1971 Dart Swinger Worm Gear Adjustment

Dave Haertel said
Thanks, it's probably a long shot for sure, but at this point I've sunk quite a bit into the front end already and just hoping to get it safe to drive and stem the bleeding for a little while. Then I can plan for the gearbox replacement.

I read somewhere else that 5/8 was the size and I believe I even heard that on a YouTube video somewhere as well, so I'll start there. I went out and bought a set of stubby box end wrenches so hopefully that can get me in there with enough room to get this done. I didn't want to have to unbolt the power steering lines to get this done but they were certainly in the way with a standard box end wrench.

One thing though, most tutorials I saw just said go 1/4 turn each time but you suggested tightening until it gives resistance, but what if this is more than 1/4 turn? Is it still safe to do that or should I try it in 1/4 turn stages? Also, should the car be on the ground while doing this to stop the wheels from actually turning after the adjustment has been done?

Thanks for getting back to me.

I think the quarter turn at a shot is probably to help keep someone from over doing it.
If you center the wheels and then turn it just till it stops while twisting back and forth on the steering shaft (I do things with no helper) so that's how I have always done it.
Then like I said full turns of the steering wheel, center it and do it again.
What you don't want is for it to feel like it's binding right as it crosses over the center of it's travel (somewhere about where the wheels are straight.)

Wheels off the ground is probably best so you can feel a bind easier, but I have never done it that way. (maybe because I am so familiar with doing it and what feels about right.)

Not sure if you meant the wheels turn by themselves, but if that is the case there is an adjustment for that also.
Google "Mopar wheels turn by themselves" and you will find it easy enough.