Something "CATCHING" Down the Steering Column

[soonercruiser]

NEXT-LAST PROBLEM for my 67 Barracuda: Steering column seems to "catch" momentarily while turning a very slow speeds!

"Feels" like it's some linkage way down the column.
Catches momentarily when turning at very low speeds.
NEVER felt it zooming on the highway.
Any thoughts?? Linkage? Steering gear/box? Something loose?
We will get it up on the rack this Thursday to look for any interferences in the front end.

 

[Projectile Dart]

Does it catch shortly after you begin turning in either direction? Or does it feel like a singular spot every 360* of the wheel turning
If you can't physically see it hitting something in the engine compartment my first guess would be that one of your lower ball joints in the steering linkage (1 ball joint per wheel and 1 joint at pitman arm and 1 joint at idler arm) is loose and as you turn from side to side it's shifting around in its socket.
I'm just shooting in the dark though without any more information

 

[1969383S]

Yes More info needed for sure! Many things could be causing this issue you are describing!

 

[Kendog 170]

If your box play is over adjusted you will get a bump or catch feeling at about center (wheels straight). As said could be a few things. I once had a cotter pin do that as well.

 

[burdar]

Is there a bearing on the bottom of the steering column?

 

[Oldmanmopar]

Usually the stud on the pitman arm hits the exhaust pipe on pre 73 cars from the engine sagging due to bad mounts.

Also Steering boxes have a high spot in the center of the sector shaft as mentioned so when going straight the car does not wonder. If the adjustment was tightened when the box shaft was not centered it will bind every time you steer past center because it was tightened on a low side.

It is important to check and see where the steering wheel is when it binds. That will help determine the cause. After you find that position put the steering wheel at that position and look to see if the pitman arm stud is directly under the exhaust pipe.

Look at the pipe for a rub mark. It will rub more in reverse or neutral then forward .Due to engine lifting when the torque of the engine lifts it on the left side off of the pipe going forward.

In 1973 they change this design and faced the stud down because of this bind.

Most headers designed today are for use with the 73 -76 style due to this issue. My Hooker 2 inch race headers hit so I moved a tube just to find out when I installed the later center link and arms it was not necessary.

 

[Murray]

Could be the coupler.

 

[Kendog 170]

Post#6 especially this.

It is important to check and see where the steering wheel is when it binds. That will help determine the cause. After you find that position put the steering wheel at that position and look to see if the pitman arm stud is directly under the exhaust pipe.

 

[soonercruiser]

Dodged another bullet!

Turns out that the driver's side steering gear attachment bolt below the steering gear was loose, allowing "play"
No more "catch", and the steering is much less sloppy!

 

[Ragmanx]

1964 Dart GT convertible, slant six. The the 3 on tree shifter was really was loose as a goose, and the entire column would move up and down about 1'. Also there was too much play in the steering wheel left to right.

I consulted my '64 Dart Technical Service Manual and found how to address all the wear issues.

Within an hour, and few adjustments cured all of these wear problems! It was simpler than I could imagine to see how all these adjustments work by studying a few steps and make the adjustments to the steering box and the shifter arms without removing any components, right from the engine bay.

Because of my lack of writting skills, I will not attempt to describe what I did in this post. would most likley confuse most folks, including myself!
I can only suggest that you get this manual. It covers most components, simple or complex.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Hope this helps someone.