I put on a 2nd steering box, the last one was leaking more than I would like. So far so good.

The issue w the new one is that the steering is off considerably. I aligned the drop arm w the drag link and the steering was way off, so I rotated the steering wheel to straighten it out. Now, I have much more range in turning to the left than the right. I can turn the steering wheel to the left what feels like more than two rotations, and barely 1.5 times to the right before it hits the stops. My understanding is that the stops are built into the steering knuckle. The "new" drop link was maybe 30 degrees different from the old set up. The wheels on the donor car where straight when I pulled off the steering box. I did not remove/adjust the drop link. When I lined up the drag link and the drop arm, the wheels were far from straight, the drag link taper was probably a couple inches from the drop link hole. The drop link "centralising bolt" would just about go in currently, the wheels may need to turn a few degrees to get the pin installed. So, think it is fair that the drop link is not the issue.

What did I screw up with what must have been rotating the steering wheel? If the limit is from the stops on the knuckle, what am I maxing out in the rotation? I cannot imagine that the drag link has anywhere near enough adjustment to straighten everything out.

More importantly, how do I fix it? Looking at RAVE, I did not install the center nut, which i will do in the morning and follow section 57.35.05. I am having a hard time envisioning how the steering wheel locks out unevenly, left to right turning. I dont see anything in RAVE about how the universal joint that connects the steering shaft to the steering box needs to be adjusted. Does the steering wheel have unlimited rotation if it is not connected to anything?

If the wheels are straight and the centalising pin is in place, the steering wheel is pretty much straight, what is causing the steering to lock out much earlier on a right hand turn?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

There is a slack adjustment on the top of the steering box, since you have the rave manual have a look there.

 

I'm not sure I follow 100% here. AFAIK you can't rotate the steering wheel due to the clock spring orientation, sounds like you've done that however so I'm missing something. The only thing that springs to mind is the drop link from 03-04 is a different length than 02 and below. Could that be part of the issue?

Edit: And/or, that could affect a pitman arm issue??