Slop in steering wheel

[67cruiser]

I've got a 67 C10 ever since I've bought it there has always been lots of play in the steering wheel. On windy days its hard to keep the thing between the lines. Somebody told me on the steering box there is a adjustment to loosen or tighten the amount of play. Is there an adjuster and if there is, is that a good idea. Thanks

[gyjackson]

There is an adjuster on top of the steering box. It has a flat scew head surrounded by a nut. You have to loosen the nut, then hold it as you tighten the screw. Once you get the slack out, Hold the screw and tighten the nut. Be careful not to overtighten it, as it can cause damage to the gears inside (not to mention freezing up your steering box). I have made adjustments to mine with good results, but have also heard that it isn't recommended. (don't really know why)

[67Fleet]

The adjustment screw on the steering box is one way, but before you do this, check the rest of the components of your steering/front suspension. More than likely there are numerous other reasons as to why it feels "sloppy". They can include ball joints, inner/outer tie rods, end links, etc, etc. These components all have bushings in them or other "wear" items and they are most likely worn and need replacing. As gyjackson stated, overtightening the adjustment screw can be a costly mistake and it's really easy to do that.

[67cruiser]

I just converted the front to disc brakes and replaced the upper and lower ball joints also the inner and outer tie rods. I didn't replace the pittman arm or the other arm on steering linkage(brain fart can't remember the proper name) they both looked to be in good shape when I was under there.

[Ole Blue 68]

I haven't looked but does our steering have a rag joint or a universal?

[67cruiser]

I think it has a rag joint but that seems to be good and secure. When the truck is off, I can turn the wheel and feel the play in it. By that i mean rotating the wheel back and forth with no steering components moving but steering shaft to the steering box.

[cdowns]

that adjusting screw on the box is aat best a temp fix till total internal failure for what you describe// look at gettin maybe upgrading with a new box

[boundstaffpress]

I have adjusted my steering box using this method, and would recomend it. Just don't do a whole lot at a time. maybe a full turn at a time, then drive it for a day or two. CDowns is right, you don't want to freeze things up. Some people get real excited, and turn the screw till it stops then get in and put the hammer down only to experience total steering failure later that day. This is a fine tuning adjustment.

[sneakysnake]

An old thread on the subject
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=187945

[TruckinDaddy]

Thanks for starting this thread. I have been needing to address the same issues. And I would have tightened that adjusting screw ALL the way down without y'alls advice.

[matthufham]

ok you guys talk about the gears freezing up, well i think that's happening to me, and i have quite a bit of slop. during my rebuild of the truck i rebuilt the column, and put on a new coupler, or i guess some call it a rag joint.

my steering is still sloppy and the tie rods could use replacing, but besides that, when i turn left, it makes a terrible noise... like air sucking when you don't have power steering fluid in there, but i do. only when turning left, and every now and then the steering wheel gets stuck in a certain position (turning left it'll get stiff from 12 to 11 o'clock, fine til 9 o clock, stiff til about 8... not exactly but as an example) and twice it's rained real hard and i'll hit a puddle and the wheel will lock up in whatever position it's in until i shake the wheel back and forth for about 20 seconds, then it turns. i think this is the freezing of gears you're talking about. new gearbox?

oh and i have power steering if you couldn't tell.