Sticky steering

[Green Monster]

I just got the blazer back on the road, and so I drove it over to the shop to get the roll cage and bumpers installed. Along the way, a couple of times it felt like the steering stuck. For instance, I turn right, and as I move the wheel back to the left, I can feel it stick a little. Nothing really hard, just like it stuck momentarily in that position. It has all new suspension: upper and lower ball joints, tie rods, drag link, steering arm, steering gear and pump, rag joint, Tuff Country all-spring lift. Could this just be related to new parts that have to break in, or something else? Also, steering feels really loose, I can move the steering wheel a lot before the wheels turn. Thanks for any help!

 

[6872xtc]

Is this something new? Have you just had this problem with the new parts?
I would start by rocking the steering shaft through the wheelwell, and trying to watch. Of course, you have to have the engine running for this.
If you can find someone to rock the steering for you, all the better!!

 

[rampage]

Axle shaft u-joints are shot. Yes, even in 2WD you'll notice it because they need to move as the wheel turns. Pull the shafts and if they don't easily flop from side to side then replace them.

Loose steering - catefully check the frame for cracks at the steering box or the bolts being loose that hold the steering box.

 

[Green Monster]

Is this something new? Have you just had this problem with the new parts?
I would start by rocking the steering shaft through the wheelwell, and trying to watch. Of course, you have to have the engine running for this.
If you can find someone to rock the steering for you, all the better!!

Only had this problem with the new parts. When I get it back I'll check it with my son. Thanks!

 

[Green Monster]

Axle shaft u-joints are shot. Yes, even in 2WD you'll notice it because they need to move as the wheel turns. Pull the shafts and if they don't easily flop from side to side then replace them.

Loose steering - catefully check the frame for cracks at the steering box or the bolts being loose that hold the steering box.

Since it only did it with the new parts, I'm not sure if it's u-joints, but I'll check everything when I get it back. Frame is fine, has both the weld-in and bolt-on braces. Think I need to adjust the steering gear?

 

[kennyw]

First, double check that all new parts are installed and torqued properly.

Second, check for binding (parts hitting, rubbing, etc) with someone else turning the wheel.

If that doesn't find anything, start checking parts you didn't change but are old (steering column bearings, inner axle joints, etc).

 

[Green Monster]

First, double check that all new parts are installed and torqued properly.

Second, check for binding (parts hitting, rubbing, etc) with someone else turning the wheel.

If that doesn't find anything, start checking parts you didn't change but are old (steering column bearings, inner axle joints, etc).

Good idea, I'll check those as well.

 

[diesel4me]

All the things listed above can cause sticky steering--if it has a steering damper,I have seen those leak and rust up inside and get "stiff" or the rod bends,the housing gets a dent and the piston inside hangs up on it,etc...on my truck it was the axle joints that caused it to suddenly veer off to one side,then dart to the other when you'd turn the wheel to correct it..

The loose steering could be due to the steering box being worn out,that too can cause binding or a sticky feeling..in my experience every time I tried "adjusting" the pitman shaft screw it only made the steering feel like it was sticky or too tight and didn't really improve anything,and I ended up swapping another "good used" salvage yard steering box on it...

You mentioned a lift kit--if the drag link is stock,it may bind up when you install a lift kit,it should be fairly level from the pitman arm to the steering knuckle--if its not,the drag link ends can bind and cause this...they sell spacers for the knuckle or a dropped pitman arm to correct for that...also a body lift can affect the steering colum rag and CV joint where the steering shaft connects the colum to the steering box too..

 

[Green Monster]

All the things listed above can cause sticky steering--if it has a steering damper,I have seen those leak and rust up inside and get "stiff" or the rod bends,the housing gets a dent and the piston inside hangs up on it,etc...on my truck it was the axle joints that caused it to suddenly veer off to one side,then dart to the other when you'd turn the wheel to correct it..

The loose steering could be due to the steering box being worn out,that too can cause binding or a sticky feeling..in my experience every time I tried "adjusting" the pitman shaft screw it only made the steering feel like it was sticky or too tight and didn't really improve anything,and I ended up swapping another "good used" salvage yard steering box on it...

You mentioned a lift kit--if the drag link is stock,it may bind up when you install a lift kit,it should be fairly level from the pitman arm to the steering knuckle--if its not,the drag link ends can bind and cause this...they sell spacers for the knuckle or a dropped pitman arm to correct for that...also a body lift can affect the steering colum rag and CV joint where the steering shaft connects the colum to the steering box too..

The steering damper is new, drag link is new and pretty parallel with the ground with the new raised steering arm. I'm wondering if maybe I torqued some tie rods or ball joints too tight. I'll go back through everything. Could be the axle shafts, however they didn't stick before. Oh and steering gear is new too. I hope I'll get it back in a week or two and I'll post pics. Thanks!

 

[rampage]

To check ball joints, remove the tierod and wheels. Hook a cheap fish scale to the hole for the tierod. Scale should read around 14 lbs. This is how the GM manual says to check them.

 

[diesel4me]

"Steering gear is new too"....hmmm...maybe it just needs some time to "wear in",or maybe it wasn't assembled correctly..."new" doesn't always = "good"...especially in today's auto parts world..