Steering problem

[Piston_Freddy]

When I turn the wheels all the way out and want to start turning them to the other side, then the steering locks up for a second. Is this normal?  '68 with a power steering.

[Kern Dog]

Lots of things could be to blame, but I'd first suspect the pump. Maybe the belt is slipping.

[Piston_Freddy]

Thanks! will check the belt.

[Kern Dog]

Mopar Action magazine had a tech question in a magazine a few years back. This VERY subject was covered. Rick responded to a reader that the pump will sometimes have a hiccup and temporarily lose boost pressure. P/S pumps operate from 700 to 1300 PSI depending on the required demands. I had a crappy old Chevy truck that had intermittent power steering. It would get notchy when the pump got too hot.

[Piston_Freddy]

It's pretty scary to drive with a steering like this! The steering unfreezes just before I hit a curb or something.Driving a slalom would be impossible.So a steering box can't be a cause of this? Only pump? Should I try and rebuilt the pump or get a different pump? Maybe get a pump on a newer vehicle or something? 

[Piston_Freddy]

No one knows huh?

There is a pump shaft play also. Here's the ling to the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQyJElLS6Ew

Normal? Not normal?

[68 RT]

I would replace the pump. Does it only happen when going to full lock? I would also check for steering likage bind.

[Piston_Freddy]

I would replace the pump. Does it only happen when going to full lock? I would also check for steering likage bind.

Yes, it only freezes when its fully turned(doesn't matter which side)and I try to turn the wheels straight again.If I turn the steering wheels slowly, then it wont freeze.I'm sure that its not linkage bind, although there was rubbing before I bent the idler arm.Linkage is still closer to the torsion bar on the passenger side, but I'm sure that's not the problem.
 




What kind of pump I have? Will some 80's or 90's vehicle have the pump I need?

[Paul G]

Yes, it only freezes when its fully turned(doesn't matter which side)and I try to turn the wheels straight again.If I turn the steering wheels slowly, then it wont freeze.I'm sure that its not linkage bind, although there was rubbing before I bent the idler arm.Linkage is still closer to the torsion bar on the passenger side, but I'm sure that's not the problem.
 

What do you mean "although there was rubbing before I bent the idler arm" .

[Piston_Freddy]

Yes, it only freezes when its fully turned(doesn't matter which side)and I try to turn the wheels straight again.If I turn the steering wheels slowly, then it wont freeze.I'm sure that its not linkage bind, although there was rubbing before I bent the idler arm.Linkage is still closer to the torsion bar on the passenger side, but I'm sure that's not the problem.
 

What do you mean "although there was rubbing before I bent the idler arm" .

Tie rod was rubbing against torsion bar on the passenger side, I had to take a long crow bar and bent the idler arm.I think that the K-frame bracket, that holds the idler arm is bent.

[Paul G]

The pump could be in question, but you really need to get the steering, K frame issue resolved first. Things like the K frame itself might be moving around, cracked, bent, loose or something like. If you had to use a crow bar to get a tie rod away from the torsion bar you really need to investigate why.

[tan top]

i cant save your pictures so can not  arrow the area i'm talking about , !  but

your  third  picture from the bottom  ( driver side), looks like the pitman arm & inner tie rod end (might )could be   hitting (rubbing
rubbing / jamming) one of the header primary tubes ! its dented !
 jack the car up & put it on jack stands under the front control arms  , get a helper to turn the wheel , while having a look ! ,

[Piston_Freddy]

The pump could be in question, but you really need to get the steering, K frame issue resolved first. Things like the K frame itself might be moving around, cracked, bent, loose or something like. If you had to use a crow bar to get a tie rod away from the torsion bar you really need to investigate why.

Yep, I'm gonna get the tie rod and torsion bar issue solved first and then I'll look whats with the pump.

i cant save your pictures so can not  arrow the area i'm talking about , !  but

your  third  picture from the bottom  ( driver side), looks like the pitman arm & inner tie rod end (might )could be   hitting (rubbing
rubbing / jamming) one of the header primary tubes ! its dented !
 jack the car up & put it on jack stands under the front control arms  , get a helper to turn the wheel , while having a look ! ,

I get what you mean tan top! I looked up and the driver side tie rod won't rub against header or torsion bar.Only passenger side is rubbing and there are rubbing marks on the oil pan too.

You can see from this pic that the tie rod is more upwards on the passenger side and I think I see oil pan rubbing mark.




I guess I just have to bent the idler arm bracket more, to clear everything.Might have been hit on that place or something.  

Will all PS pumps bolt on to that stock bracket I have right now? I think that's a TRW pump I have right now?

[Paul G]

Are you sure you have the correct idler arm installed on the car? I would double check that.

[Piston_Freddy]

Are you sure you have the correct idler arm installed on the car? I would double check that.

I have no idea. Maybe someone can tell by the photos?

Idler arm

 

Pitman arm  

[terrible one]

Yep, your idler arm looks wrong to me, I think that's the culprit. Mine looks like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Steering-Idler-Arm-68-69-70-Dodge-Coronet-Charger-NEW-/200623396775?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb61617a7 , which drops down more and is straight instead of bending toward the passenger side at the end like yours does.

[Piston_Freddy]

Yep, your idler arm looks wrong to me, I think that's the culprit. Mine looks like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Steering-Idler-Arm-68-69-70-Dodge-Coronet-Charger-NEW-/200623396775?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb61617a7 , which drops down more and is straight instead of bending toward the passenger side at the end like yours does.

Thanks terrible one! Yep, that matches with the pitman arm shape. Looks like I have another wrong part on my car.

[Tilar]

So a steering box can't be a cause of this?

The steering box can absolutely be the cause of this... among other things already mentioned. The problem that generally causes the steering box to lock up is when someone tries to over tighten the adjustment on the box. Lossen the jam nut and back off the center bolt 1/4 turn and see if it helps.