68 Barracuda Manual Steering Box
I spun the input on mine, it is much harder to spin near the center and gets easier the closer I get to the lock, which i thought was strange. I had my column out at the time so I slid the steering coupler on to make sure it fit, since the last one was a nightmare to install. It was pretty hard to get on all the way, and needed a couple love taps with a mallet. Well, apparently that was a mistake because now I can't get the coupler back off. I guess I'll be leaving it on and assuming the coupler while I install the column. Should make crimping the seal plate on real fun.
Its supposed to be stiff in the middle.
its supposed to get easier towards each lock.
This is a designed-in, but unavoidable feature of the box design.
Stiff in the middle, but not so stiff that you can feel it at the edge of a massive mopar steering wheel.
In fact too stiff with modern lube is probably better than too sloppy. too sloppy and the teeth on sector and ballnut chatter as you drive straight ahead, which wears both out... Not good.
The coupler has a double width spline in 1 place.
The input spline on the box may or maynot have a double width one...
New wormscrew and ballnut assemblies do not have the double spline or master spline as it is refered to in the service book.
A new steering box may, or it might not have this, double spline. you would have to ask the seller.
If you fitted your coupler, and there was no master spline on the splined end of the worm screw then that is why it was so hard to fit and won't come off.
for installation you centre the steering. i.e inner track rod ends equidistsant from frame on each side. find somethig that fits the gap and compare side to side, snap gauge etc
You centre your steering wheel.
You centre the steering box (master spline on sector shaft aligned with case seam, when input is in stiff section)
Then you look where the master spline for the pot coupler should be on your new steering box input when compared with the coupler
and you use a small grinding disc to grind 1 spline peak off the worms crew spline, so that that section acts as your master spline.
then the coupler goes on with the lightest of taps.
if the steering wheel is slightly offset. take it off and move it 1 spline at the top of the column. (if you have a full splined column and crush can....! )
OR just put it all together the way it fits if your steering box has a master spline on the worm shaft, but keep in mind Steering Box and steering must still be centred first.
sort out orientation of steering wheel last
2 ways to skin this cat
The first way for a steering box with no input master spline
The second when catering for an already cut master spline which may not be where you want it leaving your steering wheel off centre
Dave
