Steering question

[possum70]

On my 78 my steering seems to be a delay reaction. If I turn my wheel it seems my truck takes a 1/4 to 1/2 second to respond. It makes it tough not to overcorrect, although I have been getting used to it. And I would rather fix it than get used to a problem. Everything seems tight underneath; u-bolts, steering box bolts, bushings, etc... The only thing I haven't tried (as far as I know) is the steering stabilizer. Could it cause this if it is going bad? I've been reading that some people are removing them completely. Is this for regular steering or only for crossover? I don't have crossover.

possum

 

[EIB8400]

If everything is tight then I would check the steering box. I took my stabilizer off over a year ago and I don't have crossover and it works great. Have you had someone turn the wheel back and forth while you lay under and watch all of the joints?

 

[K85 Octane]

yep, start looking "above" the pitman arm
check the center shaft in the steering box and check your rag joint
just had to replace the steering box in an '06 3500 cause the center shaft was walking inside the bearings. Made that big truck wonder like crazy.

 

[possum70]

may sound "noobish" but what is the rag joint?

possum

 

[chalet2506]

The little round disk looking joint on the top of your steering box where the shaft bolts to it.

 

[possum70]

Thanks so much. Pictures are awesome! Now for my son to get out of school so I can do some checking.

possum

 

[possum70]

would the rag joint or center shaft cause what seems like a "delay"? I could see them causing play but if I turn the wheel the truck turns but only after a slight delay.

possum

 

[chalet2506]

Yes. It is a common thing for those to wear out and they're not the best design to begin with anyway.

Try this.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169874

or these guys sell an upgraded, oe style replacement. I used one on my 72 and 76 and it helped a lot.

http://www.larescorp.com/contact.html