inner collar rubbed the outer (Between the firewall and coupler). The car didn't like to return to center after turning until I adjusted the column bracket at the base of the firewall. There are three 5/16" bolts with big fender washers on them. There is a fair amount of adjustment possible there.
Another thing that may have contributed to my problem: The angle of the replacement K member steering box mount may have been slightly different, either from distortion from my welding OR simply from production variances.
This may or may not be your problem. Good luck.

 

[deaks]

I've pulled the bearing and casing off and there's a small collar behind the bearing in front of the gear that locks the steering.
I think this collar should be on the other side of the bearing to act as a spacer, to keep the press on horn ring from crushing the ind switch. Can someone confirm this.
I have enclosed a pic of the collar which was covering the front receiver groove for the spring clip. Behind the clip is the rear spring clip and behind that is the gear with a little tin cup on it
Mick

 

[idrivemopar]

Does this help? This is my column from my 73 RR, only picture I have of this section.

 

[deaks]

I have sussed how it goes now, you are showing where the bearing goes, on mine someone had fitted the small spacing collar there and the bearing in front of it, instead of spring clip, bearing, front spring clip, the casing and bush spacer to stop the horn ring crushing the ind switch.
Mick