'64 B body steering

OK guys this is strange-the '64 dodge had minor? steering issues, OK its 54 years old,why not. the first thing noticed is the steering box is way loose worn, thesteering wheel turns1/4 before the wheels notice. I got a NEW steering gear (manual) and got it in, when under the car noted the tie rod was rubbing the pan severely wrong pan.I had another with shallower sump and changed them. when I put the tie rod back on -the tie rod locks up and wont allow the car to turn (still on jacks) I have narrowed this down to the idler when everything is normal and looking level, the threaded taper connector on the idler is 3/4" away from the tie rod. when I force them together- that locks the steering?? wrong Idler? I don't know how the car could have wandered before and now the steering is locked up.any ideas?

geri do the measurement on the idler see whats up with that for sure. if it wasn't locking up before it has to be something you just installed. someone could have sent you the wrong parts. good luck

bearman said:

geri do the measurement on the idler see whats up with that for sure. if it wasn't locking up before it has to be something you just installed. someone could have sent you the wrong parts. good luck

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thank for the note- only new part is the steering box itself which measures same as the old one.I can't say for sure if the stiffness was present before as the wheels are hard to turn left and right when not attached to drag link assembly. it appears to have new ball joints but I've never seen one so hard to turn,I'll have the ball joints replaced, some things out of my area of expertise,or desire.
update--
last night- about 11PM I started thinking - because the drag link assemble was lower than it should be the idler appeared to be at proper height- the problem had to be in the linkage from steering box (pitman arm)? I went back to work on it at 11:30 and removed all linkage to seperate the individual linkage pieces including the steering box linkage arm. starting there I installed the pitman linkage? the idler and put the tie rod on and- it's now normal?? there had to be an issue in the linkage between the steering arm and the first connection to the drag link- either way it is now about 80% re installed, and 2:30 in the morning. I cannot identify the exact cause although I know where the issue had to be, I'm satisfied its fixed. I wrote this mail this AM, either way thank for the input a mystery solved without seeing the evidence, that will haunt me a bit.

glad you got it solved. I was thinking either the idler joint was binding somehow when you put it back together or the pitman arm was installed with the steering box shaft turned too far (360 degrees out) instead of in the middle if that makes any sense.

Glenwood said:

glad you got it solved. I was thinking either the idler joint was binding somehow when you put it back together or the pitman arm was installed with the steering box shaft turned too far (360 degrees out) instead of in the middle if that makes any sense.

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I had checked the pitman arm alignment several times, to make sure I indexed it right.
it appears the problem was in the only tie rod taper stud rod end I had not removed from the tie rod.

geri, happy to hear it good to go. sometimes the best thing to do is walk away and then come back to it.

bearman said:

geri, happy to hear it good to go. sometimes the best thing to do is walk away and then come back to it.

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Me too even if it came to me near midnight,I learned a few more things- the torsion bars were adjusted so tight- with the car on stands -wheels off the ground it stressed the ball joints to the point that was what made them feel like they were in a bind- the adjusters had not been moved in ?? years rusted and painted over took an hour to remove- but I got them, once that tension off they felt perfect-(they appear new) so now I'm enthused again to get through this, its going well.-now. my only issue is age and arthritis- ugh. thanks for the thoughts reading all keeps me focused on an answer.