Annoying steering issue

[Varment]

I just got my '68 Valiant back on the road with a new 318 in it and before that it was sitting in my garage out of the elements for almost 4 years. Now, I know in 4 years a lot of stuff is going to set up and get stiff but I have been driving the car for a few days now and my steering is so stiff it's a workout to drive.

At first I summed it up to not being used to manual steering, but I don't ever remember the car being so hard to steer. Then, I decided to get under the front end and grease up every part I could possibly find with a grease nipple attached to it...still no fix.

I've never dealt with a stiff steering issue before and other than greasing stuff up I don't know where to begin. Any comments will help.

Thanks,
Varment

 

[67Dart273]

Tire pressure?

Has front end alignment, or even tires been changed?

Did you change suspension height, IE "hack up" the rear?

Binding in the column?

Any lube in the box? (multi purpose SAE 90)

 

[Varment]

Tires are good and no modifications to the suspension (fully stock)...I put new brakes on the front end but it was occurring before that fix.

How do I go about checking for bindings in the column and I will have to lubricate the box to rule that out too.

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[67Dart273]

You have a shop manual? You can download the 66 manual posted in the abodyjoe thread

 

[Varment]

I do not but I will look into that!

Thanks,
Varment

 

[Jim Lusk]

Make sure that the front end is not sitting on the LCA bumpers. This makes manual steering much tougher.