Steering slop issue
 

I've searched the forums, but I still am at a loss.

My steering has about 1/8th turn slop in either direction before the steering is engaged. It makes for a very interesting drive when turning at highway speed. The wheel also doesn't want to self-correct. Here's where everything is at:

New top/bottom control arm ball joints
New inner tie rods
New outer tie rods
New pitman arm
New steering box
Confirmed the rag joint is in good condition and not loose.
Confirmed the cross joint is in the right orientation (others have noticed they've installed it facing the wrong way)
4 separate alignments. Everything is in the green, including some aggressive positive caster.

Does anyone here have insight into what I might be missing that can give me this much slop?

Thanks a heap.
Tommy

Re: Steering slop issue
 

Tilt column? If so, there are some screws at the bottom of the column that often back out enough to cause a lot of slop. Unfortunately, they are inside and you have to pull most of the column guts to get to them.

Don't know if the non-tilt version has the same screws.

Re: Steering slop issue
 

Get someone behind the steering wheel and let them work the wheel back and forth,,while you watch each joint and connection in the system...but a tiny bit of looseness in several spots can add up and may be hard to detect...

Re: Steering slop issue
 

Idler arm?

Cracked frame?

Re: Steering slop issue
 

1/4" total? Thats what I'd call normal slop for a non-steering rack vehicle. The steering box has a little slop, and every linkage has movement in it right down to the wheel bearings. I'd say 1/8" in one direction is remarkably good.

Re: Steering slop issue
 

I understood the OP as saying 1/8 of a TURN. Which would work out to about 6 inches of slop.

Re: Steering slop issue
 

What kind of truck? lowered c10 on low-profiles? Lifted k30 on mud boggers?

I second what mongo said. Look for movement while someone else is turning the wheel.

Possibly the steering box is too loose. They can be adjusted. I'm sure too, that there's a lot of difference between a generic RockAuto box and a RedHead box.

Definitely check the frame for cracks. Even if it's not cracked, a steering box brace can still stiffen the steering up a bit, by making sure the box can't move. Have you checked the ball joints/king pins for excess movement?

Re: Steering slop issue
 

Thanks for the replies.

84 gmc 1500 rwd. 5.5/7 drop on 215/70r15.

I've gotten under the hood with the truck on the ground and running, and have been able to turn the intermediate shaft with my hand. This is the slop I'm feeling behind the wheel.
Nothing at the rag joint or box suggests something is loose.

Re: Steering slop issue
 

It sounds like the steering box isn't adjusted right. It's usually not recommended that the owner adjust them but in your case you might have to try it. I tightened up the box on my camaro only 1/4 turn and it made it too tight and twitchy. It's a delicate adjustment.