Stiff steering wheel issue

[Under Pressure]

Looking for some guidance where to start on my 70 GTX.
Early last summer the power steering gets a little tight in one spot (around the 3 o clock position) but ONLY after car is up to temperature. Wheel turns easily until car has been driven 5 to 10 miles, then it gets stiff/tight in one spot and it feels more in the column than it the steering box.
Any ideas where to start or what it could be?
Thanks in advance for any input

 

[WileE]

Observe any obvious interference in the linkage from the tires to the pitman/idler arms, as well as the shaft into the gearbox. Check the column bearings, what condition is your steering shaft coupler ? Does the condition still occur with the power off ?

 

[Under Pressure]

Checked for any interference and found none, steering coupler changed and problem still there.
Condition is there after car is hot and I get the wheels off the ground and turn with engine off and turn lock to lock.
Haven’t pulled the column yet.
One or two bearings in the column?
(Console automatic)
Thanks

 

[snakeoil24]

is the steering column aligned properly and bolts for steering box secure?

 

[Under Pressure]

Box is tight, can you tell me what I’d be looking for on the column alignment, part(s) to adjust, process etc?
That sounds like an area I need to be looking into
Thank you!

 

[mopar jack]

The steering column has 3 bolts attached to the firewall that allow for moving the housing so that the shaft is spaced equally in the column. The factory used a tool for alignment but you can get it close just by looks. From engine side of firewall look at the shaft to column housing alignment. There is a procedure in the service manual.

 

[Under Pressure]

Thank you, this helps get me in the right direction, anything to check column wise on inside firewall under dash?

 

[YY1]

Just FYI it IS possible for a bind in the steering gear.

The box on my 1980 truck had a hard spot that got continually worse and actually ended up breaking inside the box causing a no steer/freewheel steering wheel condition and bound linkage which had to be disconnected at the pittman arm in order to get the truck home.

 

[Under Pressure]

Well that’s scary, I’ll be checking that now also
Thank you!