Steering question

[Redfish]

I have a question,,, I really didn't think much about it till the wife drove the truck the other day and said something about it,,, its going to be a steering question

When I got my 1987 R-10 a couple of years ago,,, the plan has always been to re store it,,, kinda hot rod it a bit,,, but keep it as stock as I can,,, its my daily,,, when I got the truck,,, I pretty much think everything mechanical on it was original,,, for this question,,, that means all the steering components, bushings, steering box,,, everything,,, that being said,,, I had everything mechanical re placed on the truck when I had it re stored except for the transmission and the rear end gears,,, the transmission had been re built a year or so ago ,,,

The steering wheel had a lot of play in it ,, I would say if you turned the wheel to the right or left from the 12 o'clock position,,, you would be at 1 o'clock or 11 o'clock,,, maybe a bit more,,, before the wheel would turn the truck to the right or left. I was used to it,, I drove the truck daily to work,,, wasn't far 5 min's from the house,,, and the truck was slated to start its restoration. I had everything in the steering replaced,, with the exception of the steering column itself. I replaced from the rag joint down.

When I got the truck back into my hands,, going on three weeks ago ,,, after a year of restoration,,, paint and mechanical,,, the steering was a ton better and I didn't think to much about it,,, Soooo, the wife has to keep the truck and drive it to her work the other day,,, her Camaro was in the shop for the day,,, She gets home from work,,

I ask her what she thought,,, thinking she was going to say it is awesome She said she liked everything except the steering said it had to much play in it So,,, I take the truck out for another drive,, paying attn. to the steering this time,,, Yea, it does have some play in it,,, to the right and left,,, but way farrr less than it did before the mechanical work was done on the truck. I am thinking that the wife is just used to her Camaro,,, that turns on a dime,,, and told her that the truck has 1987 steering components on it,,, not state of the art steering like her Camaro ,,, and that this was to be expected,,, I am still going to talk to the mechanic about it though,,, to see if I am right and that this steering play is to be expected on the truck.

So ,, I ask my mechanic about it the other day,,, someone had told me there was a way to tighten up the new steering box,,, I trust my mechanic,,, he takes pride in his work and really did a awesome job on my truck. He told me that there wasn't to much more he could do to tighten the steering up ,,, more than it already was,,,and that it is what I thought,,, 1987 steering components,, its not that bad,,, but it is there,,,

So my question,,, is this little bit of play in the steering normal,,, I don't want ya'll thinking there is a lot of play,,, its just a bit,,, but it is there,,,

[chrismoore701]

I am not sure on your box, but on my 63 corvette there is a from what I remember a jam nut and a bolt with a slot. Loosen the nut, tighten the bolt and tighten the nut and drive. research it and see if I am correct

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

I am not sure on your box, but on my 63 corvette there is a from what I remember a jam nut and a bolt with a slot. Loosen the nut, tighten the bolt and tighten the nut and drive. research it and see if I am correct

Right, 1/4 turn will make a huge difference. If you go too much you will have no center and it will be twitchy, maybe like a Camaro.

[Redfish]

I drove the truck again today,, it really isn't that bad,,,, maybe if the wife has a problem with it,,, she will stay outa my truck

[100%Chevy]

My wifes car has rack and pinion steering and it takes me a few minutes to get used to it when I drive it.
Heck,even my golfcart has rack and pinion on it!
Our old trucks were considered the best when designed.Not so much old now as out-dated in technology.
It does feel slack,sloppy and loose.Adding a front stabilizer helps a lot.
Plus,they were intended to be trucks and so drive like one!
Mike.

[chrismoore701]

Loosen it up a pinch. That will really keep her out