Steering Issue

[akwilks]

My truck seems to float all over the place when I drive it. I took it home and while it was parked I could turn the steering wheel a bit before the wheels would turn. I noticed that the steering shaft does rotate at the steering box but the wheels dont turn until the steering wheel is turned a bit. What do I need to look at to repair this? I believe I have a flaming river steering shaft already. I assumed it might be a rag joint until I saw the shaft rotate at the steering box. So, what could it be? My truck has been in the garage since 2006. I want to drive her and just as soon as I got the engine right, I have to deal with this steering issue. TIA

Arn

 

[sy#2716]

Re: Steering Issue

Probaly all the bushings in the front end depending on the miles and the pitman are and idler are worn out and also the sterring box you will need to replace with a zq8.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Steering Issue

You can swap out your steering shaft with a Jeep shaft. The rag joint may be the culprit.

 

[spooldup]

Re: Steering Issue

your problem is the factory steering gear box. I sell the zq8 boxes that substantially cut down on that issue. Pme me if you would like one.

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: Steering Issue

Are you on stock wheels? If not, what tire size are you running up front?

 

[akwilks]

Re: Steering Issue

Are you on stock wheels? If not, what tire size are you running up front?

I am running stock wheels. I check the pitman and idler arms tomorrow for play....

Thanks

 

[Daveman2]

Re: Steering Issue

your problem is the factory steering gear box. I sell the zq8 boxes that substantially cut down on that issue. Pme me if you would like one.

I agree, or even a 12:1 which I have and love
all the other advice in the thread is quite sound though

 

[autoaddictions]

Re: Steering Issue

Id bet its the steering shaft. replace that first. you can buy the one without the rag joint here from a member for 50 bucks. Do a search. Its the best mod i made for the money spent. My rag joint was almost completely worn out and my sy was all over the road. check pitman and idler too but its the steering shaft.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Steering Issue

No one has mentioned alignment. Very important. proper alignment AND all the checks and mods mentioned above should fix it. I'd do a thorough inspection and alignment before just changing parts. A simple thing like improper toe-in and cause a vech to wander all over the place. Is this a new occurrence? If so then something may have "loosened" and needs to be found ASAP.

 

[akwilks]

Re: Steering Issue

Id bet its the steering shaft. replace that first. you can buy the one without the rag joint here from a member for 50 bucks. Do a search. Its the best mod i made for the money spent. My rag joint was almost completely worn out and my sy was all over the road. check pitman and idler too but its the steering shaft.

I thought that too but it looks like it dont have a rag joint. I also see the steering shaft rotate in the steering box. I dont know how they are designed but it looks like the play is either the shaft is loose where it connects to the steering box or the box itself is damaged.

 

[akwilks]

Re: Steering Issue

No one has mentioned alignment. Very important. proper alignment AND all the checks and mods mentioned above should fix it. I'd do a thorough inspection and alignment before just changing parts. A simple thing like improper toe-in and cause a vech to wander all over the place. Is this a new occurrence? If so then something may have "loosened" and needs to be found ASAP.

I agree...It is a new occurence only because I dont drive it often. It appears that I have to turn the steering wheel a bit to run straight however, with the play in it, there is a range of motion there where the truck will run straight before it responds to go left or right. I havent driven the truck once I noticed it but hate the fact that everything is working "perfect" (havent checked it with datamaster) and I now I cant drive it....again.

 

[sy#2716]

Re: Steering Issue

If the sterring shaft has been replace with a solid unit then it will be the sterring box that is worn out or like we have said the pitman/ idler arm. Also could be the ball joints/ tie rod ends. just need to check everything before you go out buying stuff.