HELP! Slack in steering! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kickinasphalt · 06-02-2004, 08:02 PM

Just picked up a 72 4x4 that has slack in the steering. You can have the wheels straight forward and move the steering wheel back and forth from about 11:00 to 2:00 position (maybe 30 degrees or so) without the wheels moving. I also can do the same by just grabing the steering shaft from underneath the inner fender. It must be something in the gear box. Any ideas?

cableguy0 · 06-02-2004, 08:13 PM

sounds like it is probably time for a new gear box with that much slop in it

pickup6772 · 06-02-2004, 08:39 PM

BEFORE YOU PULL EVERYTHING APART, TRY TO ADJUST IT FIRST. IT'S SIMPLE.TAKE A 3/16 ALLEN KEY(PREFFERABLY A SOCKET-TYPE FOR BETTER LEVERAGE), AND A 5/8 BOX WRENCH. MAKE SURE THE WHELLS ARE POINTING STRAIGHT, AND THE WHEEL IS CENTERED BEFORE YOU START. WHILE HOLDING THE ADJUSTING SHAFT WITH THE ALLEN KEYBACK OFF THE LOCKING NUT 1/4 TURN, AND HOLD IT THERE. NOW TIGHTEN THE ADJUSTING SHAFT TILL IT IS JUST SNUG- DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN IT!! NOW BACK OFF THE SHAFT 1/4 TO 1/3 TURN-NO MORE. NOW WHILE HOLDING THE ADJUSTING SHAFT, TIGHTEN THE LOCK-NUT, AND YOU'RE DONE. ALSO CHECK THE REST OF THE FRONT END. IT'S POSSIBLE, THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE THE STEERING BOX AT ALL.

franko72 · 06-02-2004, 10:33 PM

tightening the adjusting nut will buy you a little time. It will improve slightly until the bearings fall out and your steering goes out. Learned that one from a bad experience.I didnt over tighten the gear box either.

**chevy71super** · 06-03-2004, 12:24 AM

Check the box to the frame mounts. The box may be moving on the frame. If you are lucky the bolts will just be loose, if you are unlucky (like me) the frame is either cracked or the bolt holes are rounded it. Common problem with most 4X4's that were "used".
Doug

kickinasphalt · 06-03-2004, 01:44 AM

I tried adjusting it and it didn't change anything. And no its not mounted loosely or anything. What is inside the box that commonly wears out and creates slack?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 06-03-2004, 06:26 AM

Your box has an unusual amount of play in it. Outside of the sector shaft and steer shaft bearings, the gears can wear. I would replace the box.

Jim

06-02-2004, 08:02 PM	#1
kickinasphalt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: North Dakota Posts: 351	HELP! Slack in steering! Just picked up a 72 4x4 that has slack in the steering. You can have the wheels straight forward and move the steering wheel back and forth from about 11:00 to 2:00 position (maybe 30 degrees or so) without the wheels moving. I also can do the same by just grabing the steering shaft from underneath the inner fender. It must be something in the gear box. Any ideas? __________________ 1972 K-10 Longbox,6" lift w/35's/350/SM465/NP205/3.73 1972 C-10 Longbox,350/350 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP FOR SALE: 1971 K-10 Longbox,350/SM465/NP205

06-02-2004, 08:13 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	sounds like it is probably time for a new gear box with that much slop in it __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

06-02-2004, 08:39 PM	#3
pickup6772 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: MASTIC BEACH, long island, ny Posts: 362	BEFORE YOU PULL EVERYTHING APART, TRY TO ADJUST IT FIRST. IT'S SIMPLE.TAKE A 3/16 ALLEN KEY(PREFFERABLY A SOCKET-TYPE FOR BETTER LEVERAGE), AND A 5/8 BOX WRENCH. MAKE SURE THE WHELLS ARE POINTING STRAIGHT, AND THE WHEEL IS CENTERED BEFORE YOU START. WHILE HOLDING THE ADJUSTING SHAFT WITH THE ALLEN KEYBACK OFF THE LOCKING NUT 1/4 TURN, AND HOLD IT THERE. NOW TIGHTEN THE ADJUSTING SHAFT TILL IT IS JUST SNUG- DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN IT!! NOW BACK OFF THE SHAFT 1/4 TO 1/3 TURN-NO MORE. NOW WHILE HOLDING THE ADJUSTING SHAFT, TIGHTEN THE LOCK-NUT, AND YOU'RE DONE. ALSO CHECK THE REST OF THE FRONT END. IT'S POSSIBLE, THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE THE STEERING BOX AT ALL. __________________ MIKE '67 C/10 2WD LWB '89 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS LS COUNTRY TILL THE DAY I DIE

06-02-2004, 10:33 PM	#4
franko72 Franko72 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cincinnati,Ohio Posts: 471	tightening the adjusting nut will buy you a little time. It will improve slightly until the bearings fall out and your steering goes out. Learned that one from a bad experience.I didnt over tighten the gear box either. __________________ 1972 C20 cheyenne Super 402 BB/400 turbo LWB A/C Tilt, Cruise Control, Saddle tanks, Tach My Home Page Better to burn out than it is to rust

06-03-2004, 01:44 AM	#6
kickinasphalt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: North Dakota Posts: 351	I tried adjusting it and it didn't change anything. And no its not mounted loosely or anything. What is inside the box that commonly wears out and creates slack? __________________ 1972 K-10 Longbox,6" lift w/35's/350/SM465/NP205/3.73 1972 C-10 Longbox,350/350 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP FOR SALE: 1971 K-10 Longbox,350/SM465/NP205

06-03-2004, 12:24 AM	#5
chevy71super Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: So Cal Posts: 658	Check the box to the frame mounts. The box may be moving on the frame. If you are lucky the bolts will just be loose, if you are unlucky (like me) the frame is either cracked or the bolt holes are rounded it. Common problem with most 4X4's that were "used". Doug

06-03-2004, 06:26 AM	#7
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Your box has an unusual amount of play in it. Outside of the sector shaft and steer shaft bearings, the gears can wear. I would replace the box. Jim



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