Sloppy Steering - Help! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KellerMAC · 07-25-2011, 08:46 PM

Finishing up my frame-off restoration on a 72 LWD C10 and we did not touch the front end suspension or the steering wheel shaft. We thought we would address that once we could drive the truck and see what it needs - well, we are at that place and the steering wheel has a lot of slack or slop in it. You can move the steering wheel left and right very easily without moving the tires. This is the case both sitting still and rolling.

What normally causes this problem on a 72 C10 long bed with power steering, so I can head in the right direction? Pitman arm, tie rods, steering shaft, steering box, power steering pump, power steering pump belt, etc?

Thanks in advance for all assistance in this matter.

KellerMac

**screaminchevypickup** · 07-25-2011, 09:06 PM

Gear box
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Lee H · 07-25-2011, 09:14 PM

Have someone slowly turn the wheel without turning the tires and watch each steering component. See what moves and start there. Just went throw this on my 72 with power steering. After new control arm bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman and idler arms, and a reman steering box it's tight and responsive.
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Lee H · 07-25-2011, 10:53 PM

Don't forget the rag joint.
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KellerMAC · 07-26-2011, 07:10 AM

Thanks guys - does the rag joint make that big of a difference?

PanelDeland · 07-26-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellerMAC

Thanks guys - does the rag joint make that big of a difference?

It can.I had one break.It will get really sloppy then.

ubtripn · 07-26-2011, 08:50 AM

I have ALWAYS got a ton of bang fo my buck with a new Idler Arm first. On one truck I had probably half the steering wheel of play and you could literally not keep it on the road and the idler arm took it down to under a couple of inches. Just my take but I always start with that and they are not much. Then take it from there if there is still too much play.

Wrenchbender Ret · 07-26-2011, 03:24 PM

Like Lee says get under it & pull & tug & make a note of all the things that have any slack in them. Watch the pitman arm. That is a comon place for a lot of slack. Put a jack under each lower control arm. That frees up the ball joints & upper shaft. Push & pull the wheels & check for looseness. Watch the lower shaft on the steering gear as someone turns the str. wheel back & forth. If it has side motion the brg. is bad. If not you can adjust the secter adj. on top by turn it down a litle. Just 1/8 -1/4 turn is all you want to do. Its probably a combiation of all the above suggestions.

KellerMAC · 07-26-2011, 05:26 PM

Thanks Guys! I will heed all your advice and see if I can solve my problem!

rsavage · 07-26-2011, 06:15 PM

Lay underneath it while someone is slowly turning the wheel right and left and you will be able to spot what is worn. Look closely at the steering box too to make sure its mounting bolts haven't loosened up letting the box move some. I had that happen before and replaced a lot of components before having someone turn it while I was watching.

**oldgold70c10** · 07-26-2011, 06:46 PM

Loose wheelbearing will make it sloppy too. It will also give it a "wandering" feel when driving.

07-25-2011, 08:46 PM	#1
KellerMAC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 143	Sloppy Steering - Help! Finishing up my frame-off restoration on a 72 LWD C10 and we did not touch the front end suspension or the steering wheel shaft. We thought we would address that once we could drive the truck and see what it needs - well, we are at that place and the steering wheel has a lot of slack or slop in it. You can move the steering wheel left and right very easily without moving the tires. This is the case both sitting still and rolling. What normally causes this problem on a 72 C10 long bed with power steering, so I can head in the right direction? Pitman arm, tie rods, steering shaft, steering box, power steering pump, power steering pump belt, etc? Thanks in advance for all assistance in this matter. KellerMac __________________ Texas - Don't Let The Size Scare You!

07-25-2011, 09:06 PM	#2
screaminchevypickup Laid Back Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: mcloud ok Posts: 2,658	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Gear box Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 72 chevy swb Direct dealers for.. Vintage Air, Porterbuilt, Billet Specialties,Budnik wheels ,eddie motorsports, raceline wheels, intro wheels, Dakota Digital, precision, unisteer, Trimparts, and many many more... Laid Back Recreations.. Full restoration shop and full paint and body.. Kyle http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=574629

07-25-2011, 09:14 PM	#3
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,141	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Have someone slowly turn the wheel without turning the tires and watch each steering component. See what moves and start there. Just went throw this on my 72 with power steering. After new control arm bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman and idler arms, and a reman steering box it's tight and responsive. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

07-25-2011, 10:53 PM	#4
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,141	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Don't forget the rag joint. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

07-26-2011, 07:10 AM	#5
KellerMAC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 143	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Thanks guys - does the rag joint make that big of a difference? __________________ Texas - Don't Let The Size Scare You!

07-26-2011, 08:50 AM	#7
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! I have ALWAYS got a ton of bang fo my buck with a new Idler Arm first. On one truck I had probably half the steering wheel of play and you could literally not keep it on the road and the idler arm took it down to under a couple of inches. Just my take but I always start with that and they are not much. Then take it from there if there is still too much play.

07-26-2011, 03:24 PM	#8
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,206	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Like Lee says get under it & pull & tug & make a note of all the things that have any slack in them. Watch the pitman arm. That is a comon place for a lot of slack. Put a jack under each lower control arm. That frees up the ball joints & upper shaft. Push & pull the wheels & check for looseness. Watch the lower shaft on the steering gear as someone turns the str. wheel back & forth. If it has side motion the brg. is bad. If not you can adjust the secter adj. on top by turn it down a litle. Just 1/8 -1/4 turn is all you want to do. Its probably a combiation of all the above suggestions.

07-26-2011, 05:26 PM	#9
KellerMAC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Keller, TX Posts: 143	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Thanks Guys! I will heed all your advice and see if I can solve my problem! __________________ Texas - Don't Let The Size Scare You!

07-26-2011, 06:15 PM	#10
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Lay underneath it while someone is slowly turning the wheel right and left and you will be able to spot what is worn. Look closely at the steering box too to make sure its mounting bolts haven't loosened up letting the box move some. I had that happen before and replaced a lot of components before having someone turn it while I was watching. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

07-26-2011, 06:46 PM	#11
oldgold70c10 Who's got steelies? Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Morrison, Oklahoma Posts: 1,026	Re: Sloppy Steering - Help! Loose wheelbearing will make it sloppy too. It will also give it a "wandering" feel when driving. __________________ 1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel



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