alot of play in 79 heavy half - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Charliepennington · 01-19-2014, 04:10 PM

there is alot of play and wandering in steering.I noticed that I can turn my steering shaft about an 1/8 of an inch both ways , is that normal?

andrewmp6 · 01-20-2014, 01:33 AM

No it shouldn't be that bad you probably have a lot of wore out parts.Check the tie rod ends and idler arm for play.

Charliepennington · 01-20-2014, 01:47 AM

thanks.ill check that out

nico · 01-20-2014, 11:02 AM

Look at the pitman arm and idler arm first... They always seem to develop play before anything else.

Edahall · 01-20-2014, 11:51 AM

Check to make sure that the frame is not cracked around the steering box.

Charliepennington · 01-20-2014, 01:37 PM

hell I really hope that's not the problem, if so, May as well junk it

Edahall · 01-20-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charliepennington

hell I really hope that's not the problem, if so, May as well junk it

No need to junk it if that's the problem. PM me (if needed) for low cost repair procedure that doesn't involve welding or removing the fender.

Billy81 · 01-20-2014, 08:51 PM

Also check the steering coupler (Rag Joint) and the input shaft on the steering box. I had a lot of play in my steering on my 76 but couldn't find anything wrong with the front end. So i decided to check out my steering box and noticed the rubber disc on steering coupler was shot. And while i was taking the coupler off i noticed the steering box had a lot of play in the input shaft. You could move the shaft side to side, the shop that rebuilt the box for me said the bearing that the shaft rides in had broken. Whats funny is the box never leaked or made any grinding noises it was just very sloppy almost like i was driving with a flat tire.

Charliepennington · 01-20-2014, 09:42 PM

can you buy the steering boxes at autozone etc?

Billy81 · 01-21-2014, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charliepennington

can you buy the steering boxes at autozone etc?

Yeah you can buy re-manufactured boxes from most parts stores.

motornut · 01-21-2014, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy81

Also check the steering coupler (Rag Joint).

sure helped mine,different types too check the keyway/hole size
depending how bad it is depends how much flex is there,
as it's the only connection,and it's ez to replace i'd start with that

01-19-2014, 04:10 PM	#1
Charliepennington Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis,indiana Posts: 7	alot of play in 79 heavy half there is alot of play and wandering in steering.I noticed that I can turn my steering shaft about an 1/8 of an inch both ways , is that normal?

01-20-2014, 01:33 AM	#2
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: alot of play in 79 heavy half No it shouldn't be that bad you probably have a lot of wore out parts.Check the tie rod ends and idler arm for play.

01-20-2014, 01:47 AM	#3
Charliepennington Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis,indiana Posts: 7	Re: alot of play in 79 heavy half thanks.ill check that out

01-20-2014, 11:02 AM	#4
nico Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Marietta, OK Posts: 153	Re: alot of play in 79 heavy half Look at the pitman arm and idler arm first... They always seem to develop play before anything else.

01-20-2014, 11:51 AM	#5
Edahall Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Goliad, TX Posts: 672	Re: alot of play in 79 heavy half Check to make sure that the frame is not cracked around the steering box. __________________ 1990 ¾ ton 4x4 Chevy Suburban -Cummins Diesel - 12 valve - factory rebuilt -6 speed bullet proof manual transmission - NV5600 -Gear Vendors Overdrive - HX35 Holset Turbo -NP205 iron transfer case -3.73 gears -2" Lift

01-20-2014, 01:37 PM	#6
Charliepennington Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis,indiana Posts: 7	Re: alot of play in 79 heavy half hell I really hope that's not the problem, if so, May as well junk it

01-20-2014, 08:51 PM	#8
Billy81 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Medford,Oregon Posts: 390	Re: alot of play in 79 heavy half Also check the steering coupler (Rag Joint) and the input shaft on the steering box. I had a lot of play in my steering on my 76 but couldn't find anything wrong with the front end. So i decided to check out my steering box and noticed the rubber disc on steering coupler was shot. And while i was taking the coupler off i noticed the steering box had a lot of play in the input shaft. You could move the shaft side to side, the shop that rebuilt the box for me said the bearing that the shaft rides in had broken. Whats funny is the box never leaked or made any grinding noises it was just very sloppy almost like i was driving with a flat tire. __________________

01-20-2014, 09:42 PM	#9
Charliepennington Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Indianapolis,indiana Posts: 7	Re: alot of play in 79 heavy half can you buy the steering boxes at autozone etc?



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