The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Hello, on driving my 73 with P/steering, i have found rather excessive play. When the engine is off (or running for that matter too) and feeling the steering column input shaft, there is a lot of loose slack turning it , maybe about 5-7 degrees, when holding and rotating the column shaft with fingers and thumb. I have tried adjusting the sector shaft nut by exactly following the manual (which is the same as the Sticky theory given above). However i found it to be adjusted up tight. I also found no backlash at all in the steering gear arm (Pitman Arm) when it was backed off, as described in the manual.

Does anyone know where this input shaft play come from? and how it can be gotten rid of? Or is it just normal wear, and indicates the box is worn?

Thanks for help

When I did mine it was exactly as it was in the manual (and the instructions posted on here).

It has to be done with the engine running and you have to make sure the steering is exactly centered in the box (despite how the steering wheel looks). Then the valve adjusted so that there is no "kick" in the steering when the engine is started and the wheels are off the gound.

Only after that can you adjust the pitman arm to remove play. If yours is not adjusting as it should I suspect it well be worn.

is the steering coupler in good shape? some times they show alot of wear, you need 2 people to see it have someone turn the steering wheel and watch to see what is loose.

Thanks, not sure about the coupler. I had it off and cleaned and inspected it and put it back together. I think it's fine though. I can see the play because i turn the shaft after the coupler. At the box side of it. And i can see the shaft is moving and the steering linkage is not doing anything. I will try adjusting it again by the sector shaft nut adjuster. Except fluid leaks out while itis running. I assume this is normal once the nut is backed off and there is pressure there.