1974 Barracuda Steering box question

Hi All,

I have an issue with the steering box in my e body and need someone with a similar steering box to let me know if what I am seeing is correct. When I turn my steering wheel left or right, the steering box has a joint where it spins about a half inch before it engages. The two white marks is the travel, and the thin black slice is the part that opens while turning in one direction and then closes while turning the other way, like it is threaded. 1974 Barracuda, power steering. This is with the key in and the column unlocked. The roll pin is NOT loose. I've been driving like this for a couple years, but just noticed this.

Thanks.

Is the shaft to the steering box moving with the coupler? The coupler is splined to the steering box. There should be no free play there.

Are you saying that the coupler is loose on the steering box input shaft or that the steering box has play in it before the wheels start moving?

Are you checking this with the engine running or with the engine off? If the engine is off, the steering box will have some free-play in it. You can move the steering wheel left to right and the box input shaft will move some without the wheels moving. Once you start the engine, the free-play is removed and the wheels should start turning as soon as you turn the steering wheel.

You need to pull the column and see why it is spinning and not turning the shaft on the box right away. I am wondering if the splines on either your steering box shaft or inside the column part are missing some teeth, or something is loose on the inside (if possible). Like others have said, there should be no play when turning the wheel to when the shaft of the steering box receives the input to turn at the same amount.

Ok, I cleaned up the area and actually the shaft with the spline from the box is ok, but it is able to turn into and out of the box a little if I turn the steering shaft. I'm guessing the gears inside are worn. I'm wondering if I can adjust the steering box end play screw for a little fix?
This car was supposed to in a wedding for a short drive...this saturday.

Chryslers power steering boxes were not the tightest even when new. It will make a difference as Burdar said above about checking input play with engine running or not, as the hydraulic pressure moves fluid into the worm gear. Often these boxes are so loose and overboosted they have little or no road feel. Steer and Gear as well as Firm Feel offer rebuilt units that are much better than Chrysler ever offered. Just make sure there is no slack you are feeling in the steering linkage. Worn pitman arm, idler arm, tie rods etc...

Thanks, yes, the car is not running and the column is unlocked. Just looks like a lot of play there. Do you know how about how much play there should be? Mine travels about the distance of the two white marks.

Like I said, that "play" is completely normal with the engine "off". Most or all of it will go away once the engine is started.

Ok, thank you.
Thanks, everyone for helping me.