Power Steering Box and Steering Column Rebuild

RRChris · Apr 4, 2020

I'm considering my options with the power steering box. The input shaft has 2-3mm of axial play in it when the engine is not running. When the engine is running the play disappears, and input shaft turns seem to have no slop to the pitman arm. Is it normal to have this axial play in the steering input shaft without the power steering pump running? If not, what causes this play - poorly adjusted bearing on the input shaft? Worn recirculating ball assembly? Sector shaft is adjusted all the way down. Would prefer to purchase kit (with new bearings) and do re-build as shipping steering boxes and cores across the Pacific is very expensive and exchange rate is very unfavourable now.
Also, steering column shaft is off centre to the steering column tube. What causes this? Is there a bearing / bush at the bottom? Note coupling is tight.

493 Mike · Apr 4, 2020

Loosen the column floor plate to align the shaft and check the front to rear adjustment on the column to dash attachment, it's slotted and may be at the end of travel.
Mike

RRChris · Apr 5, 2020

493 Mike said:
Loosen the column floor plate to align the shaft and check the front to rear adjustment on the column to dash attachment, it's slotted and may be at the end of travel.
Mike

Thanks mate!! It’s amazing when you ask a dumb question how the little light can come on. I had previously loosened the floor plate but didn’t move, which had me stumped. Your answer made me realise that the column mounting screws to dash board need to be loosened to allow the bottom of the column to move. Success.Thanks!!
Hopefully someone can help me with the steering box part of the question.

steve340 · Apr 5, 2020

Some axial play that you have indicated in your picture is normal but not 2-3mm.
My ones are about 1 mm or less in/out. This is needed to tell the box which way to turn.
Start the engine and see if there is any actual play back and forwards of the wheels.
A lot of slop is not good.
Go to YouTube and search for Mopar Power steering tutorials. There are a few good ones.
There are a few factory ones that may help.
A good one is Chrysler Master Tech
Power Steering Adjustments and Checks.

RRChris · Apr 7, 2020

Thanks. The Mopar tutorials were informative. With engine running there is no play. Suggests the recirculating ball unit is OK. The 2-3mm axial play may then be the thrust bearing in the power head unit. That should be repairable with a kit.
The only significant issue going forward is the sector shaft adjusted all the way down. Not sure if new sector shaft bearings would help much.

steve340 · Apr 7, 2020

Yeah I don't think I would bother rebuilding the stock steering box unless you are a 100% original guy. If it is truly worn out replacement is about all you can do.
I think I would go to the Borgeson system they seem to work really well.
Bergman Auto Craft does a complete kit and he is good to deal with. I see you are in Aussie so I have bought stuff from Peter Bergman with no worries at all.
I have had my original boxes rebuilt here but I would not do that again in hindsight.
There is a guy over here that does the original boxes and he does a good job but it is pricey.
Our problem is the freight and tax to get something that heavy from the US.
Shipping it in is the only way.
There are companies in the US that rebuild them but they have core charges and the shipping is a killer.
Any way is expensive for us given where we live.

RRChris · Apr 8, 2020

steve340 said:
Yeah I don't think I would bother rebuilding the stock steering box unless you are a 100% original guy. If it is truly worn out replacement is about all you can do.
I think I would go to the Borgeson system they seem to work really well.
Bergman Auto Craft does a complete kit and he is good to deal with. I see you are in Aussie so I have bought stuff from Peter Bergman with no worries at all.
I have had my original boxes rebuilt here but I would not do that again in hindsight.
There is a guy over here that does the original boxes and he does a good job but it is pricey.
Our problem is the freight and tax to get something that heavy from the US.
Shipping it in is the only way.
There are companies in the US that rebuild them but they have core charges and the shipping is a killer.
Any way is expensive for us given where we live.

You're right. It's the expense between exchange rate and shipping (in particular) to get things here. That's why a rebuild kit is attractive. I'm not a 100% original guy, just trying to find the right balance on cost vs function. Who is the guy here in Aus that does the original boxes? What shipping do you use (I assume you actually mean on a ship rather than air freight)?

steve340 · Apr 8, 2020

I am in New Zealand so not much help to you contact wise. I got a power steering company in NZ to do the steering box up. It works good but it was probably cheaper to buy the Borgeson unit and I could have fitted that myself.
If your steering is OK and you have no leaks just leave it for now maybe????
If the steering box is flogged from years of operation the rebuild might not be worth it.
You sound like you may have a technical background so doing up the steering box yourself may work out OK. You can buy the rebuild kits on EBAY. I have seen the kits for around $75USD
Yes for light things I air freight but anything heavy I have a friend who brings in containers from the US so I use his service. Sea freight is slow but cheaper.

RRChris · Apr 11, 2020

Thanks for your help!!
You're right - I do have a technical background and I can be pretty tenacious to work things out.
I might have to investigate a local sea freight option for the future for other items. As you say slow, but cheaper. No problem if you plan and not in a hurry.
Good luck with things in New Zealand - nice place!!

steve340 · Apr 11, 2020

Thanks for your thoughts. Stuck at home not a lot to do.
My friend use peoples stuff as container filler - try and find someone reliable is the hard part.
You could look around for a second hand box I can't help but think yours has something missing or really worn to have 2 - 3 mm of play.
There are only two major differences - the small and large sector shaft. You probably have the small shaft one. There is plenty of info on the Internet concerning that difference.
The rebuild kits are specific.
Best of luck let me know how you get on.

Power Steering Box and Steering Column Rebuild

RRChris

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493 Mike

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steve340

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RRChris

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