For reasons I'll be describing in another post before long, my largely-unused '71 Dart is being returned to regular usage. One thing I hadn't got around to fixing is that it feels like something is binding in the nonpower steering. The front end's been gone through completely. I did find the steering box almost empty of lube, but filling it up and checking the worm sector preload adjustment did not change this "chunky" binding sensation. I haven't yet looked to see if maybe the problem is at the box-to-column-shaft coupler. Any thoughts?

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Is the steering box mount on the K frame flexing any? Only thing I can think of, besides not knowing how long the box had been low on lube and what kind of wear is inside the box.

Ditto. I had this problem on my 84 van after I welded the frame railt he steering gearbox bolts to on crooked. Once I rewelded the frame rail correctly, the bidning went away. I would do as Eric suggests and check for loose mounting bolts and flex.

Alternatively, and this is a long shot, does the steering shaft in the column need lube or is it possibly bent?

_________________
Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

If its worn enough its either loose in the middle or tight/binding on the ends....depending how you adjust.

On my old 69 Dart I had this choice. I had to opt for loose when the steering was centered......because it was tight and binding at the locks if I adjusted it centered.

........does that make ANY sense?

_________________
Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

The pitman arm wouldn't happen to be hitting the exhaust pipe?

_________________
Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

No box movement, but I did notice something I haven't quite figured out: the upper part of the column, from the shift collar up, is a little loose. There's some slop in the shift collar, and if I grasp the steering wheel at top and bottom, I can wiggle it up (towards the headliner) and down (towards the floor). Not by much, maybe 3/16" or 1/4", but it's noticeable. Can't really figure out where that slop might be coming from.

Nothing's wrong downstream of the steering box. There is no hitting or binding or bent component or anything of the like in the front end. And I should also clarify: when I say "binding", I don't mean a hard stop to the steering wheel, or any kind of a grind/crunch/knock noise. The wheel just doesn't turn smoothly.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Is the steering column one of the safety designed collapsable columns? If so, perhaps the column has partly collapsed, leading to the mesh sticking out and binding.

_________________
Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Yep, it is a '68-up safety column, but there's no evidence of partial collapse.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Well, there are bearings inside the column. Maybe they are just dry/worn out.

i would uncouple the column from the box and verify the column isnt causing the binding. the radial play in the wheel is not normal, and suggests to me the upper shaft support bearing is worn. if you bring it on by id be happy to look at it... and maybe diagnose the problem too.

_________________
I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

Sigh. I really didn't want to pull a column apart in my choice of bright sunny cold outside or dark dim parkade...but then that's nobody's fault but my own; I could've done this at my leisure when I was driving the truck.

In any event, the wheel and wheel lock have to come off to tighten up the shift collar, so I will have a look and see what I see. Not sure when the next Hamilton trip is going to be; I am headed down to the Detroit area for an SAE lighting committee meeting this coming week, and will be driving through hamilton on my way back, but I haven't yet decided to take the Dart or grab a rental somebody else will pay for.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

there's room in the shop here if you need it. i'll make sure i have my tote box with me if you let me know ahead of time. good luck~

_________________
I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

Gee Dan that's a hard one, free ride, or cantankerous A body with goofy steering, hummm...

I had something like this binding problem with a Suburban a few years ago. It only showed up on long sweeper curves, the wheel felt as though it would stick from off center, and back to center. Power steering hid this problem the rest to the time. Turned out to be a worn pitman arm that the lube guys couldn't be bothered to hit with the grease gun because of a skid plate.

Lose bolts holding the steering box will cause binding.

Now the movement in the wheel, I'm not clear what you are describing. Are you getting movement when tugging on the wheel in an east-west direction, as well as a north-south, such as a sloppy bushing would cause? Or, is the wheel moving along its axis, in & out, in relation to the shifter collar?

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Thanks, Step (and Eric, thanks also for speaking up). Yeah, the difficulty is I'd be coming back through Hamilton sorta 4PMish on Thursday. Although, I suppose depending what time you finish up work on Thursday, maybe I could cool my heels in Hamilton a few hours and let traffic on the 403 and QE clear out before I try to negotiate it home to Toronto.

WJA- Yeah, when you put it that way (and when I look at the weather reports) the idea of a rental does kinda recommend itself, doesn't it. The steering wheel movement is radial, and yes, it's in all directions, lateral as well as vertical. It is not a telescoping axial movement such as would occur with missing snap rings along the steering shaft.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I'd bet on a sloppy upper steering shaft baring, or perhaps the two screws that hold the upper collar are lose, and when tightened up, will center the baring.

I remember well my first Dart's propensity for doughnuts on slippery surfaces even with winter-diggers on the drive wheels, and sand ballast over the right rear wheel. While lots of fun when performing stunts, unexpected instability situations were not welcomed. Compared to today's cars, A bodies are not real good winter transportation devices in cold climates.

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC