Author Topic: What would cause the steering to lock up? (Read 7451 times)

flamingchariots · « **on:** August 07, 2014, 11:51:13 PM »

I was moving my rarely used '87 auto, ps, 6, wagon and the steering seemed really stiff. Then all of a sudden, it just wouldn't turn anymore. It feels like how the steering column locks with the key off and removed.
I looked at the front suspension and nothing was obvious, except that the steering box had leaked enough to wet the Pittman arm.

Is the best guess that the steering box is toast?

How much is involved with changing that out?

Does a Lares 1353 fit? Pretty cheap at Rockauto.
They also have an Atsco 7525.

Thanks for any advice,
Kevin
Medina, OH

DownwardFlame · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2014, 12:21:15 PM »

Have you checked the fluid level and condition? I would start there before condemning the steering box.

priya · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2014, 01:23:57 PM »

I had the steering lock on occaision in my Eagle wagon. I finally got under the hood and found the electrical cord for the block heater had fallen between the steering shaft and the inner fender and this would sometimes jam the steering shaft when I tried to turn left.

AMC of Houston · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2014, 02:48:35 PM »

Or the steering damper locked up....

Or something in the steering wheel lock mechanism under the steering wheel messed up or fell apart.....

Just tossing out wild guesses...........

eaglefreek · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2014, 12:12:28 AM »

Quote from: AMC of Houston on August 09, 2014, 02:48:35 PM

Or the steering damper locked up....

Or something in the steering wheel lock mechanism under the steering wheel messed up or fell apart.....

Just tossing out wild guesses...........

Yes, I would do some trouble shooting by removing the steering shaft from the steering box and see if you can move the steering wheel, if not it's in the column. If so, then I would reattach it and then remove the pitman arm from the steering box and see if you can move the steering wheel. If not, it is probably the steering box. If so, keep looking further down the line until you find something.

carnuck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2014, 01:15:58 AM »

Fluid level first. Pump ran dry can throw chunks into the box.

flamingchariots · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2014, 09:51:12 PM »

Well, we did some maneuvering and investigative work today. Because the wheels wouldn't turn, we had to drag the car into a position to get it inside the barn. With some thin hardboard and chain, the awd van was able to pull it into position.

While driving in, I forced the steering, which grudgingly moved into a straight position. My wife noticed that the driver's front wheel was tilted in at the top. Power steering fluid leaking on the floor... Tie rods and ball joints seemed fine...

Then I noticed that the upper A arm was moving around. Not good.

I can't see very well because of the steering box, but it appears that where the A arm attaches is rusted beyond my abilities to repair. So, it appears there was a lot of binding up because of the twisting components.
The "frame" where the lift pad is looks like it's in bad shape, too. Not too much left of the driver side rocker and lower doors (behind the plastic).

Too far gone for anything but parting out?
Some pictures:

eaglefreek · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2014, 10:40:50 PM »

Holy moly, that is a lot of rust. Anything is fixable depending on how much money and time you want to invest, but that looks pretty bad to me.

vangremlin · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2014, 10:46:52 PM »

I agree with Eaglefreek, both in thats a lot of rust, and anything is fixable with enough money. The rest of the car looks pretty good up top, so it may be worth saving if you can get the front end taken care of.

flamingchariots · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2014, 11:06:42 PM »

Yes. The rest of the car looks pretty good up top.
Interior's nice except the headliner (though replaced, now droops some; not enough glue I guess).

Anyone reading this want to make an offer as is?

priya · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2014, 01:03:29 PM »

Surprising to see such a huge difference in how the underbody and the rest of the car looks - looks great until you get underneath. I think it would be a bad idea to attempt repairing this, it would take 3 times as much effort as the car is worth all done.

carnuck · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2014, 04:48:39 PM »

Wow! Solid axle swap is even out of the question

drock87 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2014, 04:56:48 PM »

PM me if you need to get rid of some parts or just want a second set of eyes. I live in Akron and grew up in Hinckley!

flamingchariots · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2014, 07:44:55 PM »

I pulled the front wheels last night and brushed away quite a bit of rust and spider webs.
What I found was not pretty. The frame is worse than I imagined, and the bottom of the shock tower is floating. That's what was causing the steering to bind--- the A-arm pushing against the steering shaft.
If you look closely you can see two shiny grooves on the shaft.
At some point I will start to part it out, unless someone wants to buy the whole thing for a mutually agreeable price.