Power Steering Problem on my Mopar Muscle Car???

[Challenger-II]

Reposting to the proper forum..... oops



Hi,



I just replaced my power steering gear box, pitman arm and idler arm on my 1973 Dodge Challenger and all works fine except that the steering wheel does not return to center after turning. I should be able to let go of the wheel and have it spin back some. Any ideas??? I lifted up the front end and turned the wheels fully to either side and nothing feels like it is binding. I had a crap load of fluid blow out the reservoir cap though when I did this. I have to check the level to see if I had it over-filled. Would that cause the wheel not to return? HELP... :{



Thanks all!

 

[AKAMAC]

Sounds like air in hyd. system. What you did by turning the wheels from lock to lock will bleed the system.

 

[jrobinson2]

On my '73 Satellite the centering valve is on top of the steering box, its held on with two bolts and the hose goes in one end. You loosen the bolts and slide the valve forward or back to adjust the center position. If the engine was off when you turned the wheel its fairly common to push some oil out when cycling the steering.

Jared

 

[mopars1]

If my memory is working properly, it sounds like the gear shaft adjustment might be too tight. There is a straight slot screw with a lock nut on top of the gear housing straight above the pitman shaft. Loosen the lock nut and move the slotted screw counterclockwise a small amount. This adjustment is very sensitive. I would back off the screw about a 1/16" at a time until you get the return back, but by no means back it off more than 3/8 turn. If this does not work, you have another problem.

 

[TowPro]

Follow Mopars1 post, If I recall, in the center position the steering box gears are tighter then in the side positions. Might want to read up on this one in the manual, for some reason I seem to remember adjusting this with the engine running. (its been 24 years since I worked for Dodge)





Once you get the box adjusted, put the car on the lift with wheels straight ahead (or raise both front wheels), start the car and see if the steering wheel jumps to one side or the other when you start it. IF it does, then follow jrobinson2's directions to set the centering valve.



The centering valve can actually cause a slight pull if its adjusted wrong.

 

[jrobinson2]

My bad, The centering valve will cause it to self steer to about the same place every time and always to the same side. If it is the same way both directions it should be the gear adjustment. I think the other guys are right, gear adjustment is too tight.

Jared