1973 RR steering locked up???

[Joe Palmer]

OK, here's a new one to me. Went to move my son's '73 Road Runner back down to the barn to install the headliner Saturday. There's is no motor/trans in the car currently, but we have been moving the car around. I turned the wheels to the right about 1/2 way exit the carport with no issues, As I went to turn the other way the steering just locked (like the key was turned off). I checked shift linkage, key, disconnected steering column, and the center link off the pitman arm. After that I removed the valve off the top of the box and pulled the spring and adjustor out. This thing will not turn....What did I do...car is stuck with wheels in the position in the photo...

Any ideas?

 

[YY1]

I had a 1980 truck steering box (very similar) get stuck a few times and then something inside broke.

I had to replace the box.

 

[Ray70Chrg]

If you have disconnected the pitman arm from the center link, then the steering box and steering column have nothing to do with the movement of the front tires any longer. I would jack up the front end to get the tires off the ground and figure out why the front wheels are not free to move side to side.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

So if I’m reading this correctly you have disconnected the steering column from the box and the center link from the pitman arm and you still can’t get the box to turn ?
Not sure it matters but is this a manual or power steering box ?
Sounds like something stuck or froze up in the box.

 

[Ray70Chrg]

What did I do...car is stuck with wheels in the position in the photo...

Any ideas?

Maybe I misunderstood the last sentence. I took it to mean the wheels were locked in place. Good luck.

 

[Joe Palmer]

So if I’m reading this correctly you have disconnected the steering column from the box and the center link from the pitman arm and you still can’t get the box to turn ?
Not sure it matters but is this a manual or power steering box ?
Sounds like something stuck or froze up in the box.

That is correct, it moves back and forth about a 1/16 of an inch. Like something inside has jammed it. Everything disconnected, wheels move freely.

Looks like I'm going inside it!