replacement steering box

[crazyboutwagons]

I just came from the alignment shop they set everything they could but said the steering box needed to be replaced as it keeps wanting to pull to the left. They had the car on the machine and showed me with the wheel centered and front end up on the jacks the tech reved the engine and the wheel moved by itself to the extreme left. His opinion was that some vale in the box was bad, The power steering pump is relatively new Boullchon Performance .Need help in which direction to go from here.

 

[Davea Lux]

I just came from the alignment shop they set everything they could but said the steering box needed to be replaced as it keeps wanting to pull to the left. They had the car on the machine and showed me with the wheel centered and front end up on the jacks the tech reved the engine and the wheel moved by itself to the extreme left. His opinion was that some vale in the box was bad, The power steering pump is relatively new Boullchon Performance .Need help in which direction to go from here.

The PA valve adjustment is off. Look at the FSM for the adjustment procedure. The PA valve is adjusted by loosening the two mounting bolts and then the valve can be slid up or down to adjust. Usually someone has had the PA valve off or it got whacked on an engine install to disturb the adjustment. You probably do not have a bad steering gear unless something has broken inside. These things are a PIA to adjust and a miniscule amount of movement will throw off the wheel centering and cause the gear to self steer to the right or left.

Dave

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Mopars on Steeroids

Scroll down to "Valve Job".

 

[crazyboutwagons]

Trace 300 Hurst: Thank you for the info i just talked to my mechanic he is going to try and get me in next week to do the "Valve Job" will see how it goes.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Trace 300 Hurst: Thank you for the info i just talked to my mechanic he is going to try and get me in next week to do the "Valve Job" will see how it goes.

Actually, it was Dave's response that triggered me to post that website.

Good luck!

Trace

 

[crazyboutwagons]

Ok then thanks to both of you.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

I only do what Dave Lux tells me to do. That keeps me out of trouble because he's always right.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

One warning point! Do not reach in through the steering wheel to start the car when messing with the valve. If tapped the wrong way it could self steer fairly quick if too far off and can jack up your arm BAD.

 

[crazyboutwagons]

Thanks all for the info. We will see how the valve adjustment goes. I found out through a member here (jbooth35) that there is a company here in Pittsburgh(POWER BRAKE X CHANGE INC) located in Shadyside that does steering box rebuilds. I have seen their ads in HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS so i will give them a call. They did a rebuild for (jbooth35) and the price was very reasonable his looked like brand new the detailed invoice he showed me looked very thorough as to what the replaced/repaired.

 

[HWYCRZR]

The steering valve adjustment is pretty easy and it doesn’t take much. If it is turning to the left tap the valve down. If it is leading to the right tap it up.
Get the front wheels off the ground so there is no friction on the tires. Turn plates also work.
Use a marker or something to mark then valve and the steering gear. This will let you know how much it moves when tapped. A 1/16 of an inch can change the direction pretty easily. Loosen the two screws and then tighten back to 7 foot pounds. This will allow you to adjust when the engine is running without leaking.

To go down tap the plug.

To go up tap the bolt heads on the end.
It doesn’t take much force.

When the Steering wheel stops trying to turn by itself it is centered.

 

[crazyboutwagons]

Thanks HWYCRZR for the pictures.

 

[NewportRbod]

One warning point! Do not reach in through the steering wheel to start the car when messing with the valve. If tapped the wrong way it could self steer fairly quick if too far off and can jack up your arm BAD.

 

[NewportRbod]

When I took my son four wheeling for the first time I warned him about steering wheel jerks. Not other drivers, but the quick, vicious, snapping jerks from the wheel. I explained don't grab the steering wheel with your thumb around the rim or put your wrists through the wheel ever. That rock, root, or rut is just waiting to ruin your day and maybe break a bone or two.

 

[crazyboutwagons]

i got the steering valve adjusted took about a hour of finessing the position of the valve for the least amount of play. Now when i start the car the wheel moves about a 1/4-1/2 inch to the left compared to full lock to left before. I drove it about 5 miles on local roads and what a difference I talked to the guy who did the alignment i got to take it back to him next week to fine tune the alignment. Very happy with it now. Thanks HWYCRZR & TRACE 300 HURST the pics you posted were a big help explaining how to.

 

[Toolmanmike]

i got the steering valve adjusted took about a hour of finessing the position of the valve for the least amount of play. Now when i start the car the wheel moves about a 1/4-1/2 inch to the left compared to full lock to left before. I drove it about 5 miles on local roads and what a difference I talked to the guy who did the alignment i got to take it back to him next week to fine tune the alignment. Very happy with it now. Thanks HWYCRZR & TRACE 300 HURST the pics you posted were a big help explaining how to.

Nicely done. I love it when a story has a happy ending. Good thing they didn't sell you a gear. LOL

 

[crazyboutwagons]

i talked to a local rebuilder(Power Brake Exchange) quoted $265.oo for a total disassembly of the box check everything replace any worn broken parts & reassemble . If in the future it needs that's what i'll do. The cost is bring in unit drop off turn around 5-6 days.

 

[Sixpactogo]

The PA valve adjustment is off. Look at the FSM for the adjustment procedure. The PA valve is adjusted by loosening the two mounting bolts and then the valve can be slid up or down to adjust. Usually someone has had the PA valve off or it got whacked on an engine install to disturb the adjustment. You probably do not have a bad steering gear unless something has broken inside. These things are a PIA to adjust and a miniscule amount of movement will throw off the wheel centering and cause the gear to self steer to the right or left.

Dave

And then forward this info to that alignment shop for some education.