Steering Problem 75 K5

[scp1scp1]

Can not get the play out of the front end? Truck is not off road often, automatic with 33 X 12.5's. I have replaced steering box, put double stabilizer on the front, replaced front end bushings, welder the frame around the box but it STILL has a lot of play in the front end. Any ideas? Thanks, Steve.

 

[chevy wrangler]

maybe bad steering column bearings??

 

[Copasetic]

Bad rag joint perhaps?

 

[chevy wrangler]

or needs alignment

 

[87subncamden]

I had the death wobble in the front of my 87 burb 3/4 ton. While taking the hub apart I found the bearing was loose(beyond hand tight). Tightened it and no more wobble. I will most likely have to replace the races soon. Like you I looked at the steering box, linkage, ball joints everthing. When I put the front end on jackstands I noticed the drivers side wheel leaning bad. The previous owner had not tightened the bearing.

 

[redneckdude]

The frame is NOT cracked around the steering box area, correct? that will instantly provide play.

Could be the rag joint, ball joints, some slack in the TREs, spring bushings, u bolts loose, bearings loose or worn, or bad alignment. theres an assortment of things it COULD be that does include just about every front end part on that truck, suspension included.

 

[GM4wheeling]

yeah all those..

 

[stillnotbob]

Loose bolts inside steering column

This might be worth a look into. I am pretty sure I have this problem as I have looked at everything else so far. It is next on my list of things to fix. Worth a shot and it's free... if you have the tools. The how to is here:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/column/tiltcol.html

 

[2_wacko]

Check the pitman arm to see if its tight and not slipping around the gear shaft deal.

 

[Dweller99]

We just tightened up steering on a 73 and it was a combination of frame crack and ball joints. There is a bit of slop in the draglink still but the ball joints were 70% and the frame crack about 20% of the slop in it.

 

[chevy wrangler]

i dont think he cares anymore

 

[scp1scp1]

Thanks for all of the help. Transfer case is out being fixed. I have started looking at each one of the suggestions. Most of them have already been done but am going over them again. The rag joint is a distinct possibility. Will follow up with a progress report later. Thanks again. Steve.

 

[chevy111]

I would ditch the rag joint and buy a converion kit that gets rid of it. I got one through summit by ididit and it was great. I did this to my 71 and it was like night and day on the play in the steering. Way more reliable and solid. Thing looks like it will out last the truck.