Hey Guys, I have a 1969 Chevelle with Power Steering. I just had what I believe is the original gear box rebuilt. I reinstalled it with a new rag joint, bled the air out and topped off the PS fluid. Took it out for a test ride and when turning left or right before full turn on the left or right it feels like it gets hung up, I have to apply more force when I turn the wheel to continue to complete the turn. Before I installed the gear box i was able to turn the gear shaft easily lock to lock, it was smooth and no binding or getting hung up. There is no steering linkage issues or interference that I see underneath. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks
Steering boxes are tricky, I seen a lot of folks that had them rebuilt or did it themselves and have problems with them afterwards so don't rule out that the box is bad. But after I changed all my stuff and did a jeep box upgrade I had a similar problem to yours, I was also hearing a squeek from the steering column and a few drives later heard a snap from the column and it got really hard to turn the wheel, it was the bearing toward the wheel of the column, it was destroyed, It might have been the fact that the bearing was 40 years old, but I think it was probably cause when I changed the steering box I put the column in a bind (shaft was pushing against the steering column) (google "bearing thrust" if you don't get what I mean), so maybe check that, it might be your problem.
i just experienced the same issue, and after removing the column on my 1966, we found it to be the steering column bearings. That is the first thing to check. I ended up replacing the column because it was going to take 4-6 weeks to rebuild it. My symptoms were the same as yours. Good luck!
If you're sure there is no tire rub or anything like that then this is the next step to finding your problem
Jack up the car then let it down on 2 jackstands positioned under the front lower control arms.The best place is right under the spring pockets in the LCA.Then have someone steer it for you while you watch the steering linkage,rag-joint and steering shaft for binding.
Then while you're at it, check the bushing ,ball joints and steering linkage for any play (looseness)
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I may have found the issue. It seems as though the steering column shaft on certain points when it rotates is now hitting the header and causing the interference, resulting in the binding. Interesting, this was the reason that I pulled the box in the first place ( as I thought is was an internal issue) and replaced with a box I bought on ss.396. When I put that box in, no binding issue, but within 6 months the pitman arm seal started to leak. Maybe there is a slight dimensional length differences between the boxes and just enough to cause the steering shaft in a certain spot to hit the header. I am now seeing rubbing wear marks on the shaft. Now I need to figure out how to address this. Any ideas? Thanks
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I may have found the issue. It seems as though the steering column shaft on certain points when it rotates is now hitting the header and causing the interference, resulting in the binding.
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