Loose steering!

[hammermachine]

After the last wheeling event, my steering has become very loose. The steering wheel physically is the same but when I am driving the wheel can move almost 90 degrees without changing direction. The arms of the wheel are not always horizontal but almost vertical. What do I need to fix this?

 

[sweetk30]

first place to check is the frame were the box bolts.

missing or loose bolts or broken frame.

thats were you will get major play in a fast way after a bad trip.

 

[hammermachine]

Box to frame

I don't think that's the issue, I didn't see any physical damage while I was under there this weekend. But I will check again.

 

[dhcomp]

Check tie rod ends and steering arm joints.

 

[hammermachine]

Check please!

Check tie rod ends and steering arm joints.

Sorry I'm a novice, what am I looking for? How can I tell if it's one of these parts?

 

[ktmoutfront]

get somebody the rotate the steering wheel while you crawl around under it. That much slop should be obvious.

 

[dhcomp]

Yep, basically look for play in the joints where the steering components join together. You They should be tight and smooth when the wheel is moved.

 

[hammermachine]

Slop!

I'll check tonight with a flashlight! Hopefully (I guess) it will be obvious, I will also check the rag joint on the steering shaft since that's one point I'm concerned about. The slob has always been bad sinec I got the truck, but now it's alot worst.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

Watch for the steering box to flex or walk away from the frame where it bolts up. This is how my burb behaved before I learned how easily the frame will crack right there

 

[NorCal_Chris]

Watch for the steering box to flex or walk away from the frame where it bolts up. This is how my burb behaved before I learned how easily the frame will crack right there

Yeah i had the slop really bad. Turns out almost all of my bolts to my box were loose. That rag joint was also bad. I still havnt got a new joint but tightening the box made a world of difference

 

[raymos]

ya, i just took my box off about a week ago and i got all 4 of the bolts out by hand, never put a wrench on them. had some slop in the system, but should be good as new now.

good thing i finally decided to go crossover or i would have been drivin with it like that.

 

[hammermachine]

Slop!

I just checked it is not the steering shaft or rag joint. It seems like the steering box is shot, I can turn the steering wheel almost 180 before the tires start to turn.

 

[raymos]

if thats the case then you can probably watch the steering shaft turn before the pitman arm starts to turn?

if so that sounds like you need a new box

 

[hammermachine]

Gear box

I picked up a new (remanufactured) gear box today from Buy-wise, didn't want to spend the $ but I need to get this truck running. A mech buddy is going to help me install this weekend.

 

[hammermachine]

Fixed!

Well with all the educated guess, it turns out that the problem I was having was... all of my u bolts were loose! That's right everyone one! With all the flexing, turning and stressing it seems that all the bolts were working themselves loose. So what seemed like a big dollar fix turns out to be as simple as wrenching the bolts back down and torquing them up. SO FU*KING COOL! Thanks for the help guys!

 

[sweetk30]

i would go get new ones. and get 5/8 rod ubolts not the 9/16 stock size. 5/8 is next grade up in strength.

once thay come loose toss them when you get home and can swap them.

 

[blazin' j]

good to hear u got it fixed...i jus found out mine is about to rip out tha frame...woo hoo...time to spend more $$$ on it...

 

[hammermachine]

Ubolts

i would go get new ones. and get 5/8 rod ubolts not the 9/16 stock size. 5/8 is next grade up in strength.

once thay come loose toss them when you get home and can swap them.

What's interesting is that these u bolts are the ones that came with the Rough County lift kit. I don't know if the lock nuts are lame or what? But the u bolts are larger than stock. I might have to double nut them.

 

[ktmoutfront]

3 link and coil overs will fix the u-bolt issue for good.

 

[K5 Jess]

I just found my frame cracked by the steering box. So Im gonna weld up the fram and brace it with some kind of gussets. anyone have a good Idea how?