loose steering

[macdodd]

I have a '69 chevy c10. The steering is sloppy. Which would be better rebuilt or replace. What is the approximate cost on either? Thanks,,Bill

[michael bustamante]

depends on your plans and what you have already. are you adding power steering, are you going to convert to disk? if so what kit are you using or are you going to use parts from a doner truck?

['68OrangeSunshine]

If you have the Standard [manual] Saginaw gearbox, you can try to tighten up the action by loosening the big nut around a slot screw, then tightening up the screw, [but not too hard] then locking the big nut back up.
If this trick doesn't work you may need to R+R the gear box. It can be replaced with new, or rebuilt by you, or exchanged for a rebuilt Saginaw by the parts store.

[davepl]

I find it's almost never the box unless the suspension has already been rebuilt, as the other parts wear first. I've never had luck trying to take any slop out with the backlash or whatever that adjustment is.

Ball joints, tie rod ends, centerlink, pitman arm, idler arm. You can either inspect and determine which need to be replaced, or you could just replace them all if its time (like over 70,000 miles in a 1/2 ton for the ball joints, around 100K for the various other parts).

If a rag joint starts to go, usually due to oil or other contaminants, it can also add slop.

To determine which:

I would put it up on jackstands. Grab the tire at 9 and 3 oclock. Rotate back and forth lightly. If the other wheel doesn't move with it like it's all one unit, I believe that rules out the steering box. If, however, they operate in unison with no slop then it could be the box or the rag joint. This little exercise is really to tell you if what you're feeling in the wheel is before or after the steering box.

[franken]

What davepl said.
Also, have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth in the slop range while you look at movement starting at the rag joint.
These aren't modern rack and pinion systems, so they don't have the same feel as new cars.

[Grumpy old man]

When adjusting a steering box you back off the lock nut and adjust the slotted screw 1/4 turn at a time then tighten the nut and cycle the box a few times turn to turn before attempting to adjust it again . it won't work if you just try to tighten it down all at one time .

[snipescastle2]

look real close at your Idler arm and Pittman arm, drag link and all the other suspension components, the idler arm will cause your steering to wander a lot for sure, but worn ball joints/tie rods will also....what kind of wear do you see on your tires? can you drag your hand across the tread and not have it feel like a saw blade?, cupped, wear o0n the inside/outside edges? a little more info would help...
HTH,
Ben

[macdodd]

Tires look good,,,,I haven't put it up on a rack yet,,,so I'll try the suggestions and go from there. Hopefully,,,tightening the adjustment nut will help. Thanks for all the input,,,Bill

[macdodd]

Note,,,,my truck has power steering and disc brakes in front,,,

[kehstr]

Power steering boxes don't have the nut you can adjust. Just have someone wiggle the steering wheel and watch all of the steering linkage to see what is loose. Try it with the truck sitting flat on the ground with the engine off. If you don't see anything, then try it with the truck running. If you still don't see anything, then you need to jack the truck up and look at what you can see.

[michael bustamante]

ill bet the ball joints are wearing down or the end links are worn

[XwalkerX]

i just had to deal with this when I bought my truck

for me it was a combination of the rag joint and also the bushing on that shaft that's right below the brake fluid reservoir.

I ended up just buying the whole shaft that included a rag joint from truck and car shop.

everythings been good since.

[70STOVEBOLT]

I would bet on ball joints. I replaced all the wear items at the same time, EXCEPT the ball joints and I still had a lot of play at the steering wheel. It didn't wander all over the road just had play in the wheel. Replaced the ball joints and it drives great. Good luck with figuring out your issue.

[89AKurt]

Bookmarking for future reference. What is a "rag joint"?

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 89AKurt

Bookmarking for future reference. What is a "rag joint"?

"Rag Joint" is one of those mechanic's slang terms like 'Z-Bar' that's more descriptive than the straight technical nomenclature. It's the Steering Coupler that goes between the steering column and the Steering Gear box. Usually made of laminated layers of rubberized cloth and steel fittings, it sometimes gets ragged on the edges when old.
See LMC catalog for p/n:34-0745 for an illustration.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

"Rag Joint" is one of those mechanic's slang terms like 'Z-Bar' that's more descriptive than the straight technical nomenclature. It's the Steering Coupler that goes between the steering column and the Steering Gear box. Usually made of laminated layers of rubberized cloth and steel fittings, it sometimes gets ragged on the edges when old.
See LMC catalog for p/n:34-0745 for an illustration.

Thank you for answering.
BTW: I grew up in Tucson, went to Tanque Verde, Emily Gray first class to graduate, Sahuaro H.S.