2 questions here - Tightening the steering on my K5 and a new weatherstripping kit

[TexasRyanK5]

I have replaced a power steering pump on a 1985 K5 and when I installed it the steering was really loose, but that was almost 12 years ago on the family truck and I don't remember how to make the steering firmer. Its loose now and my step-dad had just always drove it that way. I know it has to do with the 2 bolts (one inside the other) on top of it "I think". I just put a set of 305/70R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers w/ some 16x8 rims that I liked a lot, which completely changed the way it rides. I just want the steering to be tighter if possible. If someone could help me with that I would appreciate it. I don't think my step-dad ever tried to tighten the steering, but I know its possible.

The other is I want to buy a new complete weatherstripping kit w/chrome, but I cannot seem to find the complete kit anywhere, but JC Whitney and they are backordered for about a month and I only have 2 weeks of vacation left. If anyone knows where I can find one right a way other than the dealership(god no please), I would also appreciate the help in locating the complete kit and directions for correct installation if at all possible.

Thanks a million..


TexasRyanK5

 

[gmc4cw]

the nut your are referring to is for adjusting the backlash on the steering box. it should not need adjustment. first you should check all of your steering components. tie rod ends, drag link ends, rag joint. I would replace the rag joint with a u-joint setup. a popular junkyard swap is to get a steering shaft out of a junkyard. I used flaming river joints.

http://www.flamingriver.com/

LMC may have the trim pieces you need but every time I price them they are more then the dealership.

http://www.lmctruck.com/

just recently I bought my door seals for $25 each at a dealership when LMC wanted $29.95 plus shipping.

 

[TexasRyanK5]

the nut your are referring to is for adjusting the backlash on the steering box. it should not need adjustment. first you should check all of your steering components. tie rod ends, drag link ends, rag joint. I would replace the rag joint with a u-joint setup. a popular junkyard swap is to get a steering shaft out of a junkyard. I used flaming river joints.

http://www.flamingriver.com/

LMC may have the trim pieces you need but every time I price them they are more then the dealership.

http://www.lmctruck.com/

just recently I bought my door seals for $25 each at a dealership when LMC wanted $29.95 plus shipping.

All of that is in good condition, Like I said it only has about 90K miles on it and I have had all of that checked out.

I am more interested, as far as the weatherstripping goes, is the winshield w/the chrome and the doors.

Thanks for the reply though...

TexasRyanK5

 

[dyeager535]

You may still be able to get the windshield gasket from GM. If that's what you want, and not JUST the chrome piece. That chrome stuff is garbage IMO, only because over time it will crack and rust, I'm suspecting that's why you want to replace it. I changed mine over to a stock black inner piece (I think that's called the lace?) so that I wouldn't worry about it. Mines a junkyard gasket and if you want just the center piece, I'd seriously consider getting a black one from a wrecking yard truck. The black also doesn't seem to shrink like the chrome ones do over time. (time being relative, what, 20 years plus lol)

What door pieces do you need? I bought pretty much all the seals (windows, door frame, etc) from GM not more than two years back, they are probably still there.

If GM still sells it, it's a pretty good bet that anything you find aftermarket is GM stuff that has been removed from the GM packaging (sometimes) and re-sold for more than GM gets for it. If it's not GM, it's not as good quality. I have yet to find any seals/weatherstripping that are as good as the OEM stuff.

As mentioned on the steering, that set screw you are talking about should not be messed with, unless it's been rebuilt and improperly setup, or screwed with. You've had the stuff checked out, or you've checked it yourself? I just don't trust most others work, so if someone else said all the components are fine, I'd probably double check, especially since you still perceive a problem.

 

[roadnotca]

My Burb has 190Kmiles with/had sloppy steering. I just installed the Borgeson (yeah I know its $$) and an LMC rag joint with not much improvement. I also did the box adjustment and it significantly improved the feel and response. The procedure has to be followed religiously. It requires an inch lbs. torque wrench (got that when I did R&P ). FYI, at least for 1985, an 11/16, 12 point deep socket fits the stub shaft.

 

[TexasRyanK5]

You may still be able to get the windshield gasket from GM. If that's what you want, and not JUST the chrome piece. That chrome stuff is garbage IMO, only because over time it will crack and rust, I'm suspecting that's why you want to replace it. I changed mine over to a stock black inner piece (I think that's called the lace?) so that I wouldn't worry about it. Mines a junkyard gasket and if you want just the center piece, I'd seriously consider getting a black one from a wrecking yard truck. The black also doesn't seem to shrink like the chrome ones do over time. (time being relative, what, 20 years plus lol)

What door pieces do you need? I bought pretty much all the seals (windows, door frame, etc) from GM not more than two years back, they are probably still there.

If GM still sells it, it's a pretty good bet that anything you find aftermarket is GM stuff that has been removed from the GM packaging (sometimes) and re-sold for more than GM gets for it. If it's not GM, it's not as good quality. I have yet to find any seals/weatherstripping that are as good as the OEM stuff.

As mentioned on the steering, that set screw you are talking about should not be messed with, unless it's been rebuilt and improperly setup, or screwed with. You've had the stuff checked out, or you've checked it yourself? I just don't trust most others work, so if someone else said all the components are fine, I'd probably double check, especially since you still perceive a problem.

No, I had it checked out and I've definitely been up under the sucker looking for any kind of give or play in the components and its not there... I'll check it out again.......

There's no slack in the steering wheel at all..... It's just loose and easy to be all over the road with if you don't know how to drive it.