loose steering wheel help

[Vee]

the steering wheel on my 81 K5 has a lot of play in turning it side to side - about an inch or 2 each way before it starts to turn the tires. the guy I bought it from did the xj steering shaft mod and said it made it a lot better, but I think something is still not right. I did a search and found the loc tite mod, but I don't think it's in the steering column because I can grip the steering shaft and rotate it too, my guess is that the steering box is worn. I tightened the adjuster on top of the box, but the play is still there, just tighter once the wheels start to turn. anyone else have issues like this? is this normal for a Blazer? I checked tie-rod ends, drag link, pitman arm connections and everything looks good, ball joints don't seem to need replacing either. if it is the steering box, is there a direct replacement from another vehicle I should look for as a swap?

 

[throttleissues]

Did you have someon turn it back and forth while look for the play? Steering box mounting is a common problem. They tend to loosen up and/or crack out the frame around the box. Also, my XJ had a problem with steering play that turned out to be the intermediate shaft slipping in the rubber coupling, which is why I don't like the XJ shaft swap on a fullsize.

 

[Vee]

well, it turned out to be the drag link after all. I had my wife turn the steering wheel while I looked at all the parts, and the drag link had some play in it. the bolts were tight but the clamp wasn't cinched down tight enough to have a solid hold on the threads. there looks to be a lot of rust built-up between the 2 ends - I'll go scavenging for a replacement at the local pick-a-part, but I was able to muscle it tight for now and it seemed to stabilize the play.

 

[syclonekid43]

i have alot of play on my 89. everything is tight so i know the box is worn out

 

[Vee]

it's still a little loose, so I'll be looking out for another box too, it's just not as high on my list of things to do right now