• Welcome to The Truck Stop! We see you haven't REGISTERED yet.

    Your truck knowledge is missing!
    • Registration is FREE , all we need is your birthday and email. (We don't share ANY data with ANYONE)
    • We have tons of knowledge here for your diesel truck!
    • Post your own topics and reply to existing threads to help others out!
    • NO ADS! The site is fully functional and ad free!
    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

    Problems registering? Click here to contact us!

    Already registered, but need a PASSWORD RESET? CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD!

Slop in the gear box?

Crankme69

Crankme69

New Member
Messages
1,901
Reaction score
15
Location
Illinois the Corruption Capitol of USA
More play in the wheel then I think there should be 1995 1500 truck 220K on the clock.

Replace the gear box or? Is that a job that requires any special tools?

I have checked everything seems tight, the play seems to be in the box...so what say U?

TIA
 
You could, but if you don't get the right preload the box will eat itself within a few weeks, and then you'l have to get a new one.

I would tell you to try it , and chances are you'll need a new one anyway if you don't mess with it so why not try it.

what do you have to lose, that's how you learn. If you do attempt it go in small increments and jack the front end up to unload the steering and check for any binding in the box and steering wheel.

If there is any bind you went way to far. If you have never done this before it's better to go in small increments and test for bind and then test drive it and keep repeating theses steps until the slop is gone.

This is not the best way to do this, but will get you in the ballpark and if it gets you another few months or a year then so be it. but also be prepared to buy a new box, the worm gear in the box may be to worn to get much more adjustment out of it.

I can't tell you how bad it is because I'm not there to check it. Good luck if you tackle it.

I hope this helps you in whatever you decide to do.
 
Are you positive the slop is in the box and not the pitman arm? I've bought several that the pitman arm was loose on the output shaft of the steering box. A worn idler arm will make the steering feel loose also.Most times it isn't in the box.
 
Another concern if you get the preload wrong is poor (or none) "on center".

Sounds like it's not a big deal, but if you're ever driven one where you have to concioulsy center the wheel its a PITA at best and dangerous at worst.

Sometimes, a bad rag joint causes a lot of slop (if you truck has one that is).

Also, check all your linkages. "Slop" is cumulative. IE: a little play in the rod ends, a little play in the pitman, a little play in the idler, a little play in the box all adds up to a lot of play in the wheel.

Last thing to remember is that the "parallelogram linkage" use on GMT 400 trucks is not exactly the most accurate steering system ever made. Acceptable for it's intended use, but it's only ever going to be so "tight"......these ain't no sports cars!

;)
 
great white said:
Another concern if you get the preload wrong is poor (or none) "on center".
if you're ever driven one where you have to concioulsy center the wheel its a PITA at best and dangerous at worst.

;)
Click to expand...
Exactly the way it has driven ever since I have owned it...constantly have to be correcting for center. It drives best in a lane that has some angle left lane normally, that tends to keep it with a constant pull to one direction. Yes it is a total PITA. Left my buddy drive it last time we took it up north & thought I was gonna have a heart attack in the passenger seat watching him fight it, I finally suggested to him to stay in the left lane on the expressway. After about an hour watching him I politely requested him to pull off so I could get back in the drivers seat again...:eek:
 
Crankme69 said:
Exactly the way it has driven ever since I have owned it...constantly have to be correcting for center. It drives best in a lane that has some angle left lane normally, that tends to keep it with a constant pull to one direction. Yes it is a total PITA. Left my buddy drive it last time we took it up north & thought I was gonna have a heart attack in the passenger seat watching him fight it, I finally suggested to him to stay in the left lane on the expressway. After about an hour watching him I politely requested him to pull off so I could get back in the drivers seat again...:eek:
Click to expand...

You've got a serious problem in the steering or brakes if it's that bad. You have probably just gotten used to it as it's gotten worse.

Chase it down toute suite!
 
Yea I have got used to it, just recently started to bother me again as I have not been driving it much. When I 1st purchased it about 40K miles ago I went through everything & discovered the play was in the box....I could have missed something, also at 220K hard to rule out anything & though I don't think it has changed any it seems just as bad now as it was back 40K miles ago. I'm just getting a little sick of it, so what ever I have to change is either gonna get done or the truck is gonna get traded in or sold.

Just to clarify it don't drive bad until ya get err up over 60mph & even then it's smooth as a whistle it just likes to wonder a bit. It is predictable any slight angle in the road & it's headed that direction. The wheel has at least 2" of play.
 
That sounds like the box. That much play is dangerous, I would just change it.

The only specialty tool you will need is a puller to get the pitman arm off.

Damn I only have 1/4 inch of play and that annoys me to the point that after I finish paying for and installing my 351vgt project that will be the next thing tackled as well as the leaking H/B unit.
 
First thing to do anytime the steering is in question is get you a helper. Go out start the truck up and look at the linkages while somebody else rocks the steering back and forth. If the steering center link rocks even the slightest bit then most likely you need new pitman and idlers. Also pay close attention to the shaft coming out of the bottom of the steering box. ANY slop in it and your box is junk and not worth adjusting. That shaft MUST be tight inside the box otherwise that means the bearings in it have failed. But with a helper just watch the linkage while somebody else turns the wheel and any slack will show itself immediately. As for adjusting the box, the main shaft preload is the most important and the one that is the hardest to do. Most everybody only does the sector shaft preload which mainly just adjusts the heavy on center feel. A SMALL change in the main shaft preload makes a BIG difference in the box tightness, but it is also the one that will destroy the box if you don't give it that 1/4" back off for pressure clearance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top