yeah, I disconnected that last night to no effect.

 

In case anyone is having this problem in the future, it was my steering gear box. After what EZEARL said, I tried moving the wheels by hand with the pitman arm disconnected and the turned fine, so I replaced the steering gear box. I didn't realize how difficult it was to turn the steering wheel before I replaced it, but now it's smooth.

My only problem now is a bit of slack in the steering wheel while turning. Any idea where to try to adjust that out?

 

GLAD you found the lock up problem. When you say slack do you mean free play? You can have someone work the steering wheel while you look underneath for any looseness in the steering components. Just a guess but the bad steering box may have put a lot of stress on the steering shaft (steering box to steering wheel) joints. Look there to.

 

Also check the joints of steering shaft located in engine bay. One at firewall and one near steering box.