All new but still sloppy steering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jd21476 · 05-02-2015, 04:20 PM

On my '73 K20, I replaced the tie rod ends, drag link, steering shaft busing, steering stabilizer and even bought and installed a rebuilt quick ratio steering gear from LMC but my steering still has alot of play in it. I adjusted the screw ont he steering box to try to get most of the play out but it still has enough to where it is difficult to drive.

What am I missing or is this just how these trucks drive?

Titomars · 05-02-2015, 05:37 PM

Rag joint, intermediate upper joint worn out, possible wheel bearings loose, possible loose spindle(s), kingpins or ball joints worn out. Caster issues, under-inflated tires. all of the above can give you that feeling, some more so than others.

'68 Newtricks · 05-03-2015, 03:51 AM

leave the engine off and lay under the truck, have someone turn the steering wheel and look for the loose area. Titomars mentioned the steering shaft and rag joint, two biggest problem spots. He/she also mentioned caster issues, which along with toe issues can cause havoc. Also, check the frame around the steering box for cracks. Tilt or solid column? Tilts can have a worn out joint that causes a sloppy feeling.

You can check castor and toe by yourself easily. I don't trust shops to do it, not with machines and such. Too easy to do it correctly yourself.

motornut · 05-03-2015, 09:14 AM

Yes a new rag joint can help,did for me
it's easy/cheap to replace,if your lower shaft slide into the upper
be sure the replacement key way (flat spot) matches , you don't want to turn your steering.

craig113 · 05-04-2015, 12:45 AM

Being that its a K series, also check all the leaf spring and shackle bushings. I had a death wobble at higher speeds until I changed mine. Big difference.

y5mgisi · 05-04-2015, 02:46 PM

This was the source of my loose steering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng8GXGvr26g

enaberif · 05-04-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

This was the source of my loose steering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng8GXGvr26g

HOLY CRAP

y5mgisi · 05-04-2015, 02:53 PM

Yea, so new bushings, new rag joint, Make double sure there are no cracks in the frame and that none of the spring hanger/crossmember rivets have worked loose.

motornut · 05-05-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

This was the source of my loose steering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng8GXGvr26g

wow

y5mgisi · 05-05-2015, 11:53 AM

Yep. And that was a poly bushing!

05-02-2015, 04:20 PM	#1
jd21476 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 236	All new but still sloppy steering On my '73 K20, I replaced the tie rod ends, drag link, steering shaft busing, steering stabilizer and even bought and installed a rebuilt quick ratio steering gear from LMC but my steering still has alot of play in it. I adjusted the screw ont he steering box to try to get most of the play out but it still has enough to where it is difficult to drive. What am I missing or is this just how these trucks drive? __________________ 1973 Chevy K20

05-02-2015, 05:37 PM	#2
Titomars Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Santa Rosa, Ca. Posts: 539	Re: All new but still sloppy steering Rag joint, intermediate upper joint worn out, possible wheel bearings loose, possible loose spindle(s), kingpins or ball joints worn out. Caster issues, under-inflated tires. all of the above can give you that feeling, some more so than others. __________________ 1977 Chevrolet C/10 Silverado. Step-Side, Factory 454, TH400, 3.73 Posi 12 Bolt. 1975 Chevrolet El Camino. 350, TH400, 3.08 Posi 10 Bolt.

05-03-2015, 03:51 AM	#3
'68 Newtricks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles area :( Posts: 499	Re: All new but still sloppy steering leave the engine off and lay under the truck, have someone turn the steering wheel and look for the loose area. Titomars mentioned the steering shaft and rag joint, two biggest problem spots. He/she also mentioned caster issues, which along with toe issues can cause havoc. Also, check the frame around the steering box for cracks. Tilt or solid column? Tilts can have a worn out joint that causes a sloppy feeling. You can check castor and toe by yourself easily. I don't trust shops to do it, not with machines and such. Too easy to do it correctly yourself. __________________ '68 C10 SWB '85 K30 Blazer

05-03-2015, 09:14 AM	#4
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: All new but still sloppy steering Yes a new rag joint can help,did for me it's easy/cheap to replace,if your lower shaft slide into the upper be sure the replacement key way (flat spot) matches , you don't want to turn your steering. __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

05-04-2015, 12:45 AM	#5
craig113 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 106	Re: All new but still sloppy steering Being that its a K series, also check all the leaf spring and shackle bushings. I had a death wobble at higher speeds until I changed mine. Big difference. __________________ 84 K30 CC LB Fleet side 454/400/205/14 bolt Rebuilt 2200 miles 91 K15 Z71 SB 350/700r/241c/12 bolt 372k miles 96 K15 Sub 350/4L60/243c/10 bolt 333k miles

05-04-2015, 02:46 PM	#6
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: All new but still sloppy steering This was the source of my loose steering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng8GXGvr26g __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

05-04-2015, 02:53 PM	#8
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: All new but still sloppy steering Yea, so new bushings, new rag joint, Make double sure there are no cracks in the frame and that none of the spring hanger/crossmember rivets have worked loose. __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

05-05-2015, 11:53 AM	#10
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: All new but still sloppy steering Yep. And that was a poly bushing! __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.



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