1st gen loose steering?

[Griswald]

Been noticing more play in the steering recently.

Took it to a shop today and he looked it over,
And he couldn’t really see anything wrong with it?
I replaced the ball joints, tie rods and idler arms within the last 10k miles or so.
So those should be good...
Any thoughts come to mind as to what could be causing it?

 

[Dropzone]

How much slop to you have?
How many miles? Could be the steering box needs to be rebuilt.
Have you inspected the rag joints in the steering shaft?
I had some slop in my old 81 (IFS box and High steer) replaced the box, all new TRE ends. Still had some slop side to side. installed a newer less rusted steering shaft and it helped a lot...

 

[Griswald]

How much slop to you have?
How many miles? Could be the steering box needs to be rebuilt.
Have you inspected the rag joints in the steering shaft?
I had some slop in my old 81 (IFS box and High steer) replaced the box, all new TRE ends. Still had some slop side to side. installed a newer less rusted steering shaft and it helped a lot...

That’s where I think the issue lies.
Vehicle has very high mileage.
I wonder how much$$ it would be to replace the steering shaft?

 

[toy4runr85]

What year is your truck?

Look at all the links from the main steering rod through that stupid j-arm thingie and to the box, etc. There's an adjustment point on the main steering rod (the one that's directly attached to the steering wheel) if I remember correctly it has to do with what you're describing. Can't take a pic to show you as I moved on to Hi-Steer a while ago (which is a gigantic improvement in steering feel and the added benefit of stronger plus your tie-rod and drag link are up out of the way). I have the FSM for the 85 I can look it up if needed. Good Luck!

 

[fourwd1]

Yeah, what year?
Makes a big difference as to possibilities.

 

[Griswald]

89. Built in December 88.
I can move the steering wheel about maybe an 1” to either side with little to no effect on the wheels.

What’s the Hi-steer about?

 

[Dropzone]

89. Built in December 88.
I can move the steering wheel about maybe an 1” to either side with little to no effect on the wheels.

What’s the Hi-steer about?

Hi Steer is for trucks that either came with a straight axle or have been converted to straight axle. not relavent on your truck since in your 1st post you mentioned replacing ball joints and idler arms

 

[Pisa 8687]

Could be the steering box. With high mileage they do were out sometimes

 

[toy4runr85]

Hi Steer is for trucks that either came with a straight axle or have been converted to straight axle. not relavent on your truck since in your 1st post you mentioned replacing ball joints and idler arms

Yup, what he said. I missed the ball joints part.

My 85 had very sloppy steering. About what you're describing. I'd first suspect the steering gear box. They can be rebuilt, I had a IFS box (what you have) rebuilt here in Arizona for around $350. I had my old box inspected and they did indeed say it was worn out.

 

[Griswald]

Yeah, what year?
Makes a big difference as to possibilities.

Hey,
What part of Maryland are you in?
I’ve got a mechanic in southern PA who should be able to do the work but his schedule is tricky and I am having trouble coordinating with him.

If you have any leads on anyone who knows these trucks and can do the work, please let me know.

I just find around here a lot of shops just don’t want to work on em bc they don’t know the vehicle that well, or charge $100/hour.

PM if you want. Thanks

 

[Griswald]

Could be the steering box. With high mileage they do were out sometimes

Seems to be the culprit. 452,000 miles on the truck (not sure if the previous owner ever replaced the steering box)

But...a friend had one (used spare, OEM) we swapped it out and it drives WAYYY BETTER.
So, as long as it doesn’t leak konk out, should be good

 

[ev13wt]

89. Built in December 88.
I can move the steering wheel about maybe an 1” to either side with little to no effect on the wheels.

What’s the Hi-steer about?

1" would be factory spec. So you are gtg.

I would check the idler arm first. Have someone sit in the truck, press brakes and steer left and right. Is the idler moving up and down? It should not.

With this test you have more of a chance to see what is wrong. Then move up to the box and higher.

Box adjustment is usually not neccecary, you can easily make it too tight. If it's worn out, it won't help.