How do you test a power steering chuck/box

[Trojmn]

Ive just got my K frame back together and installed last week. I even autox'd 90Miles away over the weekend. All steering linkage and front end components are new or nearly new. The only unknown in the front suspension/steering is the power steering chuck. It actually goes down the road rather well/strait. however steering will sometime feel "notchy" during turns.

The current state:

• engine OFF steering wheel is very loose/sloppy. I can move move the wheel 20 degrees or more without any resistance or the tire moving
• engine ON, the slightest movement of the wheel twitches the tire.
• P/S is either overboosted in the center or is firm to notchy feeling just off center in either direction.
• it tracks down the road well without wondering relaxed fingertip highway cruising dead/notchy feel is during turns

So is that "normal" to have so much slop with the engine off but completly responsive with the engine on? overboosted/numb on center feel but "Notchy" feeling SOMETIMES turning?

thanks!

Ben

 

[4spdragtop]

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[daliant]

The slop you feel with the engine not running is about normal for mopar power steering boxes of that era. You can adjust the pressure coming out of the P/S pump to get rid of the over boosted feel.
here's a link that shows how:
[ame]http://www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf[/ame]

The notchy feeling when turning could also be a bump steer or alignment issue.