I wonder why in the FSM where they list various problems and solutions, they don't mention this? They do talk about setting the distance from the top of the steering coupler to a small index hole on the steering shaft, it's supposed to be 13/16", I loosen the steering column and pull back on the steering wheel but I can't get that distance, maybe 1/4 inch short. But this distance is somehow important in the operation of the steering gear.
Could mis-alignment of the steering column put forces on the worm gear output shaft that is causing this?
I agree that this is looking like it's the steering gear, but I thought that if you don't touch or take apart that valve body then there'd be no reason why it would get out of whack if it was working. I did unscrew the big nut-ring on the coupler end to change a seal and a big o-ring but I didn't take the worm gear out.
I've looked at a couple of Chrysler master tech video's on the steering gear, very helpful.