Notchy Steering

[emperorwurm]

hi,
My 63 bug feels really strange when turning the steering wheel. Both left and right steering feels notchy. There are spots in the steering where the wheel feels loose, then when I turn the wheel it tightens up almost to the point where two hands are needed to turn the wheel. I am thinking I need to rebuild or replace the steering box, but im not 100% sure. Any advice on what I should look for? thanks.
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63 sedan

[KTPhil]

Lift up the front on jackstands.
Grab each wheel and shake at 3-9 o'clock, and at 12-6 o'clock. Note any play.
Have a buddy turn it slowly full left and right. You go underneath and watch for play in any of the following:
- tie rod ends
- Pitman arm
- tightness of box to beam
- rag joint
- clamped connections on steering shaft
Note what you find before trying to adjust the box
Then we can tell you how to adjust it.
Don't jump right to tightening the box or you will bind it, or make it wear out in record time and be buying a new box you may, or may not, need.

[BotanyBandit]

Maybe your steering box is roached or is improperly indexed to the steering shaft/beam?

Have you changed out the coupler on the box recently?
I can see someone accidentally installing it back the wrong way. I could see this causing it to bind. Notchy sounds like the box is either indexed wrong or the gears are doing the grindy grindy.

Like this (wrong)

(correct)

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[emperorwurm]

Interesting, I will do as described once I get some time to work on it. Thanks for the information.
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63 sedan