Should the shaft that goes from the steering box to the bottom of the wheel shaft have any play in it? As in side to side I can wiggle it pretty good like it is loose. Should it be tight with minimal movement? I have a rattling in the front that is minimal but I can feel through the steering wheel.

 

Get an SBS (Steering Box Stabilizer). It will take 15-20 min and will drive like a new truck. See: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...r-t281918.html

 

Which steering box shaft are you referring to; the steering box shaft that connects to the to pitman arm or the one that goes to the cab steering wheel shaft with the universal joint? Or do you mean tie rod the one that goes from the pitman arm to the wheel spindle.

In answer to your question though niether shaft coming from the steering box should have any preceptable play. The tie rod from the pitman arm to the wheel spindle should articulate so the steering linkage can operate but not have "looseness" or wobbling in it. Hope this helps.

L8r,...........dogger

 

It is the one that comes from the cab steering wheel shaft into the pump, the ones that runs through the engine compartment. I can wiggle it back and forth, not a little bit mind you, but a lot. There is no looseness (is that a word?) in the steering and it tracks and drives fine, it is just if it is loose and supposed to be tight, I forsee failure in the future as with anything else.

 

I had a lot of slop in my steering shaft when I bought the truck. After ordering a Borgson shaft and getting the wrong thing twice and being totally disgusted with the quality I sent it back and just modded the stock shaft myself. Read here:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...steering+shaft

 

Good thread, I am going to look into that and see what happens. thanks!