Overhauled steering gear is Binding Help.....

[Marshall V. Daut]

You are dealing with two steering problems, possibly related, possibly not: (1) hard steering when the wheels are on the ground; (2) a metallic scraping noise when turning the wheels. The second problem should be the easier of the two to track down. While a friend turns the steering wheel, lie or kneel down under the front axle. Watch and LISTEN as the wheels turn on the ground. Have your accomplice continue turning the steering wheel from lock-to-lock while you move around under car to pinpoint where the scraping noise is coming from. Once you have located it, take care of that first, either by loosening, lubing or moving the offending part (s). Once the noise has been located and eliminated, see if that solves the hard steering problem.
If not, there are only so many things that can cause hard steering. You have stated that the steering works fine and smoothly when the wheels are off the ground. Assuming that is correct and you are using a steering LUBE and not grease inside the box, we can eliminate the steering box itself. You wrote that the steering sector is not rubbing on the hole in the frame rail, a very common problem when the mounting holes have been elongated or the incorrect bolts were installed to secure the steering box to the frame. You have also eliminated a bent or rubbing tie rod across the radius rod arms. After you have loosened the tie rod and drag line end plugs, see if that affects the noise and steering ease. It may be that the end plugs are actually too loose, causing the steering balls to click against the plugs when the wheels are turned. If that's the case, loosening them more will not correct hard steering. If you can lift the tie rod and drag link off the steering balls and pitman arm ball, inspect the balls themselves to ensure they are round, not egg-shaped. Oftentimes in order to reduce shimmying caused by egg-shaped steering balls, owners will over-tighten the end plugs, which may or may not reduce shimmying, but will definitely make steering harder.
If the steering is easier after loosening the end plugs, but the noise still persists, check other areas, such as a loose backing plates, a loose radius rod ball, loose wheel bearings and loose spindle arms. Are the steering box mounting bolts too long so that the ends are rubbing against the pitman arm? The arm might not rub against the bolts while the front end is off the ground, but will rub when the weight of the car on the ground changes the geometry and proximity of the steering parts. Are the lug nuts tight and the wheels secured firmly against the brake drums? If the lug nut holes are worn deeply into the wheel, the nuts will not be able to secure the wheel against the drum. For a while, defective lug nuts were being sold with the wrong angle on the seat. They could not tighten the wheel to the drum. A loose wheel will make noise, too. Jack the front end up and wiggle each wheel to check for that condition, as well as for loose bearings or backing plates. Tire pressure should be 32-36 psi. Low tire pressures will make steering difficult, too.
Let us know if these suggestions help.
Marshall