Steering Gear Box Play

[darc1722]

I have a 1969 satellite 318 with power steering. How much play should I have where the coupler goes in to the gear box, with the engine off. The steering shaft into the coupler is tight, but when holding the coupler I can get about an inch of play when rotating. Is the gear box the cause, where's the best place to get a rebuilt one? Thanks

 

[TommyShameless1978]

I have the exact same problem with mine, under the exact same circumstances. I am prowling the forums rught now trying to find the answer!

 

[Satellite65]

The 'play' you're refering to may not be play at all. The power steering gear box has a shuttle valve inside of it to direct the oil pressure one way or the other. With the engine off there's nothing to move the sector so you see the steering shaft movement as play. If the coupler itself is fine, try it with the engine running. The tires should start to turn as soon as you move the steering wheel.

Stock Chrysler boxes are over-assisted and always feel a bit on the sloppy side.

 

[TommyShameless1978]

Thanks! That's a bit of a relief to know...I am repairing the car after a bad accident and wasn't sure why the steering box was doing that. I wasn't sure if it had been damaged in the crash somehow.

 

[SureGrip]

Check to see if you can find the Mopar Action online articles. they have a handful that deal specifically with these issues and how to PROPERLY fix them.

 

[696969]

The 'play' you're refering to may not be play at all. The power steering gear box has a shuttle valve inside of it to direct the oil pressure one way or the other. With the engine off there's nothing to move the sector so you see the steering shaft movement as play. If the coupler itself is fine, try it with the engine running. The tires should start to turn as soon as you move the steering wheel.

Stock Chrysler boxes are over-assisted and always feel a bit on the sloppy side.

Is there a remedy for the "sloppyness"?

 

[Dennis H]

Firm Feel.

 

[BeastlyBirdie]

You should read the articles on mopar action. They have one on lowering the pressure, which is more of what most ppl feel, anyway. I thought I had a bad box on my W300, then realized I could turn the wheel with my pinky finger while at a stop. Lowered the pressure, didn't find myself chasing the wheel down the road. Not to say a firm feel isn't an improvement....just fix the pressure first, as its much quicker and cheaper. Then decide if you need a tighter box.

 

[5.7 hemi]

A tighter box is always proffered, lol!!!

 

[fmontez1]

A tighter box is always proffered, lol!!!

A sloppy loose box can be good on a dirt road if the moon is right. Hahaha
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