Rattle in my steering column - '81 Jimmy

[dbeson]

I don't visit this forum very often, but I need your help. I have a slight rattle in my steering column at idle and driving. The wheel is fairly tight and my steering is tight too. However, the slight rattle is driving me nuts (short trip). So my questions are 1) Can I get bearings to repair the shaft and from which vendor (LMC Truck is a no go)? 2) How hard of a repair is it? 3) Any suggestions to get me started would be helpful.
Thanks in advance....Donnie B

 

[Cowboy_80]

Is the rattle from the steering components or something else? Check the screws holding the covers to the dash. Should be 6 IIRC. If everything is smooth, I would doubt the bearings are shot. Pop the wheel off and see if anything under it is loose, i.e. horn switch.

 

[dbeson]

The rattle is coming from where the 2 shafts come together under the hood. You can grab the shaft coming from the steering box and wiggle it. The two shafts are covered with a round "thing" with a rubber boot inside it. Does that make sense?