1967 Dart stiff steering after replacing Idler Arm

Dana67Dart said

Well I lifted the front and was able to rotate the steering system lock to lock and the only resistance was at center. Steering gear might be a bit too tight at center. Did notice that at either lock the steering shaft had what I believe to be excessive play. the shaft would move laterally in the housing when near the lock and the wheel were rocked back and forth.

Click to expand...

In and out is kindof normal; radial is not.
The first couple of degrees just activate the control valve by pushing it left or right to get boost happening. If you have tightness on center then boost happens sooner and harder. Tightness on center is bad; it will cause you to chase the steering all over the road and you will think it's looseness, when it is just overly sensitive to boost.