I got the transmission cooler mounted again (the creative way), so now it's time to address the steering on this truck.

I get about 1/3 turn of free play in the center whether the truck is running or not. Sometimes going into a turn the truck will start to turn, then go straight, and I have to turn 1/4 turn more to get it to corner. I'm thinking the steering gear is shot, since that's where the play seems to be coming from. However, I talked to a guy who said there is an adjustment on the steering gear to reduce slack. When I looked in the FSM, there's only worm bearing preload and overcenter adjustments. Will these help at all or should I spend the ~$700 for a new steering gear? Oh, and the front end components are fine; the play is in the gear itself. Any thoughts?

Hopingsomedaythetruckwilldrivebetter

Tom

 

I have the same problem only yours sounds a little worse. I tried adjusting the slack out using the adjustment screw on top, but it didn't really help much.

I priced a new/rebuilt steering box at the local Checker Auto Parts for only $200 + core.

 

I might try adjusting it, but $200 sounds a lot better than the $700 I had seen. Thanks.

 

After you adjust the steering gearbox have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while you observe what the shaft and coupling are doing. There should be no play between the steering wheel and where it joins the gearbox. If there is check the "rag joint".

 

That price dose seem high. Carquest told me a little under $200.

You can also box it up and send it to PSC for a good rebuild for about that price.

Andy

 

You might also check your steering box bracket. I was geeting an occasional popping noise when turning the wheel, then got a vague feeling in the steering, right before this happened:

 

Look at the coupler 90% of the time it's the coupler look at replacing the stock copler with an after market shaft with a u joint typ of coupler.

Greg

 

I would ditch the factory coupler and ck the bracket REAL close before i swapped the box. I had similar problems and it turned out to be a wasted coupler (see my gallery for a pic of the new steering shaft) and cracked bracket, and my bracket was`nt anywhere near as bad as goodtyms`s. The steering is about 95% better than it was.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I replaced the bracket when it cracked, which was only a couple months ago. I can take a video of the play in the shaft. Between the coupler and the gear I can see a shaft going into the gearbox, and it turns the 1/3 turn the wheel does, so I'm pretty sure the shaft from steering wheel to gear is fine; I'm almost certain the gear itself is bad. I was going to get a Borgeson shaft, but after looking at it, I'm pretty sure the coupler isn't the problem. I'll get a video for you guys tonight.

 

Best way to check that steering is just reach in there, grab the steering shaft with your hand and start moving it while looking at the coupler. Then you'll be able to see the play, feel it, and tell for sure exactly where it is coming from.

 

If the shaft going into the gearbox moves, the play is in the gear itself, right? I did what you suggested, and the shaft going in moves (seen between the coupler and the gearbox), so I'll probably replace the gear.

 

Sounds like a bad box. How many miles? That's usually the last part to go, but if there's alot of miles on it, could be..

 

Only 179,100 right now, and the box has been replaced once. The replacement box was used however, and this truck is a farm truck (my dad seems to ignore large holes in the field when moving at 30 mph chasing a coyote...

I'll replace the box.

 

Real question is? Wer you in the back of the truck with the rifle over the cab shooting at the coyote? Seen it done before.