Heavy steering after front end suspension rebuild

[Gseppe]

Just rebuilt the front suspension on a 1981 Spider 2000, 64,000 miles.
Replaced:
All Control arm bushings
Ball joints
Steering center link
All tie rod ends

- Removed hydraulic steering damper, cleaned, filled with fresh 90w - didn't completely dismantle the paddles, just cleaned out old oil and bit of sludge - filled to top with oil
- Filled steering gear box with fresh 90w
- Everything properly torqued, including ball joints

Car is still on stands because I haven't yet re-installed shocks and lowered vehicle to torque control arms.
I connected the steering linkage to the steering knuckles and tried turning the steering wheel just to see what the difference is between the steering now and before I started the work. The steering is very heavy, but figured it would lighten up a bit after driving and the new parts broke in.

So, will it get better? Did I fill the steering damper too much? No binding anywhere...

[garion]

- Removed hydraulic steering damper, cleaned, filled with fresh 90w - didn't completely dismantle the paddles, just cleaned out old oil and bit of sludge - filled to top with oil

I don't think those are supposed to be filled to the top. There needs to be some air in there to allow the fluid to flow.

[Gseppe]

Yeah, I searched these forums and saw "Fill half an inch then fill cap" and "Fill with oil" Assumed "Fill with oil" meant all the way to the top. I can see how it would work with less oil as the oil is compressed by the paddles and passes through the inner cover via the little ball valves. I guess the valves regulate the oil pressure as it passes through the holes in the paddles.

[4uall]

You want to use 90W oil in the steering box, but Automatic transmission fluid in the idler. Hydraulic fluid that is. 90W is too thick for the idler

This might help

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... &sk=t&sd=a

[Gseppe]

How much ATF? Half way or completely fill the idler?

[azruss]

have you tried turning the wheels by hand without the steering connected to make sure you dont have a bad ball joint that is creating the drag.

[Gseppe]

Yeah, those are brand new but I haven't loaded the grease yet (purchased from Intl Auto Parts which need grease added). The hubs are difficult to turn, especially after releasing spring compressor. Perhaps when filled with grease they'll ease up? Perhaps this is a combination of problems - little/no grease in ball joints and too much/wrong weight oil in idler?

[DanD]

Grease makes a huge difference. My fiat project came with all new front end components, but the car hadn't been driven much since they were put on. I popped all the tie rod links off the car and greased them, caps off, as well as greasing the ball joints.

It made a noticeable difference after only a few miles of driving.