Tight Power Steering

[VA79ta]

So I'm having an issue with my power steering. I thought the gear was going bad and swapped it out, but there was no change. I have slop in the steering wheel, and making the adjustment on the worm gear does nothing for that. I can see the column moves as it should going into the gear. I did some measuring and there is a little more than 1.5" of travel before the wheel move in any direction.

2nd issue is that it is tight when steering left. There is almost no effort needed to go right, but when trying to bring the wheel back, added muscle is needed. I looked under the car and can not find anything binding when turning left. My only thinking on this is the pump is going out. Fluid level is where it needs to be. This one is baffling me.

Thanks

[5th T/A]

I would suggest jacking the front end up and safely putting the car on Jack stands or better yet the front wheels on crates. Have someone wiggle the steering wheel back and forth through the 1.5” of travel while you look underneath at the steering linkage. Look at both ends of the tie rods, the center drag link, the idler arm and pitman arm for any slop. It’s possible you have more than one worn part. The steering rag joint might also be worn. It is the part that connects the gearbox to the steering shaft, usually covered by a plastic housing.

The tight steering issue may not be related. Make sure fluid is up to the proper level. If you have to add fluid, run the engine and turn the wheel lock to lock at least half a dozen times.

[Bluebandit]

While you have it up on stands start the engine and see if the wheel will turn to the left by itself.