66 dart 270 with power steering.

So I have been dealing with real sloppy steering. To the point where it feels dangerous to drive. Through some troubleshooting I decided to replace the steering gear unit, at the same time I also checked the steering box and it was fine.
The steering is now firmer, however there is still slop meaning the wheels don't turn right away with the steering wheel. I would say I have to move steering wheel 2 inches in either direction before the wheels begin to move. Also since replacing the steering gear, my steering wheel is now cocked 10 degrees from center? not sure how that would happen, as the steering gear can only go on the shaft 1 way. and the pitman arm only goes on 1 way. There was a big piece of old bushing that fell out of the pitman arm, however.

If I am to assume that the front end needs to be rebuilt, is there a good kit out there that has all the parts? or should I just replace a few things at a time and see if it improves? This is drum brakes btw. ideas? help?

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66 dodge dart 270, 225ci, 3.7l, L6

I had similar sloppy wheel play.

Discovered that when installing steering shaft coupler guts I had rotated its entrails (both shoes) 90 degrees from correct position which gave about the two inch slop at the wheel you have.

Have a friend gently move steering wheel left and right while you look for rotational play at shaft coupler between gear shaft and steering wheel shaft. Disassembly second time around of coupler and that hardened pin will be much easer... LOL

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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

Hah. Actually I had made that error when I put it all back together, and I had about 4inches of slop. Took it apart and fixed those shoes. Now no slop from the coupler, but still 2 in slop from gear (or steering components).

thanks for the reply. Any other ideas?

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66 dodge dart 270, 225ci, 3.7l, L6

Crawl under it and look for loose connections in any of the various steering components. A little slop in each connection will add up to a lot of slop. Other than that I would suspect the new steering gear not being rebuilt correctly.


Where did you get the new gear from? Not all gear rebuilders produce a like new unit.

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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