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Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right #1685228 10/13/14 04:38 PM 10/13/14 04:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 460 Oklahoma V VoodooCLD OP mopar
VoodooCLD OP mopar V Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 460 Oklahoma	Ive got a 73 challenger with all new suspension, steering and brakes. I had it aligned after installing it all. It took me a while to notice, but when turning sharp in a parking lot i can't turn very well to the right. It is much sharper to the left. I remember the alignment shop saying one of the tie rod adjuster links was adjusted our further than the other. Did the alignment guy screw up? Did i screw up installing the pitman arm and need to pull it and rotate the wheel one full turn then reinstall?

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: VoodooCLD] #1685229 10/13/14 05:03 PM 10/13/14 05:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 290 Dayton, WA wesgtx440 enthusiast
wesgtx440 enthusiast Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 290 Dayton, WA	I would undo the pitman arm from the steering link. Then turn the wheel all the way one direction, count the turns to go all the way back. Then return the wheel half of what you counted. Check to see where your pitman arm is in relation to where the steering link hole is located with the wheels pointed straight ahead. If its off you will need to pull the pitman arm and relocate it to the proper spot. If its not then there is a problem elsewhere in the steering.

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: VoodooCLD] #1685230 10/13/14 05:03 PM 10/13/14 05:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,941 GA roadrunninMark master
roadrunninMark master Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,941 GA	Put front end up on jacks then turn steering wheel lock to lock. Count how many turns it takes. Then start at each end and go half as many turns. See if the wheels are straight after each time. That will get you started.

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: wesgtx440] #1685231 10/13/14 05:28 PM 10/13/14 05:28 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,826 las vegas 70AARcuda master
70AARcuda master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 9,826 las vegas	Quote: I would undo the pitman arm from the steering link. Then turn the wheel all the way one direction, count the turns to go all the way back. Then return the wheel half of what you counted. Check to see where your pitman arm is in relation to where the steering link hole is located with the wheels pointed straight ahead. If its off you will need to pull the pitman arm and relocate it to the proper spot. If its not then there is a problem elsewhere in the steering. pitman arm is not clocked correctly.. Tony 70 AARCuda Vitamin C 71 Dart Swinger 360 10.318 @ 128.22(10-04-14 Bakersfield) 71 Demon 360 10.666 @122.41 (01-29-17 @ Las Vegas) 71 Duster 408 (10.29 @ 127.86 3/16/19 Las Vegas)

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: wesgtx440] #1685232 10/13/14 05:38 PM 10/13/14 05:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,389 Omaha Ne T TJP I Live Here
TJP I Live Here T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,389 Omaha Ne	Quote: I would undo the pitman arm from the steering link. Then turn the wheel all the way one direction, count the turns to go all the way back. Then return the wheel half of what you counted. Check to see where your pitman arm is in relation to where the steering link hole is located with the wheels pointed straight ahead. If its off you will need to pull the pitman arm and relocate it to the proper spot. If its not then there is a problem elsewhere in the steering. I normally pull the pitman from the box itself rather than the steering link Also will add, the first step in an alignment is to make sure the box is centered in its travel failure to do so will create several issues. www.tandmautomotive-omaha.com

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: TJP] #1685233 10/13/14 06:42 PM 10/13/14 06:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,074 Niles , Ohio T therocks oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah. T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,074 Niles , Ohio	Could be a bent pitman also.Had a 5th Ave that someone did an alingnment on.I was going crazy tring to get toe set.Seems the guy hit a curb and they adjusted them so the wheel was straight.Left the bent pitman there.New pitman and all was fi Chrysler Firepower

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: VoodooCLD] #1685234 10/13/14 09:25 PM 10/13/14 09:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio Challenger 1 Too Many Posts
Challenger 1 Too Many Posts Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 28,312 Cincinnati, Ohio	Don't worry so much about the alinement if the pitman arm is not centered. Because imo you can get the toe back with just a tape ruler. It should not change the caster or camber much if at all. It sounds like you will have to readjust the tie rod end sleeves? Good luck. Don't the pitman arms have a master spline? So they only go on one way?

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: Challenger 1] #1685235 10/14/14 04:55 AM 10/14/14 04:55 AM
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 711 San Francisco D dilvoy super stock
dilvoy super stock D Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 711 San Francisco	Quote: Don't the pitman arms have a master spline? So they only go on one way? Yes, But the steering box can have four.

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: dilvoy] #1685236 10/14/14 07:29 AM 10/14/14 07:29 AM
Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,272 Northern Calyfornua S Sxrxrnr pro stock
Sxrxrnr pro stock S Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,272 Northern Calyfornua	Quote: Quote: Don't the pitman arms have a master spline? So they only go on one way? Yes, But the steering box can have four. The other 3 that you are not using will take you completely out of the ball park however.

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: VoodooCLD] #1685237 10/14/14 09:55 AM 10/14/14 09:55 AM
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 179 Cincinnati, Ohio cudaman67 member
cudaman67 member Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 179 Cincinnati, Ohio	I had that exact problem with my 67 Cuda. Previous owner had installed all new front suspension. I too thought it was in the Pitman arm, but it is keyed in 4 locations, no other ones were close. I removed the steering box to install a Firm Feel box, and installed a new Pitman arm, counted the turns lock to lock and still had the same problem. The tie rod ends were turned in too far on one side, and out too far on the other. Car always went down the road straight, but I had to be careful when trying to turn sharp to the right. Problem solved. Hope this helps...Larry

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: cudaman67] #1685238 10/14/14 01:48 PM 10/14/14 01:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,190 SW MO closer9 top fuel
closer9 top fuel Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,190 SW MO	Quote: I had that exact problem with my 67 Cuda. Previous owner had installed all new front suspension. I too thought it was in the Pitman arm, but it is keyed in 4 locations, no other ones were close. I removed the steering box to install a Firm Feel box, and installed a new Pitman arm, counted the turns lock to lock and still had the same problem. The tie rod ends were turned in too far on one side, and out too far on the other. Car always went down the road straight, but I had to be careful when trying to turn sharp to the right. Problem solved. Hope this helps...Larry Same thing happened to me. I rebuilt the front end, and centered everything, but the alignment shop had one side pretty much bottomed in the adjuster, and the other all the way out. Just mark arm/sleeve and turn an equal number of turns on each side, one in and one out. I first noticed the issue when my steering wheel was off, then realized I couldn't turn as sharp to the right. Daily: '19 Frontier 4WD Belle: '67 Belvedere Convertible, 318/727 in Go ManGo! Other: '64 C10, 283/3 on the tree

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: cudaman67] #1685239 10/14/14 03:31 PM 10/14/14 03:31 PM
Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,105 Western Md. skicker "The Champ"
skicker "The Champ" Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 5,105 Western Md.	Quote: The tie rod ends were turned in too far on one side, and out too far on the other. More than likely this is your problem. But if you center the box first and lock the wheel down so it doesn't turn and then adjust the drivers side until it is straight, all you will have to do is then adjust the passenger side. A tape measure about 3" off the ground front and rear will get you close enough for the alignment shop to finish. ...FAFO...

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right [Re: Sxrxrnr] #1685240 10/14/14 06:31 PM 10/14/14 06:31 PM
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 711 San Francisco D dilvoy super stock
dilvoy super stock D Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 711 San Francisco	Quote: Quote: Quote: Don't the pitman arms have a master spline? So they only go on one way? Yes, But the steering box can have four. The other 3 that you are not using will take you completely out of the ball park however. If the steering box is not centered properly another of the big splines might be tempting enough for someone to index the pitman arm onto.

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