WyKi Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 How do I tighten the steering play? please see the video as that'll explain and show my problem. And that video was taken with the truck off and completely stopped. thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 So none of the linkage is moving while in that free play area? If not, then the problem is in the steering box. If the linkage does move, then the center link is probably bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkorahil Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 You can adjust and tighten the steering box, but I concour with GrimGreg from looking at that video. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5523Pathfinder Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 A little bit of play is normal. If is wobbling when driving, as said, you probably need a new center link. Mine was all over the place and I just installed a GrassRoots center link. It fixed 90% of my issues, the other is tie rod ends. Get under the front and check for looseness or play in all of the steering components. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 check your front end good, im with the census you proably got a centerlink issue or a tie rod issue (more leaning towards the centerlink) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashjt Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 You can tighten the steering box and have less play BUT the steering will be "funny" and the steering wheel won't turn back as easly as before.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 You can tighten the steering box and have less play BUT the steering will be "funny" and the steering wheel won't turn back as easly as before.. That means you've tightened it too much. Turn it 1/8 - 1/4 turns at a time until it is back at an acceptable level. Mr510 and I turned mine 1/4 of a turn and it was perfect after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashjt Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 That means you've tightened it too much. Turn it 1/8 - 1/4 turns at a time until it is back at an acceptable level. Mr510 and I turned mine 1/4 of a turn and it was perfect after. I tightened and then I had to un-do it... little by little.. I ended up leaving it as before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Another thing just came to mind, check the rag joint in the engine bay by the firewall, make sure it isn't worn out, along with the little U-joint just before the steering box. neither is a common wear spot, but if they get worn they could cause slop like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyKi Posted December 5, 2010 Author Share Posted December 5, 2010 hey guys.. update on that... I took another video of it cuz i was under the truck.. moved the steering shaft and it did the same.. so i guess it's loose inside the steering box. mmm any pics on which bolt to tighten up? i'll upload the vid in a bit.. just have to go get the cam in the truck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyKi Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 Update.... Here's the video i was telling you guys.. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Update.... Here's the video i was telling you guys.. thanks. So, in that video, you are turning the shaft that leads from the box to the steering wheel? And none of your steering components (centrelink etc.) move at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slashjt Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 So, in that video, you are turning the shaft that leads from the box to the steering wheel? And none of your steering components (centrelink etc.) move at all? I have that same play... and no, nothing moves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Well, I guess it's the steering box then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyKi Posted December 8, 2010 Author Share Posted December 8, 2010 yea, none of my components move... it's just that play. And with that play I cant lay back and drive with one hand on the wheel.. i have to have both and be moving it from side to side (but not much) only between that play, to drive straight. If i let the wheel go while driving in a straight line it wont start running all over the place, so alignment is good. But I'm tired of that play, due to the other cars that i have dont have that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamzan Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 You can tighten the box a bit. Loosen the locknut at the top and turn the set screw 1/8-1/2 turn max and then tighten the lock nut again. Take it for a drive and make sure it doesn't bind. I would go with 1/8 turns and then test each time. 1/8 of a turn was enough to make my box with 200k on it good again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyKi Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 (edited) is it the screw with a square top? Edited December 15, 2010 by WyKi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PATHRIDER Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 mine has that same play and havent mess around with the steering box yet. if adjusting the screw doesnt help do we need to replace the steering box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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