Steering slack
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
Depends on where the slack is. It could be caused by bad control arms or steering rack bushings, worn tie rod ends, or worn ball joints. It could also be caused by the "universal" joint on the steering shaft being worn which takes the entire shaft to be replaced to fix.
You can check the ball joints by jacking up the truck and wiggling the tire side to side and in and out on the top and bottom. If there is any movement the joints are worn.
Have someone turn the wheel and see where the slack is being caused to see if it can be fixed easily or not.
Someone correct me if I am wrong on any of this.
Edit: unless your asking if the slack can be adjusted (more or less) manually for driver preference rather than trying to get rid of slack because of worn parts. I have no idea if that can be done.
You can check the ball joints by jacking up the truck and wiggling the tire side to side and in and out on the top and bottom. If there is any movement the joints are worn.
Have someone turn the wheel and see where the slack is being caused to see if it can be fixed easily or not.
Someone correct me if I am wrong on any of this.
Edit: unless your asking if the slack can be adjusted (more or less) manually for driver preference rather than trying to get rid of slack because of worn parts. I have no idea if that can be done.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
I have never turned the adjustment at the steering box and have it work out without causing other problems. I would check everything else first. You are going to have to get someone to lightly wiggle the steering wheel while you crawl around underneath looking for play.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Yes, it can be adjusted. No, you should not do it. But, it costs nothing to try. However, make SURE you accurately mark where it is sitting before you adjust.
The adjustment takes slack and feel out at the same time. In my experience, every time I've tried to adjust one it drove worse because there was no feel. And, in the end I put it right back where it was.
There's a screw on the top of the sector box with a lock nut on it. You hold the screw, after marking its location, and back the nut off. Then, tighten the screw no more than 1/8 turn, and tighten the nut while holding the screw. And, when you drive it you'll probably find the steering is tighter but now you have to actively drive the vehicle, not let it do its thing.
The adjustment takes slack and feel out at the same time. In my experience, every time I've tried to adjust one it drove worse because there was no feel. And, in the end I put it right back where it was.
There's a screw on the top of the sector box with a lock nut on it. You hold the screw, after marking its location, and back the nut off. Then, tighten the screw no more than 1/8 turn, and tighten the nut while holding the screw. And, when you drive it you'll probably find the steering is tighter but now you have to actively drive the vehicle, not let it do its thing.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Yes, it can be adjusted. No, you should not do it. But, it costs nothing to try. However, make SURE you accurately mark where it is sitting before you adjust.
The adjustment takes slack and feel out at the same time. In my experience, every time I've tried to adjust one it drove worse because there was no feel. And, in the end I put it right back where it was.
There's a screw on the top of the sector box with a lock nut on it. You hold the screw, after marking its location, and back the nut off. Then, tighten the screw no more than 1/8 turn, and tighten the nut while holding the screw. And, when you drive it you'll probably find the steering is tighter but now you have to actively drive the vehicle, not let it do its thing.
The adjustment takes slack and feel out at the same time. In my experience, every time I've tried to adjust one it drove worse because there was no feel. And, in the end I put it right back where it was.
There's a screw on the top of the sector box with a lock nut on it. You hold the screw, after marking its location, and back the nut off. Then, tighten the screw no more than 1/8 turn, and tighten the nut while holding the screw. And, when you drive it you'll probably find the steering is tighter but now you have to actively drive the vehicle, not let it do its thing.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Haha Yeah I gathered that.
I dont drive my truck very often though. Its more my relaxing weekend driver. For daily commutes, I have always had a little car. Compared to my cars steering, the truck steering seems like I'm playing catch up from it wandering rather than actually driving.
For what it costs, might be worth giving it a chance? As you said, it shouldn't be too hard to put it back to where I found it if the steering changes that much.
I dont drive my truck very often though. Its more my relaxing weekend driver. For daily commutes, I have always had a little car. Compared to my cars steering, the truck steering seems like I'm playing catch up from it wandering rather than actually driving.
For what it costs, might be worth giving it a chance? As you said, it shouldn't be too hard to put it back to where I found it if the steering changes that much.
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Yes, it is a cheap try. But, be careful as I've read it is possible to break the steering box if you go too far. It puts everything in a bind if you do. Dunno how far you'd have to go, but I've gone 1/4 turn and really didn't like it. Stay with 1/8th turn or less.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
I played with mine for quite a while. Never liked the way it drove no matter how it were adjusted, and at the end the steering box was getting real weird so I put a redhead unit in it and forgot about it.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 26
From: Algona,WA
Drives good. The entire front end of my truck has been rebuilt. new I-Beam bushings, new tie rods, both inner and outer. new radius arm bushings. I also replaced the rag joint in the steering shaft. The box has absolutely zero play in it, and neither does the rest of the steering. But, the steering has a tad amount of free play in it while driving. Just the crudeness of the simplicity I guess. Every time I check the box, the most minute movement from the steering shaft, the pitman arm moves just as much. So, I know it isn't the box. Been driving it for nearing 2 years now pretty much every day problem free.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,935
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
Just know if you drive something new that rack and pinion then jump into something that has a steering box it will feel lose.
Not that you should not look over the truck for something that might be bad.
Dave - - -
Not that you should not look over the truck for something that might be bad.
Dave - - -
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
Yep, rack and pinion has a better "feel". Big Blue has an all-new front end, including steering box, ball joints, tie rods, shocks, springs, poly bushings, and even tires and wheels. And it still doesn't have the tight "feel" of any of our later vehicles, including the 2001 Subaru with 150k miles on it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 5
From: Northeast Ohio USA
Welcome to FTE...
I ended up adjusting the linkage components, replacing the rag joint, and eventually replacing the steering gear (figured I went this far) then had it aligned by a reputable shop familiar with older trucks. As mentioned, it not does feel as tight as newer trucks do, but it never will. The front end takes a lot of abuse and rarely is it just "one thing" that solves the problem. I would like to re-enforce the other's concerns about adjusting the steering gear. Unless you are familiar with the process, I would avoid it as it can actually be dangerous causing the gear to bind/lock up while driving.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 27
From: NJ
You need to adjust the preload on the box using an inch pounds torque wrench. It can be done by removing the pitman arm and measuring from the steering wheel but is best done with the steering shaft disconnected from the box and working directly on the box input shaft. I forget spec but it's something like 6 inch pounds, I can check my manual later. Don't just tighten until it feels better as you can easily over tighten and cause damage.
If the sector shaft is flopping around side to side and up and down then you're probably safe to do a quick and dirty to just barely take the slop out of it using the sector shaft preload adjustment screw but no further without measuring and do so at your own risk.
Before messing with the box, confirm there is actually any slop in the box. It's far more likely tie rods, wheel bearings, bushings or ball joints (if you have IFS), rag joint, steering column bearings, and so forth are the culprits.
If the sector shaft is flopping around side to side and up and down then you're probably safe to do a quick and dirty to just barely take the slop out of it using the sector shaft preload adjustment screw but no further without measuring and do so at your own risk.
Before messing with the box, confirm there is actually any slop in the box. It's far more likely tie rods, wheel bearings, bushings or ball joints (if you have IFS), rag joint, steering column bearings, and so forth are the culprits.