Big T
Well-Known Member
I got about 2" of play in the steering wheel on my '99 Burb which causes it to float around at highway speed. Is it possible to restore to it's original tightness? If so, how do you accomplish this?
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Steering play, how do you eliminate?
- Thread starter Big T
- Start date
GM Guy
Manual Trans. 2WD Enthusiast
I believe the steering boxes can be tightened up, as in, bearings adjusted so slack is gone. dont ask me how to do it though, I have just heard about it. there should be an article somewhere...
ak diesel driver
6.5 driver
Check the front end parts for wear. This body style has a high wear rate of steering parts. The idler arm is known to wear out. Jack the passenger side wheel off the ground, and have someone move the tire back and forth like you are turning. Be under it and see if anything 'moves' / has slop in it.
Steering shafts including rag joints and column bearings can also contribute some slop.
Steering boxes as pointed out above also wear and can be adjusted or replaced with rebuilt 'adjusted' units.
Complete front end rebuild is around $600 at Rock Auto :hihi: I know you LOVE that place!!! $200 more local parts store for Moog stuff.
Steering shafts including rag joints and column bearings can also contribute some slop.
Steering boxes as pointed out above also wear and can be adjusted or replaced with rebuilt 'adjusted' units.
Complete front end rebuild is around $600 at Rock Auto :hihi: I know you LOVE that place!!! $200 more local parts store for Moog stuff.
schiker
Well-Known Member
Like warwagon was saying I'd guess an accumulation of wear in joints. The box might be a bit loose but I bet pitman, idler, and tierod ends are worn out if you have never replaced them.
Lay up underneath and have someone turn the wheel back and forth slowly and watch if input and output of box moves and what lags. When the idler wears out it tends to cause a little funny feel when going through a curve as the steering wheel will seem to give a bit of limp feel or might feel like it slips a tiny bit.
Lay up underneath and have someone turn the wheel back and forth slowly and watch if input and output of box moves and what lags. When the idler wears out it tends to cause a little funny feel when going through a curve as the steering wheel will seem to give a bit of limp feel or might feel like it slips a tiny bit.
Big T
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ferm, that's excellent and easy to understand. I will first check for wear on the other parts in the steering and yes I dread the thought of going through this.
Am I correct to assume that the steering parts are from the tie rods in? What's an idler arm? Pitman arm?
I had the upper A-arms rebushed and installed new ball joints. Did not replace bushings on lower A-arms as I did not have the tool to deal with the torsion springs.
ak diesel driver
6.5 driver
pitman arm comes directly off the steering box and the idler arm is it's mate that connects to the frame on the pass side