09-14-2020, 11:31 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
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Steering slop issue
I've searched the forums, but I still am at a loss.
My steering has about 1/8th turn slop in either direction before the steering is engaged. It makes for a very interesting drive when turning at highway speed. The wheel also doesn't want to self-correct. Here's where everything is at: New top/bottom control arm ball joints New inner tie rods New outer tie rods New pitman arm New steering box Confirmed the rag joint is in good condition and not loose. Confirmed the cross joint is in the right orientation (others have noticed they've installed it facing the wrong way) 4 separate alignments. Everything is in the green, including some aggressive positive caster. Does anyone here have insight into what I might be missing that can give me this much slop? Thanks a heap. Tommy |
09-14-2020, 02:58 PM | #2 |
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Location: Oklahoma City, OK
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Re: Steering slop issue
Tilt column? If so, there are some screws at the bottom of the column that often back out enough to cause a lot of slop. Unfortunately, they are inside and you have to pull most of the column guts to get to them.
Don't know if the non-tilt version has the same screws. |
09-14-2020, 03:10 PM | #3 |
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Re: Steering slop issue
Get someone behind the steering wheel and let them work the wheel back and forth,,while you watch each joint and connection in the system...but a tiny bit of looseness in several spots can add up and may be hard to detect...
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09-14-2020, 03:12 PM | #4 |
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Re: Steering slop issue
Idler arm?
Cracked frame?
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Current/past Chevy/GMC trucks: 1958 Chevy C-60; 1965 GMC C-50; 1965 Chevy C-10; 1971 Chevy K-10; 1973 Chevy K-20; 1976 GMC C-20; 1977 Chevy C-10 Suburban; 1980 Chevy K-10; 1989 Chevy K1500; 1991 GMC V1500 Suburban; 2016 Chevy K2500 HD Other vehicles: 1988 Jeep XJ; 2011 Toyota 4Runner |
09-14-2020, 04:24 PM | #5 |
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Re: Steering slop issue
1/4" total? Thats what I'd call normal slop for a non-steering rack vehicle. The steering box has a little slop, and every linkage has movement in it right down to the wheel bearings. I'd say 1/8" in one direction is remarkably good.
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09-14-2020, 04:32 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: North-central Virginia
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Re: Steering slop issue
I understood the OP as saying 1/8 of a TURN. Which would work out to about 6 inches of slop.
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1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome! |
09-14-2020, 04:37 PM | #7 |
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Re: Steering slop issue
What kind of truck? lowered c10 on low-profiles? Lifted k30 on mud boggers?
I second what mongo said. Look for movement while someone else is turning the wheel. Possibly the steering box is too loose. They can be adjusted. I'm sure too, that there's a lot of difference between a generic RockAuto box and a RedHead box. Definitely check the frame for cracks. Even if it's not cracked, a steering box brace can still stiffen the steering up a bit, by making sure the box can't move. Have you checked the ball joints/king pins for excess movement?
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1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome! |
09-15-2020, 06:33 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: Jul 2016
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Re: Steering slop issue
Thanks for the replies.
84 gmc 1500 rwd. 5.5/7 drop on 215/70r15. I've gotten under the hood with the truck on the ground and running, and have been able to turn the intermediate shaft with my hand. This is the slop I'm feeling behind the wheel. Nothing at the rag joint or box suggests something is loose. |
09-15-2020, 07:16 AM | #9 |
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Re: Steering slop issue
It sounds like the steering box isn't adjusted right. It's usually not recommended that the owner adjust them but in your case you might have to try it. I tightened up the box on my camaro only 1/4 turn and it made it too tight and twitchy. It's a delicate adjustment.
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