Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right

Posted By: VoodooCLD

Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/13/14 08:38 PM

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?

Posted By: wesgtx440

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/13/14 09:03 PM

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.

Posted By: roadrunninMark

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/13/14 09:03 PM

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.

Posted By: 70AARcuda

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/13/14 09:28 PM

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..

Posted By: TJP

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/13/14 09:38 PM

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.

Posted By: therocks

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/13/14 10:42 PM

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

Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/14/14 01:25 AM

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?

Posted By: dilvoy

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/14/14 08:55 AM

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.

Posted By: Sxrxrnr

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/14/14 11:29 AM

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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.

Posted By: cudaman67

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/14/14 01:55 PM

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

Posted By: closer9

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/14/14 05:48 PM

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.

Posted By: skicker

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/14/14 07:31 PM

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.

Posted By: dilvoy

Re: Challenger turns sharp left, but hardly at all to right - 10/14/14 10:31 PM

Quote:

Quote:

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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.