replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

aggiedave98 · 12-28-2005, 02:04 PM

I've got "sloppy steering" on my '89 suburban 1/2ton 2wd. I'm going to replace the gearbox but do I need to replace anything else while I'm doing it (such as the parts further up the steering shaft?

thanks!

mhicks · 12-28-2005, 02:26 PM

Before replacing the gearbox, try to tighten it up. There is a nut with a stud sticking through it on the top passenger side of the gearbox. The stud has an hex head hole in it. Loosen the nut and turn the allen head the direction as if you are screwing it into the gearbox and then tighten the locknut back down. BE SURE AND NOT SCREW IT IN MORE THAN AN 1/8 OF A TURN AT A TIME BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH. You will definitly know it though if you turn it to far.

aggiedave98 · 12-28-2005, 04:11 PM

mhicks,

thanks!

Do I screw it in 1/8, then go drive it??

What will it do if I went too far??

mhicks · 12-28-2005, 04:33 PM

Just turn it a 1/8 of a turn and drive it and see what you think. Usually a 1/4 to a 1/2 is enough. If you go to far, when you turn a corner it won't turn back by itself and it will feel like you are oversteering it while driving. You'll know, it's a funky feeling. I have heard that it will pematurely wear them out if you go too far but you'll know.

aggiedave98 · 12-28-2005, 11:06 PM

allright, will give it a shot tomorrow!! glad you responded to quickly b/c I already bought the new gearbox!! hopefully I'll be able to return it to oreilly...

SSC's76 · 12-29-2005, 02:58 PM

Also check for worn tie rod ends, play in the pitman arm, worn A arm bushings and the condition of the ball joints. They all will have an effect on overall steering sensitivity.

Slonaker · 12-29-2005, 03:10 PM

My steering on my truck was loose when I got it, and it already had a new steering box. I rebuilt the frontend, and that got rid of the sloppy steering. There is a write-up, by swervin ervin, on www.73-87.com on how to do it.

Slonaker

aggiedave98 · 12-29-2005, 05:38 PM

Guys,

Well, I think I fixed my problem... haven't driven it a ton yet, but it seems a lot better... I did adjust the screw and that seemed to fix it.

BTW, I when I put my 3" lift in 1.5 years ago, I did replace all the stearing components except the box... (pittman arm, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.) so this was the last thing to fix.

Saved $150 bucks... thanks!!

Basically it now seems a lot tighter although there still seems to be a little bit of a dead spot, but that may be in my head or may be because I've got big 32" tires on 15" rims... the tires probably absorb a lot of it...

12-28-2005, 02:04 PM	#1
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? I've got "sloppy steering" on my '89 suburban 1/2ton 2wd. I'm going to replace the gearbox but do I need to replace anything else while I'm doing it (such as the parts further up the steering shaft? thanks!

12-28-2005, 02:26 PM	#2
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? Before replacing the gearbox, try to tighten it up. There is a nut with a stud sticking through it on the top passenger side of the gearbox. The stud has an hex head hole in it. Loosen the nut and turn the allen head the direction as if you are screwing it into the gearbox and then tighten the locknut back down. BE SURE AND NOT SCREW IT IN MORE THAN AN 1/8 OF A TURN AT A TIME BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH. You will definitly know it though if you turn it to far.

12-28-2005, 04:11 PM	#3
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	Re: replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? mhicks, thanks! Do I screw it in 1/8, then go drive it?? What will it do if I went too far??

12-28-2005, 04:33 PM	#4
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? Just turn it a 1/8 of a turn and drive it and see what you think. Usually a 1/4 to a 1/2 is enough. If you go to far, when you turn a corner it won't turn back by itself and it will feel like you are oversteering it while driving. You'll know, it's a funky feeling. I have heard that it will pematurely wear them out if you go too far but you'll know.

12-28-2005, 11:06 PM	#5
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	Re: replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? allright, will give it a shot tomorrow!! glad you responded to quickly b/c I already bought the new gearbox!! hopefully I'll be able to return it to oreilly...

12-29-2005, 02:58 PM	#6
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? Also check for worn tie rod ends, play in the pitman arm, worn A arm bushings and the condition of the ball joints. They all will have an effect on overall steering sensitivity. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

12-29-2005, 03:10 PM	#7
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? My steering on my truck was loose when I got it, and it already had a new steering box. I rebuilt the frontend, and that got rid of the sloppy steering. There is a write-up, by swervin ervin, on www.73-87.com on how to do it. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

12-29-2005, 05:38 PM	#8
aggiedave98 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 1,007	Re: replacing gearbox, what else to replace?? Guys, Well, I think I fixed my problem... haven't driven it a ton yet, but it seems a lot better... I did adjust the screw and that seemed to fix it. BTW, I when I put my 3" lift in 1.5 years ago, I did replace all the stearing components except the box... (pittman arm, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.) so this was the last thing to fix. Saved $150 bucks... thanks!! Basically it now seems a lot tighter although there still seems to be a little bit of a dead spot, but that may be in my head or may be because I've got big 32" tires on 15" rims... the tires probably absorb a lot of it...



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