I'm on my 3rd rebuilt power steering gear box (1966 Dart GT) and I don't know what is going on. The worm shaft moves in and out slightly, resulting in play in the steering wheel. Is this screw-action normal or should the shaft simply rotate? Am I messing up the units by inastalling them improperly? Last one I got I tested in the store to make sure I had no screw-like action, then I install it and it's toast. Could this be problem be occurring when I tighten up the Pittman arm? I'm clueless.

Tom



kimpelt@pdx.edu

I missed any previous posts you had here.
The "screw in/out action of the worm shaft is normal when the engine is off as far as I know. This movement is what operates the valve inside to direct the oil flow. When the engine is running and the pump is pumping oil there will be much less of this movement. When you turn the steering wheel, the worm shaft threads its way in or out of the steering box, actuating the valve mechanism, which directs oil flow to move the steering piston and recenter the valve mechanism. This is how it works.

cfield@ll.net

Hi Gang,
Seems like I received some bad initial information which started me on this power steering gearbox tangent. I'm quite the newbie at all this. Craig's response is correct. The problem with my power steering was the pump, not the gearbox. Lot's of unnecessary work and $, but another lesson learned.

Thanks for all your help

Tom Kimpel "Spazus"