steering play

[j99]

I have 1988 k5 that likes to wander,but the tie rods and
ball joints seem ok.A friend of mine has 89 same problem.
I was thinking may be gear box. any ideas??

 

[85mudblazin]

check the frame area around the steering box, our trucks are prone to the frame cracking around the bolt holes.

 

[j99]

thanks ...but frame is good
is hould have giving more info on this truck.
didnt think anyone would read this.
Its is all stock 80,000 miles ,31s

 

[85mudblazin]

I dotn know maybe one of the more experienced people will chim in.
BTW welcome to CK5 /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[stallion85]

Try replacing your steering stab. Mine wanders a lot but not as bad when I replaced my steering stab. Every old K5 I have driven has loose steering. You can also replace the shaft that links your steering wheel to the box. Usually the box isn't bad if the seals seem good. I would maybe consider emailing the guys at AGR. They rebuild steering boxes and might have some proffesional insight they could give you /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif

 

[j99]

thanks for the help ,
I think I will change all the shocks up front (all 5)
and see if that helps.The box does not leak. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[btolenti]

check the rag joint on the steering shaft (where it connects to the steering box). These get old and can actually fail, causing a loss of steering...

 

[shane74]

Have you tried adjusting your steering box? That can remove a lot of play if done correctly.

 

[pvfjr]

The wandering K30
You need to study how everything is moving as someone else moves the steering wheel back and forth. If you determine that it is the steering box, adjust it.

 

[rusty79beast]

My 86 had a bunch of play in it, so i had a friend move the steering wheel through the loose portion while the Blaze was running, and I checked with my eyes down below to see if i could see anything loose. It ended up that one side of my draglink was loose as hell. Turned out that the previous owner forgot to install the grease zerk on one side, and that ball & socket joint worked itself really loose /forums/images/graemlins/angryfire.gif Hope this helps

 

[Blue85]

I agree. Troubleshoot first, buy parts later. Get somebody to steer back and forth while you're on the ground looking at the parts moving (keep the vehicle in Park). Chances are that you will figure out in minutes what the problem is.

 

[diesel4me]

Check the bushings in your front leaf springs,both ends--the front "eye" of the stock springs often open up and allow the bushing to flop around in the spring eye.Also make sure the center bolts in the spring arent sheared,allowing the leaves to shift around.Another often overlooked item is the bolt that holds the pitman arm on,if it gets loose it will hog out the steering box shaft and make it sloppy,and make sure the bolts holding the box on are tight,and the frame has no cracks(sometimes the frame looks perfect--until you take the box off! /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif--other than that,if your ball joints and draglink and tierod ends are good,it could be the tires doing it,misalignment will make it wander around too. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[j99]

thanks to all for the info.
Idid have it up on rack and looked at alot of those parts.
I had someone turn the wheel but no luck.I did not check the center bolt or eye bushings . that what I am going to do now. /forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

 

[pvfjr]

You probably won't see it as easily if its up on a rack. That takes the pressure off of everything, makes the wheels easy to turn even if something isn't tight.