Loose steering

[sgtusmc]

Hey guy's, I have a problem/question. The other day I was driving by myself on the I5 in the 53. I noticed I have a lot of play in the steering. I can move the steering wheel about an inch and a half either direction before the front tires move. I past a few big rigs at about 75 mph and It was kind of scary. It's been a while since I've driven the truck. For the life of me, I don't recall it ever being so loose. I've checked all the mounting points and fluid in the steering components and it's all tight. My set-up is the stock s10 power steering components with a Flaming River tilt column. So my question is. What can I do to get the slack out of the steering? I thought about a steering stabilizer. But, I feel that would only be a band aid and not remove the slack.

I hope everyone had a great holiday.

[2tons of fun]

check the slack in the steering box itself and get under the truck and have some one turn the steering wheel for you.

[Dan Bowles]

There is also a way to tighten it up within the box.

[lonelywanderer]

worn tie rods?

[memo43]

i agree worn out tie rods, or the sleeves themselves. how is the wear pattern on the tires, could be in need of an aligment..

memo

[sgtusmc]

I wasn't aware you could tighten up the slack in the box. As for tire wear, the tires have about 250 miles on them with no sign of wear. I think I'll just bite the bullet on this one and take it in.

[OrrieG]

If you can turn the steering wheel and the pitman arm does not move its in the box. Most boxes have a screw/nut on the cover. Loosen the nut and turn the screw to take out the slop. Do not tighten it up too much or stuff inside will bind up, you will feel what I mean if you go to far. HOld the screw in place and retighten the nut.

If the idle arm moves but the tires do not its in the linkage somewhere. Start at the box connection and check all the connections.

Here is a phot of the screw nut (I know its a 74 box but principle is the same)

[Atomsplitter]

Worn tie rods also cause vibration. I just had mine changed in the summer and the steering is tighter and the vibration has gone away.

[mylow53]

on my old steering set up i had to tighten up the steering bolt once a year or so. are you using the stock box s10 or AD?

also i had my pitman arm come loose once after a repair... did the same thing. double check your nuts.... (that sounded odd....
GT

[sgtusmc]

have no vibration in the steering at all. Truck drives straight with no sway. The front suspension has not been lowered. I'll take a look at the steering box. Hopefully that's it. Thanks for all the help guy's.

mylow53- I'm using the stock s10 box.

[54 jimmy]

s10 are noted for pitman and idler arms 2wd or 4wd that would be the place to start first like OrrieG said. it could be the box needs adjusted but also check the rag joint if you are using the stock steering shaft because if it is worn or torn it will have a lot of slop. my lifted 91 4x4 s10 had a torn rag that let loose on a turn. what a scary feeling when the steering wheel just spins like mad and you have no steering. i lucked out i was pullig into my fathers driveway and not in traffic.

[mr48chev]

Put it up on ramps so that you can see/get under it and watch the linkage as your helper gently rocks the steering wheel back and forth.

Start at the rag joint or connection to the box and work your way through the steering. Usually you can see of feel the movement in tie rod ends or the idler arm. One pieces moves before the other instead of both moving together as a unit.

You can also check the lower ball joints by putting the floor jack under the lower control arm pretty close to the tire and jacking it up so that the tire is far enough off the floor to slip a pry bar under it about half way, either lift up on the pry bar so that you can see how much if any the tire moves before it stops. You can watch the movement from under the truck and if it is excessive the ball joints need to be replaced. At the same time you can also grip the tire front and back and check for movement in the linkage and see if there is movement in and out with the upper ball joint. Uppers usually don't give much problem on that suspension if they are lubed on a regular basis unless they have a lot of miles on them. Mostly it is wiggle and watch for movement that shouldn't be there.