Why does my steering wheel get stuck on 1989 Dodge Ram Van B250?

Question

Periodically, the steering wheel will get stuck; especially when making a hard turn in either direction. I am suspecting something in the steering column is at fault or possibly the gearbox. The gearbox is slightly over a year old. I recently installed new idler arms and strut rod bushings, and got the mandatory alignment. Any help as to the cause would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Simple way to tell is disconnect the steering shaft at the gearbox coupling and then try turning the wheel. If it turns ok, the problem is in the gearbox. If it sticks or binds, the problem is in the column. Sometimes, a faulty pump will make it seem like it's sticking also from an intermittent loss of pressure--check the pressure output, if possible, of the pump and maybe clean/replace the pressure valve or filter of the pump.