Play in steering old 55-59 trucks normal? Need input.

[yellow400ex05]

With factory style manual steering setup is it normal to have a slight play in the steering when turning it where it will turn say an inch before it actually turns? How much play is normal. I'm just guessing its got about that much slop in the wheel/steering. Otherwise the truck handles fine its just a bit iffy when hitting rough roads and bump tryin to keep her steady. Can you adjust the "slack" on these trucks?

[Rednek13x]

id say yes, mine was like that, diffidently makes things interesting while driving!

[dwcsr]

its common but not normal. you should have no play.

[sqrlnts]

I daily drive my stock lowered 57 steering POS every damn day. Have done for over the last year. Compared to a new vehicle, steering is more of a suggestion, and once you make the suggestion road conditions may give you something different than what you asked for. Your slop doesn't sound extreme to me.

Wheel slop can be many things, yours sounds pretty normal. Yes you can adjust your steering box. You could also ensure the rest of your tie rod ends are good. steering box is tight to the frame, leaf spring shackles are good, hubs are tight and greased, pitman arm and drag link is tight and link level if your truck is stock height, also ensure your running proper tire pressure.

Just a few to mention. We are lucky here and have smooth roads. I can't imagine trying to drive my truck anywhere that has rough weathered (forget country) roads. In fact I probably wouldn't without a suspension redo.

[magicoolbus]

I would recommend a complete rebuild. I did mine and it was pretty easy. Only thing I had to send out was RnR the bushings.

[_Ogre]

only an inch? sounds pretty good, compared to some of the junk i've driven over the years

[OrrieG]

I'd start with adjusting the steering box then get a helper and start looking for slop at each joint from steering column to tie rod ends. could be a combination of many small increments that add up to a big movement. I drew up a sketch on my fancy computer, on a 16" wheel 1 " of wheel movement equal 1/16" at the outside circumference of a 1" steering shaft.

[yellow400ex05]

im a bit off its more like 1.5 inches or so of slack in steering response.

anybody got any instructions/step by step info on how to adjust these steering boxes?

[sqrlnts]

Honestly 1.5" doesn't sound bad, now if you mean 1.5 turns then you might need some help........
Try the adjustment below to see if it helps.

Adjustment is here

Full on rebuild is here.

[OrrieG]

There is a nut with a screw in the center in the box. Jack up front so both wheels are off the ground. Loosen nut, then turn screw, clockwise I believe, while moving steering wheel back and forth. It should start to tighten up. When you have little or no slack go about half a turn more and tighten nut will holding screw in place. If you feel the ballbearings binding, back off until they are free. Run box thru full range to check for binding.

[oldcouple]

My old 57 wandered all over, Replaced the fluid with STP and a couple of pumps of heavy weight grease, worked wonders.

[yellow400ex05]

Originally Posted by magicoolbus

I would recommend a complete rebuild. I did mine and it was pretty easy. Only thing I had to send out was RnR the bushings.

so who sells the rebuild kit? The adjustment is maxed out on my truck. so i need to revamp it.

[imjeff]

You may find it's not as tight as you'd like even after a rebuild. Those nearly 60 year old boxes boxes will never come close to even the 40 year old boxes, let alone the newer cars. It's certainly worth a shot, but you might find someone local that's had and restored these give it a drive and some feedback. Steering is one of those difficult to describe subjective things. Good luck to you!

Jeff