i had the pump and gear rebuilt when they were out during the resto' now when i fired for the first time the steering wheel jumped out of my hands and turned by itself. since then i have had no power steering on start ups and short distance moves. is there something i can do short of taking the gear or pump back off? it has a hemi in it and a real bear to get apart. thanks moparts

no power steering guru's out there? i know not many attempt repairs on these, but i know some do?

So every time you start the car, the steering wheel moves to lock very quickly?

I worked on an old van that did that. It almost broke my arm when it spun around. It turned out that there was a broken valve in the PS gear box. If you take the valve body off the top of the unit, there is a valve that sits down in the gear box. That's the piece that was damaged.

no it only did it once and now has no power assist at all.

sounds like there is a valve stuck in the steering gear box

I think you will find the control valve (where the return hose attaches)needs to be adjusted.
Loosen the two bolts holding it in place (JUST BARELY LOOSEN) and with the engine running tap it back and forth, it won't take much, and DO NOT start it with your arm stuck thru the wheel, it is a good way to break something, and it won't be the wheel.
Likely it needs to be centered, you will find the spot by moving it.
Best done with the wheels off the ground, weight on control arms, though I am not sure how important that part is.
The valve is in a machined "slot", sealed with a couple o rings it won't take much movement either direction, but find the sweet spot where it doesn't self steer.

EDIT, I should have said the two bolts that hold the valve in place, not the two that hold the return fitting...oopsie

If all else fails call Adco Power Steering at 713-681-1446. He refurbished the one on my 70 Cuda and it works great.