Rag Joint Problem

[DaSchlange]

Well, I bought a rebuild kit for this problem to fix the swaying of my truck when I go around problems. Well that didn't fix it, obviously the problem is something else now, but I do not know what for sure yet. However, I have run into a different problem. I don't know if it is air in my power steering lines or not. When I turn the wheel it's smooth until I get to a certain point in either direction and it gets rough then smooth again. Like the steering column is off center causing it to rub at only close points. However, I had someone turn the steering wheel for me while I watched the joint and it doesn't rub or anything against my power steering gearbox. I don't quite know what I did, or rather didn't do. Any help on this would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Luvlegs]

Just to be clear, the truck was swaying when you went around things... as in the truck body "rolled" when you went around a pot hole for example? Need a bit more info. Do you have power or manual steering? I think we're looking at two different issues here....

[cdowns]

do you have a front sway bar?

has the adjusting nut on the steering box been fooled with?

[DaSchlange]

Just to be clear, the truck was swaying when you went around things... as in the truck body "rolled" when you went around a pot hole for example? Need a bit more info. Do you have power or manual steering? I think we're looking at two different issues here....

Ok, whenever I am going around a corner at about 50mph or better, it "shakes." Like as if I were to puposely steer left and right repeatedly back and forth to give the wiggle effect. That's what it's doing.

do you have a front sway bar?

has the adjusting nut on the steering box been fooled with?

Yes, and no I havn't touched it. However whenever this snow clears it would probably be a good idea to crawl under there and check for loose bolts.

Neither one of these addresses the rag joint problem though. As to why it has stiff steering at certain points.

[cdowns]

if the adjusting nut on steering box has been overtightened by someone(prior owner?) to take slop out of the box the result is much the same as what you are complaining about that's why i ask because ragjoint wood not have that effect you complain about

[geezer#99]

Check your idler arm. It's probably the cure for both your problems.

[1970 Bowtie]

I dont think I would attempted to take a corner at 50mph,even with front and rear sway bars.Unless the suspension was completely rebuilt to handle it.Sounds like fish tailing to me.

[DaSchlange]

Lol no not fish tailing, This is a long corner, not a sharp one. As in holding the steering wheel turned for a good 5-7 seconds or so.

And which adjusting nut are you talking about on the steering box? Forgive me I know my way around this stuff, but still very new to it all.

[1970 Bowtie]

lol,didnt mean to sound like a wise a**,words are easily taken out of context when reading them on a cpu.He means the nut on top of the sterring box,use a hex wrench or allen to adjust.

[DaSchlange]

Oh ok, no hard feelings anyhow, lol. Yeah I'll have to adjust that. I think I am just going to order a new rag joint anyhow because I want to rule out the fact that I may have rebuilt the stupid thing wrong with the kit. I mean, it works, but it still doesn't work right.

[1970 Bowtie]

It does not sound like the rag joint is the problem,I pulled my steering column to shorten it and used the old rag jiont without problems.Lets start simple first,when was the last time you replaced the power sterring belt?Is your power steering leaking causing the belt to slip on the power steering pulley,when you turn corners or go around curves causing a chattering effect in the steering?

[DaSchlange]

Hm...must be the young blood in me, never thought to look at the belt closely... Well see I also changed the sender and return hoses on the gear box and reservoir tank.. The change was far from a clean one, it was quite sloppy with fluid going everywhere. Would that cause a big problem?

[1970 Bowtie]

Originally Posted by DaSchlange

Hm...must be the young blood in me, never thought to look at the belt closely... Well see I also changed the sender and return hoses on the gear box and reservoir tank.. The change was far from a clean one, it was quite sloppy with fluid going everywhere. Would that cause a big problem?

Ok,this is a good start,you say you changed the ps lines and tank and it was sloppy,power steering fluid on the belt is bad.Go to the parts store and get a new belt,if you have a napa or carquest nearby that may be your best bet.Get a can of brake parts cleaner and when you pull the old belt spray the pulleys on the ps. unit and the crank shaft.You also may want to grab a can of belt dressing to spray on the belt when you reinstall.See if this helps and let me know.Mike

[DaSchlange]

Alright will do man, thanks a lot!

[Dark Knight]

Just to rule out another problem, jack the front end of the truck up. Crack open the power steering cap on the reservoir. Crank up the truck and turn your wheels all the way to the left and all the way to the right. This will ensure that there's no air in the lines.

[Shyguy]

I had similar problems with my '92 K-3500. I had the idler arm replaced and the front end aligned and have not had a problem since and that was probably 10 years ago.

The truck had less than 40k miles on it when this happened.