Buckminster
Well-Known Member
I have a '73 Challenger and after installing the fast ratio steering arms (idler and pitman) I had a different turning angle on the drivers side VS the passenger side. I talked with Carmen at Steer and Gear who rebuilt my steering box and trouble shot the setup to eliminate anything that could be incorrect with regards to the box, pitman arm, or idler arm. I'm down to suspecting the center link (drag link as some may call it). The passenger side tie rod end is shorter than the passenger side tie rod by 1 5/8". According to everything I've read on the forum this is supposed to be the same side to side. Here are the things I've checked that I believe I've ruled out.
1) the joint from the steering box to the steering shaft is lined up correctly. the wide tooth on the steering box input shaft is installed in line with the divot on the flex joint in the steering column.
2) the steering wheel is centered
3) the K-frame is on correctly according to the shop manual. The cross dimensions from the k-frame to the frame locating datums is on spec.
4) the steering knuckles are not bent.
5) the 4 double wide splines on the steering box are lined up with the chassis centerline as its supposed to be
6) the pitman arm is not bent
I have two questions. The first one is which way is the curve in the link supposed to go? Away from the pan sump (bumped towards the back of the car), or towards the front of the car? Two, if there are different drag links or center links that have different relative locations of the tie rod ends to the pitman arm or idler arm locations? i.e. if someone inadvertantly in its history put in an A-body, B-body or other drag link could it cause this problem and how would I identify if I had the correct '73 Challenger (E-body) drag link? there do not seem to be any markings or part numbers on this drag link. See the photo below for a measurement on one side of the tie rod. they are different side to side by 1 5/8" with the steering wheel straight ahead and the wheels aligned straight ahead.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
1) the joint from the steering box to the steering shaft is lined up correctly. the wide tooth on the steering box input shaft is installed in line with the divot on the flex joint in the steering column.
2) the steering wheel is centered
3) the K-frame is on correctly according to the shop manual. The cross dimensions from the k-frame to the frame locating datums is on spec.
4) the steering knuckles are not bent.
5) the 4 double wide splines on the steering box are lined up with the chassis centerline as its supposed to be
6) the pitman arm is not bent
I have two questions. The first one is which way is the curve in the link supposed to go? Away from the pan sump (bumped towards the back of the car), or towards the front of the car? Two, if there are different drag links or center links that have different relative locations of the tie rod ends to the pitman arm or idler arm locations? i.e. if someone inadvertantly in its history put in an A-body, B-body or other drag link could it cause this problem and how would I identify if I had the correct '73 Challenger (E-body) drag link? there do not seem to be any markings or part numbers on this drag link. See the photo below for a measurement on one side of the tie rod. they are different side to side by 1 5/8" with the steering wheel straight ahead and the wheels aligned straight ahead.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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