1999 Chevy 6.5L C3500 TD Steering Issues

[Allan681]

First time posting thanks for having such a forum for my work horse. She has Over 300k miles on her. Steering has too much play from steering shaft to gear box. Need to locate the problem.

 

[MrMarty51]

First time posting thanks for having such a forum for my work horse. She has Over 300k miles on her. Steering has too much play from steering shaft to gear box. Need to locate the problem.

Welcome to the forum.
There is a cover over the steer shaft, unless its been removed.
At the gear box end there is this thing referred to as a rag joint. Unlike a form of green vegetation.
The canvas that joints made of tears out and can totally fall apart leaving the steering lax in all forms of directing the vehicle.
Do not operate until that is inspected and a decision is made that that is the problem.

 

[Big T]

If the steering box is original, I would replace. I would also replace the steering shaft with one that has a spider joint or u-joint vs the rag joint. All other components of the steering need to be in go shape.