Well, prolly won't be so weird to you guys but it doesnt make a ton of sense to me.

So my steering wheel can turn a bit each way before the tires start turn. I look into the engine bay while in turn the wheel, and my steering shaft turns too...so its not just my wheel. On or off I can turn my steering wheel and steering shaft a couple inches each way without any tire movement.

At a certain point the gearbox engages and everything works fine. Just kinda irritating that my steering is loose.

What causes loose steering like that? Is it the stering gear box being out of adjustment?

So I did some searching on here...I checked the front end, which is stock aside from some oversize tires the previous owner put on, and everything is tight and good.

The steering shaft and its joint seem good and they all seem tight and they all move together.

The issue seems to be in the steering gearbox.

Any thoughts?

 

Get under there and check the rest of the parts involved. Its 40 years old.

 

What other parts would there be? The tie rod ends and drag links are good...my only steering slop comes from the wheel and shaft being loose in the gear box.

What causes that? Bad worm gear? Is this kinda slop common with these trucks?

Its doesn't really have any steering issues aside from the shaft being able to move a bit inside of the gear box. Would adjusting the gear box tighten that up? I've read that adjusting the gear box can cause some issues itself.

 

Lay under the truck and have a helper rock the steering wheel back and forth. Since it has big tires, I'd almost bet the track bar bushings are loose (if it's a coil spring truck), although it could be the steering box itself or tie rod ends.

 

The steering boxes in most any old vehicle, especially trucks, jeeps, other 4x4s, etc... will wear out. As far as adjusting, most can have the worm gear adjusted, but it's not something I really recommend to people, as it can make matters worse. I personally opt at the point of major slop at replacing the box, if all other components are in 100% working order. (Track-bar, Tie Rods, Ball Joints)

 

The rag joint might be something to look at

 

You can easily adjust the steering gear box, but first make sure there are not other front end issues... like a worn out ball joint at the drag link. There is nothing weird about this problem, it's just not a car with rack and pinion- there will always be some play. I think the threshold for adjustment is 1.5 inches of play. If all other things check out, just adjust the work gear a little, that is what that adjustment is for.

 

The sloppy steering is a given if original equipment....its old, its tired.... every thing from the u joints on the shaft, to the box, to the linkage ...etc... A full rebuild is pricey, but dam worth it... you can start with the shaft and box and you will see a huge improvement.... I rebuilt my whole system with bluetop steering and borgeson shaft... like a new truck now...

 

it ain't weird, its worn out...X2 on check what all everyone else said, then when it all checks out ok, replace the worn out steering box. I bet that is the issue.

What alot of FTE members use. Red Head https://www.redheadsteeringgears.com/

What is the # 2 company to use here lately per alot of discussion.
Blue Top Blue-Top Steering Gears, Inc.