Reman power steering box, turn left/right not the same

[Paul G]

This is a reman box from Advance Auto Parts for the 73 Charger. Box doesnt leak which is good, and box is tight on center which is good. Problem is when turning left much more effort is required than turning right. Wheel wont return to center from a right turn, but will return to center from a left turn.

Is this a valve body centering issue?   

[John_Kunkel]

Is this with the car on the ground or suspended? Check the valve body centering with the front wheels suspended.

[Paul G]

This is driving the car on the road.

[John_Kunkel]

Jack the front clear of the ground and start the motor. If it self-steers in one direction, the valve needs to be adjusted.

[Paul G]

I removed the Pittman arm off the sector shaft, then started the car and turned the steering wheel left and right. Still very stiff, and requiring more effort than I would consider normal for moving just the steering box with nothing connected to the sector shaft. And, still harder to turn left than it is right. Tells me the problem is in the box.

Tried starting the car and watching the steering wheel for movement, it did not move. I think the screw shaft adjustment is just to tight contributing to it's failure to center the wheels after a turn. Backed off the screw shaft adjuster 3/4 turn. Now when starting the car the steering wheel did slightly move right, every time the engine is started.

I marked the position of the spool valve, then backed off the spool valve bolts, tapped it forward very slightly, tightened the bolts back down. Now when starting the engine the steering wheel did not move.

Test drive, problem solved. It has equal effort when turning left or right, the steering wheel will center itself to about 1/2 turn from straight ahead in each direction.

Thanks for the help.    

[c00nhunterjoe]