I would have thought a bolt would shear or possibly I might get a bent drag link or tie rod after that bit of impact. I actually cracked the bottom rear ear off of the steering box where the steering box mounts to the bracket. I gently drove the truck home, and surprisingly, the steering felt no different. Has anyone else done this? Its only an 85 dollar part from my local salvge yard so im not too worried. Both my frame and steering box bracket are undamaged do to some gusseting I performed the last time I shattered my frame rail.

 

Its normal, ive heard of a few trucks thats done this.

 

I did it twice within 6 months of each other. Granted I've got some big rubber i'm trying to turn. The whole steering "situation" with our trucks suck, turning puts a lot of strain on the bracket, the box, and the frame. You did good stiffening the frame up, probably why didn't feel slopping when u drove it home haha. If your truck was lifted I'd suggest a cross-over steering kit but since its not, just try to be moving when u turn the tires. It'll take a lot of stress off the box and bracket.

 

The '89 was like that when we pulled the box off. Had no idea it was broken untill then.