to much play.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Is your PS done with a cylinder between the axle and the tie rod? This type is power assisted steering and was an added accessory. The problem with this system is the control module on the drag link requires a small amount of play at straight ahead or you would go down the road like a drunken sailor as it would be constantly steering in one direction or the other. Any additional freeplay in the original steering box (unless recently rebuilt they all develop a lot of freeplay due to the very rudimentary design that was used required regular maintainance and adjustment they seldom received) is amplified by the power assist unit. The power assist is a linear assist rather than proportional which makes the steering extra touchy and sloppy feeling around neutral.
If this accurately describes your truck, you can try adjusting the box to reduce freeplay (seldom really fixes it) rebuild or replace the OEM steering box and column (which will still be numb and twitchy around neutral, just less so) or do a Toyota power steering box conversion. That's the route I chose for mine when i had the same issue and highly recommend it.
If this accurately describes your truck, you can try adjusting the box to reduce freeplay (seldom really fixes it) rebuild or replace the OEM steering box and column (which will still be numb and twitchy around neutral, just less so) or do a Toyota power steering box conversion. That's the route I chose for mine when i had the same issue and highly recommend it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Originally Posted by AXracer
If this accurately describes your truck, you can try adjusting the box to reduce freeplay (seldom really fixes it) rebuild or replace the OEM steering box and column (which will still be numb and twitchy around neutral, just less so)....
Tightening the screw on the typical worm and sector does very little good and usually just creates new wear. The play is between the worm and sector, it's due to wear, and nothing but replacement will fix it. When was the last time anyone checked the fluid level in their box??? Yea.... That's why they're worn out!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
We decided the power assist had to go driving it home from NM. Was relatively tollerable on the flat straight parts of the interstates Traveling over the smokies tho the truck would decide to swap lanes if a semi went past or the road crown changed.
The fact it was in the dark and the stock headlights weren't much brighter than candles and my wife was starting to turn green, especially when it would suddenly dart towards the guardrail on the downhill side of the mountain.
The fact it was in the dark and the stock headlights weren't much brighter than candles and my wife was starting to turn green, especially when it would suddenly dart towards the guardrail on the downhill side of the mountain.
