Steering Issue

[Uncle Mike]

We installed a power steering unit and had the front end rebuilt and then aligned twice by two different companies. As you drive it down the road it wants to pull you to the left or right. It's extremely noticeable in a corner. We took off the belt to the power steering unit to eliminate the power steering thinking that might be it, but it still continues to do it. Super high pucker factor! Any ideas?

[Uncle Mike]

It straight lines good but when you start to turn, it feels like the steering pressure falls off and then when we try to correct, it wants to shoot off to the opposing side.

[Captainfab]

Are the box and pump used or new/rebuilt? Do you have it plumbed correctly?

[Uncle Mike]

We put a new steering gearbox and pump in it and then took it in to get a front end alignment where the mechanic adjusted the box. A different mechanic said it should be kept at manufacturer specifications so we replaced it with another one. We still have the same problem. What do you mean about being plumbed correctly?

[andyh1956]

If you are talking about adjusting the screw at the top of the box that moves the sector gear up & down confirm with your mechanic that he made the adjustment correctly.
Thus: When adjusting the backlash on the sector to worm on recirculating ball assy the backlash must be checked by moving steering arm back & forth (This requires removal of the steering linkage from the arm) and NOT rotating the input shaft!
Also the adjustment must be made with the wheels & box in the "Straight Ahead" position.
Your problem sounds like the classic mis-adjusted steering box.

[Captainfab]

What I mean, is do you have the pressure hose connected to the correct port on the steering box?

Originally Posted by Uncle Mike

We put a new steering gearbox and pump in it and then took it in to get a front end alignment where the mechanic adjusted the box. A different mechanic said it should be kept at manufacturer specifications so we replaced it with another one. We still have the same problem. What do you mean about being plumbed correctly?

[Uncle Mike]

Figured out what the issue was. It was the Power Steering Gearbox. We ended up going through two different Napa gearboxes and found out that the shaft that connected to the pitman arm had up to a 1/4 inch of slop when we turned the wheel. We ended up buying a Redhead Steering Gearbox and that solved that problem.

[Captainfab]

Glad to hear you solved the issue. It sounds like Napa is having some quality control issues.