Steering issue [Archive] - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

: Steering issue


Chevy 1/2 ton man
12-17-2005, 04:08 AM
Ok its me agian lol, I have the 82 truck with the 6.2 anyway, when I am driving i feel the steering wheel turns side to side with no effort. and truck goes with it as normal..And it feels like it pulls to one side on its own even with the steering wheel held tight. My tires suck and roads are icy here could that be it or is it maybe somthing bigger. Its like steering a boat thats a good way to discribe it .Its not real bad . but now tha the roads are iced maybe thats doin it, Or do i need more weight in th rear? any info would be awesome

palemale
12-18-2005, 08:25 AM
Wow, loose steering, eh?
All of the obvious things... Worn tie rods, pitman arm link (?), Open the hood, reach down to the steering shaft and twist it back and forth. (Steering unlocked, duh). This will turn the steering box, watch for movement at the "ball" or "end" links of the 1 foot long link that runs from the steering box to the steering knuckle. Just turn the shaft a few degrees, and watch carefully. Any wear will show up as one part moving and the other not. If the steering box is worn, a common problem over 100k, you'll hear a "clunking" as the sector shaft (of the box) moves back and forth before the arm connected to it moves or rotates.
To check the tie rod ends at the wheels, you'll have to reach in to the steering shaft whilst bending down and grabbing the steering shaft behind the left tire. Do the same thing, or have someone flick the wheel.
The other way to do this check is to lift the front wheels off the ground and move them back and forth whilst grasping at 3 and 9 o'clock. Any "play" in the tie rod ball ends should show up.
If the (steering knuckle) ball joints are worn, this would'nt show up as much as "loose steering", but is not a good scene, as they eventually seperate, and that's bad! :eek:
Anybody post some pics?