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sloppy steering

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Old Mar 6, 2006 | 06:12 PM
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From: Asheville NC
sloppy steering

on my truck in sig i can move the stearing wheel 3'' with out feeling it at all. is this just the average steering on this trucks or is there something i can do to tighten things up
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Old Mar 6, 2006 | 07:36 PM
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From: Haynesville Ga
Could be worn suspension parts, track bar or steering gear box needs adjustment or replacing. Start by going underneath truck and grabbing the steering linkage everywhere you see a joint and shake it to see if it loose. Next jack up one side of truck until tire is about 1-2 inches off ground and place a long prybar or screwdriver under neath tire and lift up on tire while watching upper and lower ball joints for movement. You can check the trackbar with an assistant turning the steering wheel back and forth with truck running and watch for track bar movement at the joint. If all of the components are tight you may be able to adjust some of the slack out of the gear box by loosening locknut on top and turning allen head screw clockwise but I wouldn't go anymore than 1/2-3/4 turn on the allenscrew at a time then tighten locknut and go for a ride. If you aren't up to this you could also just take it in for a front end alignment and they'll tell what's loose and how much $$ you'll need
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Old Mar 6, 2006 | 07:38 PM
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Good advice Mr. J.
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Old Mar 7, 2006 | 05:02 PM
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Did all that you discribed and everything felt tight so i ended up just greasing everything good and turing the alen head. MAN WHAT A DEFERENCE. thanks a lot.
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Old Mar 7, 2006 | 05:27 PM
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Another satisfied customer.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 11:46 AM
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i might have to go try that on my truck. I just noticed yesterday how much play there was in the steering wheel. I'll have to look for that allen bolt and crank it down a little.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 02:42 PM
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its right on top of the box in the center.It makes a big difference.

i had to tighten mine all the way does this mean the stearing box is about shot?
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 04:57 PM
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I did the very same thing on my '73 Power Wagon. It tightened it right up.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by BCB
its right on top of the box in the center.It makes a big difference.

i had to tighten mine all the way does this mean the stearing box is about shot?
Yea, it will not adjust anymore. Give it a few years then replace it.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 06:41 PM
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Okay, lets say i go out and adjust. Is there a point that it contacts something or gets snug? Or am i just turnin 1/2-3/4 untill satisfied? Can i go too far and damage something? Thanks
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by DZLPWR
Okay, lets say i go out and adjust. Is there a point that it contacts something or gets snug? Or am i just turnin 1/2-3/4 untill satisfied? Can i go too far and damage something? Thanks
You can go to far and it will get real tight or possibly lock. I would go 3/4 -1 turn at a time and see what it does.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 07:22 PM
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Okay, thanks
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