Sloppy Steering

[6pktgo]

Maybe i`m to used to modern vehicle handling???
Got my 70 Charger R/T finished and put on about 185 miles. Steering is power with everything (and i mean everything ) new or rebuilt. Front end was aligned and everything is tight. New Goodyear Eagle GT+4`s. 15x7 ralleye rims that were speed balanced bare and are true. Still this feels like it`s completely worn out & sloppy !! :confused: Anyone got any ideas??

 

[D Dodge]

Was the steering gearbox rebuilt or replaced? That could be the problem.

 

[midnightrider1818]

your just use to modern vehicle handling. them old beasts arent like the newer cars. you gotta keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel

 

[6pktgo]

The gear box was rebuilt.

 

[wannadrag]

I think your used to modern steering.You want to drive something ill handling you should take my straight axle gasser for a drive.

 

[khryslerkid]

I like to stand outside the car, turn the steering wheel back and forth and see what it takes to move the tire. (engine running for PS) More than likely your use to the newer cars:grin:

 

[Eddie Mopar]

There are swap over kits using modern rack and pinion steering. If you want to pay the price and spend the time, it's worth your while.

 

[69 Runner]

These cars have power steering that require basically NO effort. New cars don't respond nearly as quickly and require more force to turn the wheel

 

[dmsdak]

Ahhhh...the good ole Chrysler 100% Power Steering. When I bought my 69 Satellite I thought there was something wrong with it steering so easy, but had an old timer tell me about the system they used back then, I actually kinda like it.

Seth

 

[69 Runner]

Old timer???!?!!??!

 

[khryslerkid]

These cars have power steering that require basically NO effort. New cars don't respond nearly as quickly and require more force to turn the wheel

They were too sensitive! Im pretty sure they were asked to "tighten" them up. Make them "firmer"...

 

[Propwash]

Are you positive they/you changed out the idler and pittman arms?

 

[Meep-Meep]

Tires can also be the cause of the mushy steering feeling. Check your side wall and see if it says one ply or two ply. My buddy has a 67 Fairlane wagon and it's terrifying to drive at 70 MPH because he has 1 ply tires and it feels like jello! You can grab the rear of the car and shake it sideways and it moves a lot. Not good!!

 

[HitIt]

When I first got my car on the road, after a few miles the steering all of a sudden got a lot of play in it. Turns out I forgot to torque the steering box down, and it was shifting side to side when steering. Something to check.

 

[6pktgo]

188 miles of "WHITE KNUCKLE DRIVING"

Thanks Everyone, :yes: for all the comments & suggestions. Here`s a little more food for thought. I had the power steering gear box & pump rebuilt then i detailed them + i personally installed these & the following, new steering knuckle on the coloumn, new pitman arm, new idler arm,new inner & outer tie rods,new upper & lower ball joints,new upper & lower control arm bushings,new strut bar bushings,new stabilizer bar links,new inner & outer wheel bearings,new rotors,mint original spindels,new preformance torsion bars, new Goodyear Eagle GT+4 radial tires. I had the car certified for safety & the front end aligned to a 1975 Fifth Avenue as we couldn`t go back to 70 in the book. ( i was told that these dimensions were compatible.)
I had a 70 Runner (21 years ago ) that i don`t remember steering like this. It`s almost scary, but i`ve been driving for 35 years. I`ve got north of 70 in this now & REALLY don`t want to pile it!! :no:
( Maybe i`m just not used to all this power from the steering & the 440 +6, as i have been know to drive the odd Chevy & Ford in the last 20 years :rolling
I was thinking :edgy: maybe i`ll take this to another larger Mopar dealership were i can be with my baby while she`s on the rack, to get that front end alignment carefully checked again???

 

[Steve1118]

Check the pot metal coupler between the shaft and the steering box. They have innards that wear out, and are easily rebuildable. Flaming River makes a kit to rebuild it, it costs about thirty bucks. This is a common deal with the old Mopars....I would bet it's loose and needs redone.

 

[69 Runner]

That's the very first thing he lists as being rebuilt. (helps to read the entire thread)

I suppose it's possible the people who rebuilt your box didn't do it right

 

[696pack]

Ahhhh...the good ole Chrysler 100% Power Steering. When I bought my 69 Satellite I thought there was something wrong with it steering so easy, but had an old timer tell me about the system they used back then, I actually kinda like it.

Seth

If the cars steering is rebuilt original with a "real" rebuilt gear box the steering should not be sloppy but rather super light with no real "feel of the road." That is the way the 100% power steering is designed to feel. You should be able to turn the steering wheel from lock to lock with one finger with the cars standing still.

 

[khryslerkid]

6pktgo "I had the car certified for safety & the front end aligned to a 1975 Fifth Avenue as we couldn`t go back to 70 in the book. ( i was told that these dimensions were compatible.)"

Double check that. Not enough toe in will make her skate all over the road...

Ps: You're doing a great job on this car! It's the way they all should be done. Just Great!

 

[426HemiCharger]

May I suggest: Were there any shims? I read that if you misplace anyof these or replace them it the wrong spot that most alignment shops won't check and most owners will have forgetten at this point.

The angle of the steering box to the column is incorrect and which will make the steering wheel offset to one side in this case. If you are fighting it then that may be it.