How to change seering box? 73 charger

[euroZ06]

Hello,

And again im looking for a diy. I think my steering box is leaking, and in general my steering feels vague when i drive. I had a brand new steering box that came with the car, so im considering swapping it. How difficult is it? What steps need to be done? In one thread (68 model), guy said he undid the batter holder, lower radiator hose and was able to pull it out. Id rather not touch the headers, they are always a pain to install back. Car has a 440 and aftermarket headers.

Any tricks?

[Pete in NH]

Hi,

The vague feel and lack of "road feedback" is typical of Chrysler's full time power steering. That's the way these cars were back then. As to leaks and what it would take to remove the steering box in your 73 with headers, I really don't know. On my 71 I suspect it would be easier to drop it out the bottom but I don't have headers in the way.

[Highbanked Hauler]

mine is a 69 but I take the battery out and the bolts out of the motor mounts and unbolt the fan shroud and put a short 2X4 on the floor jack and lift the motor up to get extra room . I haven't taken mine out the top but with the battery tray and PS pump out it might work. At minimum you will need a pitman arm puller,most parts stores have them and if your steering linkage is worn now would be the time to replace it.  The roll pin at the connector needs to be driven out or drilled out if it is frozen. Probably need to take the column out or at least slid back for clearance. Maybe a better way but that's what I do.

[1973rallye]

Before you start pulling off your steering box have a look at the steering coupler isolator (rag joint) it is a rubber piece that if original may be in 2 or 3 pieces and will definitely affect your steering. It is housed in the soup can looking sleeve just up from the steering box.
On the topic of replacing your steering box, I was able to do mine just by dropping the centre link and pulling it out the bottom of the car. Hope this helps. 

[flyinlow]

I have headers on my 73 but they where off when I switched to steering box out. My Hedmans are clearanced slightly on tubes 3 and 5 . Would be very tight with the headers in place. If you are going to reuse the pitman arm you might want to remove it with the steering box still bolted to the car. Took almost breaking the puller , judicious heat application and tapping with a hammer to pop mine. Soak with rust buster the day before.

Check steering linkage , rag joint and the slip joint for wear before starting.