Sloppy steering

[07 grizzly700 BE]

So, the steering on my 85 diesel sub' is kinda sloppy, and like this it won't pass de vehicle inspection here in Belgium. So i ordered new balljoints, drag link and tie rod. Now i see my steering box has some slop to it too.

Instead of buying a stock rebuild one, i was thinking of buying a custom one, because i think the steering is way too light and sloppy for street driving and the narrow roads here in Belgium, maybe a little sportier gear ratio would be cool too.

So do any of you guys know a company that could do this? (for a reasonable price) Or is it hard to fit a steering box/pump from a later model truck? Or any other ideas are welcome.

This is my daily driver and it will be for a long time, so the way it drives is quite important to me.

Thanks in advance guys,
Matt

 

[bailey9r]

I don't know about the custom box route but for free you can adjust some of the looseness (slop) out of the box you have.
See the allen bolt with the nut on it? loosen the nut and carefully tighten the bolt till you feel it start to seat then back off 1/8th turn and set it with the nut, drive it and you will feel if it was too loose or too tight.
If you feel it binding you can just back it off a little more or if still sloppy tighten a bit more.

 

[07 grizzly700 BE]

Thanks for the tip, i will try that for sure. How can i feel when it's binding?

What would be the difference between a rebuilt steering box from napa and one from PSC?

Actually i found some pretty interesting boxes from AGR, but from what i read they are crap so i guess i won't buy any of those.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

I don't know about the custom box route but for free you can adjust some of the looseness (slop) out of the box you have.
See the allen bolt with the nut on it? loosen the nut and carefully tighten the bolt till you feel it start to seat then back off 1/8th turn and set it with the nut, drive it and you will feel if it was too loose or too tight.
If you feel it binding you can just back it off a little more or if still sloppy tighten a bit more.

Sweet deal, I was going to look that up here sometime, I figured you could. Mine's even worse now that I have a brand new PS Pump so it's sloppy and hella easy to turn.

 

[Stomis]

Thanks for the tip, i will try that for sure. How can i feel when it's binding?

What would be the difference between a rebuilt steering box from napa and one from PSC?

Actually i found some pretty interesting boxes from AGR, but from what i read they are crap so i guess i won't buy any of those.

Thanks,
Matt

PSC's boxes are usually tapped for hydro assist and I believe they are opened up to flow more to match their high output pumps but dont hold me to that.

I've never personally seen quicker ratio boxes for trucks. It kinda goes against the grain of moving big wheels on a large vehicle to have a quicker ratio. Your cheapest solution would be to get a psc pump, remmanned box, and a small steering wheel.

The smaller wheel will give you the illusion it takes less to turn the wheel because its not as great of a distance while the psc pump will pick up the slack your muscles and old bigger wheel may have been doing.

 

[07 grizzly700 BE]

Ok, thanks for the tip, i will try the smaller steering wheel thing, it seems kinda logic. I will send some emails to see if i can get a custum box, otherwise ill go for a reman. Thanks again,
Matt

 

[dremu]

You have of course checked the frame for cracks, and installed a steering brace / reinforcement kit such as

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

First thing I do when I buy one of these trucks is do the bolt-in kit. Even if the frame isn't cracked yet, it'll hold it nice and steady. (If it IS cracked, get the weld-in kit as well.)

-- A

 

[07 grizzly700 BE]

I have already checked it for cracks and will for sure order the brace kit when i order the steering box.