Steering problems still

[Texas charger 73]

1973 dodge charger small block.

Alignment done
New reman power steering pump
New rebuilt box
All new front end bushings
Tie rods,
I have adjusted the box almost 3/4 turn to try to loosen it, but still no change.

Car drives straight as an arrow no problem, but when you steer left or right it will stay that way. When You make turn if tries to straighten up, but when you make a right turn it will stay hard in the turn even with no hands on the wheel. I am at a loss. I have been suggested to adjust the valve, but it doesn't turn on its on when running and front jacked up. I have been fighting this for a few weeks now.

Any Ideas?

 

[Don Frelier]

Sounds like you may have gotten debris into the centering valve and maybe the pp isn't developing much pressure.

 

[Rockland71GTX]

Are you sure there's no mechanical binding? Center link hitting the oil pan? Sitting still do you notice any difference in effort as you go full left to right then right to left? Maybe try to add more caster.

 

[Texas charger 73]

Are you sure there's no mechanical binding? Center link hitting the oil pan? Sitting still do you notice any difference in effort as you go full left to right then right to left? Maybe try to add more caster.

There is no binding In steering. It steers side to side smooth

 

[Rockland71GTX]

You have another thread on the steering column, any issues with binding there? Does your column have that rag joint with the shield? Is it hitting the exhaust manifold or headers?

 

[Texas charger 73]

You have another thread on the steering column, any issues with binding there? Does your column have that trash lint with the shield? Is it hitting the exhaust manifold or headers?

I have checked column and all. Is good there too.

 

[67belvedere/225]

the alignment shop can't figure it out. with the wheels jacked of the ground and you move the steering
how does it feel. check that valve on he steering box , when I had mine redone it wasn't part of the rebuild
make sure you have no blockage in the Line ,

 

[Texas charger 73]

the alignment shop can't figure it out. with the wheels jacked of the ground and you move the steering
how does it feel. check that valve on he steering box , when I had mine redone it wasn't part of the rebuild
make sure you have no blockage in the Line ,

When it's jacket up steering is smooth. Even driving steering is smooth, it just don't center by. Itself unless I put it there

 

[67belvedere/225]

when did the problem appear. caster makes the steering come back. like on a bicycle
so if the steering is not coming back, then what is holding it back ? if the steering is free then look at blockage in the system. did the alignment shop know of the issue when they did it?

 

[Texas charger 73]

when did the problem appear. caster makes the steering come back. like on a bicycle
so if the steering is not coming back, then what is holding it back ? if the steering is free then look at blockage in the system. did the alignment shop know of the issue when they did it?

Yeah I told them and they said they don't know.

It worked perfectly fine till I had the gearbox rebuilt for leaking seals and replaced the power steering pump. Where would I check for blockage?

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Found this on forabodiesonly.

Being a remanufactured box, they are set to predetermined values and that sector shaft may be a bit too snug. It will feel good, but may cause premature wear and the problem your experiencing on the wheel not returning to center. If you mark it and slowly adjust it 1/4-1/2 turn at a time, you really can't mess it up. No need to disconnect the pitman arm either. Just raise the front wheels off the ground, center the wheel, loosen the sector shaft until there is slight play or "backlash", then tighten until it's gone. Finally add an additional 3/8 turn in and lock the jam nut. Make each adjustment with the engine off and lock the jam nut each time. You'll need to keep the Allen wrench in the shaft while tightening the nut to prevent it from turning. It's all in the photos I attached above. If that doesn't fix it, look into purchasing the Moog K7103 upper control arm offset bushings to increase the caster. Lots of threads on these bushings to read up on. Good luck!

You can get the manuals here for reference.
MyMopar - Mopar Forums & Information - Service Manuals

Here is the thread.
https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/steering-doesnt-return-to-center-on-its-own.389425/

 

[Texas charger 73]

Found this on forabodiesonly.

Being a remanufactured box, they are set to predetermined values and that sector shaft may be a bit too snug. It will feel good, but may cause premature wear and the problem your experiencing on the wheel not returning to center. If you mark it and slowly adjust it 1/4-1/2 turn at a time, you really can't mess it up. No need to disconnect the pitman arm either. Just raise the front wheels off the ground, center the wheel, loosen the sector shaft until there is slight play or "backlash", then tighten until it's gone. Finally add an additional 3/8 turn in and lock the jam nut. Make each adjustment with the engine off and lock the jam nut each time. You'll need to keep the Allen wrench in the shaft while tightening the nut to prevent it from turning. It's all in the photos I attached above. If that doesn't fix it, look into purchasing the Moog K7103 upper control arm offset bushings to increase the caster. Lots of threads on these bushings to read up on. Good luck!

You can get the manuals here for reference.
MyMopar - Mopar Forums & Information - Service Manuals

Here is the thread.
https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/steering-doesnt-return-to-center-on-its-own.389425/

done that already.. im thinking my pressure control valve might be dirty.. gonna take it apart and see. maybe piston isnt returning to center to equalize pressure in and out,,

 

[70chall440]

Might think about adding a tad bit more toe in as well, you are showing 1/16 (it appears), generally I like to run 1/8" or so. Probably has nothing to do with this issue but thought I'd put it out there.

 

[wagonman]

Wish I could get that much Caster. I think all your problems point to the Box, JMO.

 

[Texas charger 73]

It has plenty of caster. That’s not the problem.

Were all the new front end parts greased? More than once?

Sounds like the box is the problem. Who did the steering box rebuild?

Neighbor lady had a problem with 2005 RAM, had some new front end parts and they didn’t grease any of the fittings on the old or new parts. Nothing.

I just pull the power control valve of and it. Looks. Like the company that rebuild. My box didn't clean then valve. I could shake it with no movement.. I cleaned it and it moves freely now. Currently vacuum bleeding it.

 

[Texas charger 73]

Today I pulled the pressure control valve and cleaned it (it looked dirty and you could shake it and piston didn't move) and set it back where it was(once I cleaned it and shook it piston moved freely) . Not sure how much adjustability it has, but when I crank it the steering don't try to self steer so I would assume it's set right... Took car back out and now I can make a right turn and it almost recdmters, but now left turn is kinda hanging Up and not really wanting to center back up. Can it be fine tuned more to improve it more?

 

[chtampa]

May be unrelated but I had all the ball joints replaced on my 96 Bronco and it does the same thing. Scary as **** to drive. The mechanic has been a friend for 25 years and before he started he told me that the ball joints were all built tighter now and to expect to have to wear them in. After a trip to Texas and daily driving it is just now getting easier to drive. I am just now able to relax while on the interstate. My mechanic told me he suspected it may be brand related. Something to research and it may involve replacing your ball joints again.

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

I think what I would try is to flush the power steering system. You my have some crap floating around in there.

 

[monaco66coupe]

what size tires?
just for grins maybe find a set of stock wheels and tires, and go drive it to trouble shoot the problem. I had a chrysler once that always wanted to go left.. I jacked the car up, started it, and as soon as it started the steering wheel went full left. Bad valve in the box.
Otherwise it is a Ford in disguise! Every Ford I owned or drove had that characterisitic.( 1952-1989 Lol)