Steering will not recenter. Why?

[porkchop]

What can cause this to happen. It is kinda dangerous driving down the street. I have to fight with the wheel the whole time. If I go over a bump the wheel will continue to go in that direction until I jerk it back and then it will go that way until I jerk it back and then.........I think you get the idea. What causes this? I need to get it fixed this weekend. Thanks guys. :D

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I forget what the valve is called but it is in the steering box. It allows pressure in the direction of steering to assist in turning, thus power steering. However it does stick once in a while, I never ever fixed one as I just change the box. I had one that would turn right all by itself. Start up the engine and the steering wheel would start turning by itself. It was great for right turns, but sure never wanted to let go of the wheel going down the road. :D

[64Trvlr]

Another quick cheap thing to check is the toe in. It takes about 2 mins and all you need is a tape measure. Have you ever put it on an alignment machine?
:cool:

[andy d]

hows the air pressure in the tires? hows the alignment? are the u-joints in the steering column binding? my wag was a lot worse than it is now. greasing the tie rods helped a lot. iirc there were posts regarding the steerin damper piston. also if you have a lift kit and soa, it could have something to do with those mods.

[jeepbob]

How much caster do you have? If you do not have enough the wheels will not self center. You may need to install a caster shim. Also check your steering stabilizer (if you have one) for binding.

[porkchop]

This just started recently. So It has nothing to do with the SOA or any of the other mods. The tire pressure is good. I have dual steering stabilizers.

I am thinking about pulling the steering box tomorrow. You can rebuild them right?

[BigStupid]

Nice rear windows :D :D :D

[Crazy_Jeepman]

There is a kit available, however I think it is just a seal kit. The valve that will be causing you trouble is the spool valve. I do not know if they just get dirty and quit working or actualy wear out. Like I said I never pulled a steering box apart to fix it, I just swap it for another. Of course it helps when I have a about a dozen of them around. :D

[porkchop]

I have another one in the garage but it is from an 83 and the fittings on the lines do not match. So the 79 lines will not fit it. I am going to pull it today to take a look at it anyway. It might just be dirty. Could the pump be causing this?

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I do not think the pump could cause this, all it does is pump fluid. Can you swap the fittings from your old box to your spare. I can't remember if it can be done or not. smile.gif

[ November 24, 2001: Message edited by: Crazy_Jeepman ]

[porkchop]

No the fittings can't be switched they are part of the lines. I have been out there since this morning trying to figure it out and nothing. I had my wife turn the wheel side to side and the only thing that is strange is that when it gets to full lock the pump makes a strange squealing sound and the RPM's on the engine go down and it sounds like the egine will die if you hold the wheel there. I am going to take it in and have the experts do this one. I never thought I would have to do that. :( Oh well better to pay to have it done than to hit someone.

[gsmikie]

hey porkchop jack up the front end and see if you can take your hand and turn the tires back and forth this is a common problem on dodge pick ups the ball joints start to seize and most dont have a grease fitting on them ive seen many people replace the steering gear box and pump only to find out it was the ball joints trw has a replacement with a grease fitting in it checker/chief

[Rogue]

everybody has given you good advice, the first thing to came to mind to me was a caster problem, but since this just occured then the spool valve would seem the most likely choice, of course like everyone said ball joints tire psi etc etc could cause this. one other thing that i have personally experienced is that the box is wore slap out! if you've ever seen the inside of one than this explanation should make sense, inside the box is a big worm gear driving a pinion gear not quite unlike a rear end, when there is excessive clearance between the gears the worm gear will move side to side within the housing causing it to bind up the pinion gear. can you sort of shimmy the wheel back and forth and get the truck to straighten out? if so this could very well be the problem and it is remotely possible that it can be fixed with a simple adjustment. the adjustment screw usually has a slotted screw head and a locknut, it looks very similar to a band adjuster on an auto tranny, loosen the locknut, turn the adjuster in until it lightly bottoms , back off 1/2 turn ( 180 degrees ) and lock it down. hope this helps, good luck

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Well it sounds more and more like the spool valve in the box. Do you have the Pump and lines off the 83, change it all if you do. I will guess if you take it in they will just want to change the box anyhow. Why not try this pull the belt off the Power Steering pump take it for a drive it will be hard to steer but you should not have fight with the wheel to keep your rig straight. It would be a good test. Need a box let me know I can Fedex one in the morning. Maybe someone closer has one that could get it to you faster, I am betting on the steering box seen it numerous times. Pull the belt I think it will make a difference. ;)