power steering question

[Sedanman]

How much steering wheel play should there be side to side? I have about 3"

 

[Robbie2734]

That's a little too much, have you checked to see if it's the box or linkage?

 

[Sedanman]

not yet,I just got it fired up after 3 years. Does it adjust like a manual box?

 

[6pk2goDemon]

The steering wheel play should be checked with the car running if it has PS....

Are the front end components new ?

 

[Sedanman]

yep brand new. I would think the true amount of play would be more noticeable non running since their is no assist.

 

[6pk2goDemon]

Yes, The play is always more noticeable when not running on a PS car, but truly should be checked running while under pressure from the pump....

 

[Sedanman]

My 94 Ram Van has less play than my Valiant when not running. So how do I determine what is the proper amount of freeplay?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Do NOT try to adjust 3" of play out with the gearbox. You need to inspect the steering linkage first for any bad parts. No way in the world will you ever adjust 3" out with the gearbox.

 

[Sedanman]

I'll double check it tomorrow. I could be off. The whole suspension is new. The box and pump is not.

 

[AJ/FormS]

Almost sounds like the shoes in your steering coupler are in sideways.
They fit two ways, but only one way is right.
But yes, with P/S, the engine needs to be running.

 

[Sedanman]

Nah,I rebuilt the coupler

 

[AJ/FormS]

Inside the box, and between the power-piston and the coupler are a couple of large discs(about 3.5 inches in dia). These are reaction discs. They are available separately, and IIRC in various thicknesses.Anyway these discs are on either side of a large spacer that is coupled to the reaction lever, which is coupled to the spool valve, which decides when, and how much,assist to give. Now this large spacer with it's springy reaction discs moves back and forth a little in the performing of it's job. When the engine is running,and the pump is flowing, you don't normally feel this play, cuz the powerpiston translates the motion almost instantly to steering motion. But when the pump is not flowing, you can feel the reaction disc motion, and interpret it as steering wheel excessive motion. The fact is,you can tighten that up by installing additional discs, which will increase the amount of arm-effort it takes to initiate boost assist, and makes turning a little harder. But Mopar boxes are traditionally way over-assisted in the first place, so when I installed 2 or 3 extra discs in mine, it was much more pleasant to drive, even with my very small diameter steering wheel. Some play in this assembly has to remain to activate the spool valve, or your P/S box would behave like a manual box, except because of the drastic ratio difference, steering effort goes up dramatically. Most guys won't get into the P/S box. I don't know why that is.....It's not rocket-science.

 

[Sedanman]

running it has about 1/2 of play

 

[6pk2goDemon]

^ ^ ^ Great....I wouldn't touch it until you drive it now.

 

[Sedanman]

I finally got all of the air bubbles out too.