Steering

[L8RH8R]

I recently replaced all of the front suspension components (bushings, pittman arm, idler arm, tie rods etc) and had an alignment done. The ** drives great and the prothane bushings have made a noticeable improvment. My question is this. Before the work and alignment, the steering wheel sat a little to the right (bout 1 o'clock) and remains in the same position while driving. When off (ignition on), the wheel is straight but it has play. When i move it the wheels don't move. The problem is somewhere in the column or linkage. I know that on the old GM's they had a "rag joint" in the steering rod. Do the newer ones (99 model) have anything like this? This slack in the wheel is driving me nuts. Is there an adjustment? As always, thanks.

 

[99Yuk]

.. This slack in the wheel is driving me nuts. Is there an adjustment? ...

+1

I too have replaced eveything in my front end within twelve months with Moog parts. I even replaced my steering stabilizer last month. The slack drives me nuts!

I get into my wife's trailBlazer and it feels like it's on rails. The steering wheel communicates everything the road is doing. It's nice.
Then I get into my truck again, and it feels like it has a mind of it's own.

And it's not the EVO steering sensor. It's been replaced too.
My personal opinion is it's the engineering. Pitmin and idler arm vs. rack and pinion. No comparison....

But if there is a way to tighten the steering, then I'm all ears.......

 

[ezdaar]

Its the weakass gearbox, they develop ALOT of slop over the years.

There is a Adjuster on the top of it the" preload adjuster", do not mess with it, as it will only make steering harder to turn and not reduce any slop..
Your only way to get rid of the slop is to install a aftermarket high end gearbox.
a OEM replacement might feel better for a couple months but it will QUICKLY get loose..

99yuk is also correct, some of the slop is in the design of the steering. If you have someone turn the wheels just like a inch or two back and forth, you will notice most of the steering components moving up and down and flexing.

You can remove 99% of that by going to DOM tubing and heim joint compoinents, instead of the pos stock stuff..

If you combine the upgraded components with a quality gearbox , 99% of your play will dissapear permanently.
Its costly but IMO its worth every penny.

 

[99Yuk]

Thanks for the feedback.

I of coarse was looking for the $5 fix. Haha..
I'm not that anxious to spend oodles of more $$$ after spending $$$ replacing OEM stuff.

The sloppy steering is just one more nail in the coffin of my truck. It's looking more and more like by spring I will have a replacement truck.....sigh....

 

[Tbruz]

Any recommendations for a quality steering box rebuilder?
Any special options to ask for?
Thanks

 

[SunlitComet]

Just get a local part store unit for about $170.

 

[bowtiefreak]

how bad is teh install on the steering box? Any special tools needed? I am looking into this for my suburban

 

[SunlitComet]

1. Place front wheels in straight ahead position.
2. Remove flexible coupling to steering shaft bolts.
3. Mark position of pitman arm to shaft and remove pitman shaft nut or pinch bolt, then pitman arm from shaft with a puller.
4. Loosen steering gear and remove. Three or four thru-frame bolts here
5. Remove flexible coupling pinch bolt, then flexible coupling from steering gear wormshaft.
6. Reverse procedure to install.

---------- Post added at 12:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:02 PM ----------

Oh, and disconnect hoses first.

---------- Post added at 12:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:03 PM ----------

100 ft lbs on frame bolts. And 180 on pitman shaft nut.