Need help steering box? Car out of commission
Have you tried to adjust the "worm gear"?
I have adjusted a few boxes on other makes, I beleive mopar would be the same. With the bolt on the top. Loosen the nut and turn the center bolt in. You usually can take out most of the play. If not check the bolt for wear and replace if necessary.
Of course these adjustments are good only if your box is mounted securely.
Procedure for adjusting the box. It will give you an idea if it is the problem.
The general adjustment procedure for any recirculating-ball steering gear is:
1. Center the steering.
2. Loosen the sector shaft adjuster 1-2 turns and snug the locknut.
3. Loosen the input shaft adjuster locknut.
4. While rocking the input shaft by hand, tighten the input shaft adjuster until all of the axial backlash disappears.
5. Tighten the input shaft adjuster locknut while holding the adjuster in position.
6. Loosen the sector shaft locknut 3-4 turns.
7. While rocking the input shaft by hand, tighten the sector shaft adjuster until the backlash *just* disappears. To be safe, leave a tiny amount of backlash.
8. Tighten the sector shaft adjuster locknut while holding the adjuster in position.
9. Check the backlash throughout the full steering range. You can do this with the wheels lifted off the ground and rocking the input shaft while feeling for movement in the sector shaft. There should be only slight backlash at most. If there is more, the sector shaft bearings and/or ballscrew mechanism may be worn.
This procedure works regardless of manual or power assist, or brand. When working with a power steering gear, be careful to feel for the mechanical backlash, and ignore the movement of the valve mechanism (which has a "springy" feel, as opposed to the "solid" feel of the gear backlash).
Try the adjustment procedure before removing or condemning the steering gear. You could save yourself a lot of work and expense.
