something is loose. a new gear box was put on about 2k miles ago.
steering seems loose(wiggles to right then left), now almost undrivable.
any clues. is it the steering box, seems like it couldnt be anything else.
its 69k 4wd with power steering.
Could be anything else:
* Tie rod ends (with the truck stationary, grab the tie rod and try and move it laterally. If it's loose, you'll now.)
* Drag link ends (same idea, but you may have to take the driver's front wheel off.)
* Ball joints (jack up front, grab top and bottom wheel, and wiggle. if it moves, you are in for some FUUUUUN.)
* Frame cracked by the steering box (the old "visual inspection", i.e. closely examine the frame.) Donno about first-gens, but the 73-up trucks are plagued with issues here and there are various aftermarket kits to brace this area of the frame. (Which every truck should have!)
* Rag joint between steering column and box. Presumably you or your shop would have known if it was rotted as it had to be detached, but... (Have helper turn the wheel while you watch the box junction. If the column turns but the box doesn't... bingo.)
That's all that immediately springs to mind... besides crazy obscure stuff like rotted spring bushings or busted spring center pins, which would likely manifest themselves in worse ways.
-- A
