M43 Steering Issues

[joew]

1954 M43 Ambulance - HARD Steer. I have an M43 and two M37's. Problem I'm having is that when I try to turn the vehicle, the further in either direction I go, the tighter the wheel becomes. AND - it will not 'return'. I have to pull back in the opposite direction to get out of the turn. It's been that way since I got the vehicle, and as part of the restoration, we rebuilt steering box, new tie rod ends, rebuilt steering knuckles, new wheel bearings, etc, etc. - same problem. When the truck is on stands, everything seems to turn freely / smoothly in each direction.
HELP?!?!?!?!
Joe W.

[Carter]

What new parts were included as part of your steering box rebuild? Was the sector shaft replaced?

[MSeriesRebuild]

I would suggest you check into alignment specs as that is most likely where your issues are based on info you have shared. Caster and camber being correct is where the steering return to center feature you mentioned as being lost comes from. Caster and camber is factory set into the axle design, and is not intended to be adjustable on these axles. If you have knuckle wear issues in play, original caster and camber settings are lost. My suggestion is you check out these issues next on the list. Rebuilding the knuckles may very well correct it for you. If the axle tube has been bent or damaged in any way, this will most certainly cause loss of these critical adjustments and is most often hard to repair without axle tube replacement. The only alignment related spec that is adjustable is the toe-in. Correctness there is easily adjusted at the tie rod ends. Obtain the correct specs from your manual, then have a reputable alignment service person put it on their machine and check the current settings for you. Most likely the issue will then be evident without question.