Steering Question ???

[OldRunner]

Hello

I have a 67 Coronet 400, 528 Indy Hemi, Auto, Power Steering. I find at high speeds the front gets really loose, I can work the steering wheel side to side without the car steering !! Feels a little uncomfortable when running the 1/4. Feels OK at low speeds, in fact at idle or moving it and out of the gargae. it almost feels like it is manual steering . Alignment seems to be fine. Any suggestion where to start, what I should replace first ? Thought I would ask before ordering all new front end parts.

Thanks

 

[SirSixPack]

I assume you have ruled out ball joints and such.

Steering box? I have a manual that has pages and pages of how to adjust and tinker with the Mopar PS Boxes. In spite of its appearance, it can be kind of a complicated thingy...

 

[Pops1967GTX]

I agree, Check front end,tire rod's , pitman/idle, tire wear, can produce sloppy steering symptoms. Steering box adjustment turn it clockwise, must sure not to over tighten, you can damage the gear...

Nice article on reduce steering slop

http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf

 

[OldRunner]

Thanks, ball joints seem to be fine, I will try adjusting the gear box.

 

[Cranky]

Thanks, ball joints seem to be fine, I will try adjusting the gear box.

What method did you use to check them?

 

[OldRunner]

All I have done is jack the wheels off the ground and rocked the wheels, checking for play. I could not feel any play.
Thanks

 

[67 coronet]

All I have done is jack the wheels off the ground and rocked the wheels, checking for play. I could not feel any play.
Thanks

you need to take the tortion bar presure off the ball joints.jack the car up by the frame.jack stand.then put your jack under the lower ball and jack it up to about ride hight and check for movement at that point.

 

[Montclaire]

Mopar Action did an article on using a slant six valve in the power steering pump to reduce power assist. I would also suggest swapping to the biggest pulley that you can run but you might wind up with pump catch at low speeds. TRWs used a variable valving technique but they don't hold up to high rpms very well.

If you find the box and all the steering bits in good order, you may want to take a look at the pot coupler; the body on mine wore, causing slop.