Is my steering on max adjust ?

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Sat Aug 12, 06 12:40 pm

68 Charger. Power steering.

Grey day here - perfect for getting on with some of those odds'n'sods jobs on the charger...

Have follwed the power steering box adjust instructions (courtesy of dave on a previous thread) and checked against the service manual.

Essentially I have reached max adjust (loosen lock nut, screw now wound in to the max). Yes the engine was running, yes I've done the lock nut up ! Still got some play in there (and a bit of a fluid leak as well I notice).

Is that it ? Is there anything obvious I have missed ? Does that essentially mean it is new steering box time ? (might be best anyway given that it is leaking and has lots of play in it). It feels marginally better than before (10 mins of play has become about 5) but I'd like it better....

Any thoughts gratefully received.... ta.

Ashley · Post by **Ashley** » Sat Aug 12, 06 2:06 pm

you'll never get all the free play out of it fella, i have a fully rebuilt one in mine, and its still got some play in it

Just face it these box's are poo

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Aug 14, 06 12:22 am

Hi Morgan,the slightest turn of the steering on my charger moves the road wheels,maybe I have a super dooper rebuilt box.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Mon Aug 14, 06 8:22 am

Thanks chaps....

Will have to put some miles on her (waiting for tyres at mo so car off road

) and make a decision from there. Guess if Adam has zero play then it is possible...

PS - Adam - thought you were rplying to offer me your engine after my fab idea for your hemi ! http://www.mopartalk.co.uk/mopartalk/vi ... php?t=9099

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Aug 14, 06 10:59 am

It wasn't until I went to manual steering that I got steering I was happy with.
This was after trying a new rebuilt "firm feel" unit as well.

It is very heavy to manover because of the wide front tyres and it is a faster than stock steering ratio but on the road it feels great with lots of road feel.

Before I took the Chally off the road there was a bit of play coming back into the box but the other day I found the mounting bolts had somehow come loose and the box was twisting from side to side!

That would explain that then.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Sat Aug 19, 06 7:11 pm

My manual box seems to have play in it, is it advisable to try and adjust the box at all, im a bit wary of doing some damage ??

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Aug 19, 06 8:54 pm

They adjust up OK. No problem. Can't remember how exactly off the top of my head.

One thing that seems common. The mounting bolts come loose. Seen two like this within a week. So check those first.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Sun Aug 20, 06 12:10 am

Yep had that problem just before the Nats...so they are tight, just not sure about the adjustment side of it.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sun Aug 20, 06 8:45 am

I don't remember going to all this bother with torque wrenches but here is the adjustment proceedure. I think I just did it by "feel".

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Sun Aug 20, 06 11:03 am

Thank s Dave