steering, gr.

[habitatxskate]

so i got my permit, YEAH ME! and the wheel is lose as ****. like its hard to maintain a lane, though 37"s don't help. anyways, steering is stock, but even if the truck is off, and just the key is in accessory i still get play..i have a steering box, spare, but is there a way to check the quality of it or anything?

should i order the drop pitman arm as well? i'd like to have it on and everything asap so i don't wrapmyself around a tree, haha i'm so positive..anyways, suggestions?

 

[sled_dog]

how much lift do you have on the rig?

Have someone wiggle the wheel and look at everything! Especially look for cracks in the framerail around the steering box. If you don't find those, look for play in the tie rod ends, drag-link, and steering shaft. If all that is fine, see how much you can wiggle the wheel before the pitman arm moves. This will help indicate how loose the steering gear itself is.

 

[readymix]

Find out what is bad before you throw money at it. Check teh TRE's, DLE's, Ball jounts, wheel bearings and the box area of the frame first.

 

[habitatxskate]

oh yeah! i forgot my ball joints are bad...

the frame in front is the best out of all the frame..still, my steering angle is far from perfect, but how can i check my steering box? i mean, its not in my truck so can't i just wabble around the joints and see if there is play? i know the drop arm is like $30 and wheel bearings are guna set me back how much?

edit:6 inch lift...

i am thinking my steering box..my drag link and the stuff was just replaecd (sorry i'm super tired) when i bought my axles the guy gave me a steering box so i was thinking of using it once i cleaned it out, made sure it was good..can someone tell me the best way to test it without installing it?

 

[sled_dog]

wheel bearings don't necessarily have to be replaced, just tightened and maybe packed with new grease. But balljoint replacement should be priority number one. There have been many topics about balljoints on here in the past month or two.

No offense intended towards you here, but this is why I don't like states that don't have yearly state inspections as strict as PA. Sure its a pain in the ass, but it really works to help keep vehicles on the road safe. I have no idea how states that don't have inspections survive. It must be scary to be a technician in those states.

 

[habitatxskate]

well NJ its kinda strict, but not as easy as NY..I don't think texas has inspection and you can be any ehight which is rediculous...

ball joints, i'll order them tomorrow.

 

[readymix]

Get a socket to properly pre-load the uppers. Do it right the first time.

 

[habitatxskate]

links for everything! please? i know ntwonline.com has the drop arm.anyplace w/ strong and good priced parts? while i'm at it, i'm going to return my rear brakeline from ntwonline, never installed it

 

[habitatxskate]

anyone? i'm shipping my brake line out to ntw since i didn't use it...then guna use that $50 to get my drop pitman, and a few bucks for ball joints...

then for other stuff truckwise i'm going to rip apart my 6 lug 44 and take the shafts, auto hubs (spare) then get the gears, sell them. calipers, etc etc. and anything i can..learn about inside parts as well..some guidance, support? i'm young help! haha