steering box / loose steering
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 188
Likes: 8
steering box / loose steering
hey guys, I had some "slop" in the steering wheel, so today I adjusted the nut/screw on the steering box. I had to adjust it 1 & 3/4 . Wanted to know if that was too much ? Steering is still not the best but I would say 50-70% better. Soon I will also check the alignment.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
1.75 turns 
me thinks you will be buying a new gear soon enough, in the mean time I would bet money the play is now coming from the rod ends, loose pitman arm and even the track bar bushings
me thinks you will be buying a new gear soon enough, in the mean time I would bet money the play is now coming from the rod ends, loose pitman arm and even the track bar bushings
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 188
Likes: 8
first turn was not quite 3/4, then 1/2 and 1/2, so it's more like 1.5-1.75 ...I did some full U-turns and truck steering seemed fine, did not lock up. steering wheel feels firmer for sure. so what major components would make it feel like it's "floating" ?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
TRE’s, draglink assembly (where TRE & DLA meet) and draglink socket assembly (where connects to pitman arm) I would also check your ball joints. Once those are dealt with you can add a stab to take up any slack but AFTER those consumables are fixed.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Waay to much on the steering nut screw... take it back to where you started. 1/8 of a turn at a time. With as far as you went.... the steering is not 'better'.... you are just binding up the gear. Look elsewhere for the 'slop'.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,910
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From: Hat Creek Ca
I agree with Les. There is a "crush washer" associated with that adjusting nut that is REALLY easy to crush. Once done the box is essentially done as well. I guess that I bought my Redhead before they started having (reported) problems because mine is fine. I hear that there are a couple of "new(er) kids" on the block so you might give them a look as well.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 188
Likes: 8
ok my buddy/diesel mechanic drove it ....he says I'm used to my 2015 F150 "tight" steering LOL. He said there is a little play but not too bad, with a little bump steer. He said the best thing to do is add a dual steering stabilizer.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Steering dampener does not fix or mask bump steer
bump steer is caused by the drag link and the track bar not being on the same angle and when the suspension cycles they each move in a diffrent arc and forces the drag link to physically turn the wheels to match the diffrence in dinstace traveled.
The only way to solve that is to get the arc to match by using a dropped pitman arm and or a dropped track bar bracket.
bump steer is caused by the drag link and the track bar not being on the same angle and when the suspension cycles they each move in a diffrent arc and forces the drag link to physically turn the wheels to match the diffrence in dinstace traveled.
The only way to solve that is to get the arc to match by using a dropped pitman arm and or a dropped track bar bracket.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 145
From: San Diego, CA
What pirate4x4_camo said. I would find the loose steering components first.
If your avatar is your truck your tires look pretty close to stock size. I wouldn't consider adding another stabilizer IMO.
If your avatar is your truck your tires look pretty close to stock size. I wouldn't consider adding another stabilizer IMO.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 34
From: Los Angeles, Ca.
Bump steer shouldn't be happening if the pitman arm or track bar haven't been modified, usually done to compensate for a lift. If it has bump steer with stock components something's loose/worn.
Over tightening the box adjustment can damage it. It can also cause excessive drag which can make the vehicle not self-center well and feel like it's wandering/floating. I've had two wanderers and in both cases someone had messed with the screw. Loosening it a little helped a little, but once they've been overtightened I think there's damage done that can't be fixed without a teardown. The adjustments are pretty critical.
Over tightening the box adjustment can damage it. It can also cause excessive drag which can make the vehicle not self-center well and feel like it's wandering/floating. I've had two wanderers and in both cases someone had messed with the screw. Loosening it a little helped a little, but once they've been overtightened I think there's damage done that can't be fixed without a teardown. The adjustments are pretty critical.
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