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[Sparky005s]

Quoted From college man:

what you could do is with the steering coupler removed.
The wheels straight. you will need to turn the steering wheel
all the way to the left and then all the way to the right. you will
need to count how many full steering wheel turns from lock
to lock. then split the difference center the wheel and put the
coupling back on and get the vehicle to an alignment shop.
Your front end geometry is way out of whack. unless you can
drive the vehicle the way it is to the alignment shop. also
look at the steering joints to make sure no binding.

Two things: I thought that turning the steering wheel a lot with it disconnected from the pinion could cause damage to the clockspring. Secondly, I don’t think it’s an alignment issue. if the alignment is off, which I’m sure it is, why would it not turn when the steering is connected, but it will turn when the steering is not connected?

[Sparky005s]

Quoted From college man:

I had a blonde moment about turning the wheel round and round with the coupling disconnected.
check for binding or bent parts from the steering shaft to the rack. actually
if it is disconnected does the wheel move freely?

Yes, the steering wheel moves easily when it is disconnected from the rack, but it does not move freely when it is connected. I thought the rack and pinion assembly was damaged so I replaced it, along with the outer tie rods and the power steering pump.

[Sparky005s]

Quoted From dreamer2355:

I would be checking the steering u-joints as suggested above. However, id be suspicious of why the ‘mechanic’ tried to align it. It seems like there may have been more damage than just a ball joint and wheel. Do you have the alignment print out?

I would be taking it to a qualified repair facility and having the person who damaged it foot the bill.

Keep us posted.

I share your suspicions. No, I don’t have any alignment print out. I never even met the mechanic, and I don’t know if he had anything that high tech. I don’t think I’m going to be getting anything else out of this guy so I’m on my own.

What do I look for on the U joints to tell if any are bad? What about the gear that the shaft connects to at the steering wheel.

[Author]

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