Chasing Rabbits
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Fort Valley,GA
Chasing Rabbits
I have a small wondering problem with the front end. I have checked every way i can for anything loose and all seems tight until i drive it . Is there anything maybe that is not obvious or am i overlooking the obvious.
thanks guys,
michael
thanks guys,
michael
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Buckingham, IA
Take it to a reputable alignment shop. My son's '99 had been aligned but still had a slight wander. I took it to the front end guy at the dealership, (he's the best I know of around here). He said that it was within specs but he could make it better. I said "do it". Couldn't believe how much better it drove. No wander and holds a straight line for ever. Sure it cost a little, but it was worth it.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
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From: Grand Lake, La.
Michael, what does your tires look like? Most of the time you can't just jerk on things to see if they are loose. You might jack the front up then see if you can move things under there, like wheel play.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: 21791
There is an adjustment on the top of the steering box, it sticks out of the top, and has a jamb nut on it. Loosen the nut, tighten the stuf 1/8 turn at a time and see if it improves, keep doing until you get it close.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Huntsville, TX.
Originally Posted by strokin_it7.3
There is an adjustment on the top of the steering box, it sticks out of the top, and has a jamb nut on it. Loosen the nut, tighten the stuf 1/8 turn at a time and see if it improves, keep doing until you get it close.
I ask because I used to have an old Volkswagen. The steering wheel play could be minimized by doing the same thing on the old VW, but the box would bind if you ran the adjuster in too much.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Lakewood, Ca.
I'd check all the other stuff and get the alignment taken care of before fooling with the steering box.If you get the improper preload on the steering gear you can thrash it in no time. My thought is the toe-in may be off.
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Not a liberal...
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Cut & Shoot, Texas
I tightened the steering box on mine and ended up with a truck that wandered all over but had a tight steering wheel. It sucked. I don't reccomend that.
Turns out I had bad ball joints and a loose Pitman arm. I had those parts replaced and the truck aligned. The only thing they wouldn't do is adjust the steering box back to the factory spec. I had to do that on my own. Truck drives easy with one hand now. Not so before, it was a white knuckler.
Turns out I had bad ball joints and a loose Pitman arm. I had those parts replaced and the truck aligned. The only thing they wouldn't do is adjust the steering box back to the factory spec. I had to do that on my own. Truck drives easy with one hand now. Not so before, it was a white knuckler.
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Fleet Owner
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
You can adjust the steering box, but the front wheels must be off the ground and the engine switched off.
Really the best way to do it is to disconnect the drag link so that there is no load on the pitman arm. You have to make sure that the gears are not jammed together.
You have to turn the steering back and forth with each adjustment until you can feel that there is no free play on the steering wheel and no binding of the gear.
Really the best way to do it is to disconnect the drag link so that there is no load on the pitman arm. You have to make sure that the gears are not jammed together.
You have to turn the steering back and forth with each adjustment until you can feel that there is no free play on the steering wheel and no binding of the gear.
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From: Fort Valley,GA
I have thought about the steering box but have lots of fears with it.My tires are basically new, had front end aligned 8 mons. ago. have checked free play in steering wheel on and off ground no play. Have had people move steering wheel while under there looking on and off the ground no play. I figure it must something that is only loose under the load of driving it. It is worse if the truck is unloaded.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: San Diego, CA
If the alignment isn't off and the steering box adjustment doesn't help, you're probably looking at a pitman arm and/or tie rod end(s). My truck has a noticeable dead spot (worn pitman arm) and on a windy day its a two handed job. One thing you can do is get an aftermarket steering damper if you haven't already. I hear it does wonders for wander.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Holden,La.
I have had tires that would cause it wonder also. Never was so glad to wear out a set of tires in my life. Also check the air pressure sometimes that can cause it also.
Good luck finding the problem
Floyd
Good luck finding the problem
Floyd
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From: Ridgecrest, CA
When my truck was wandering, I tried to find where the bad part was. I almost replaced the joint at the pitman arm (thankfully the parts place didn't have it) cause it looked the most suspect problem. Since I wasn't able to get the part, I looked into adjusting the steering box. It made a huge difference. <TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"> I loosened the nut a couple of turns, then turned the allen screw down till I felt it bottom out. I did this several times to ensure I removed the play w/o putting much preload on it. I then jacked up the front end and turned the steering wheel lock to lock (key ON, engine OFF) to ensure there were no tight spots in the steering box. The original instructions call for an inch-pound torque wrench spec on the steering wheel nut while turning it, so there is a little leaway for the preload on the steering box (but I just tried to take the slack out of it). I also don't have a steering stabilizer on my truck and it still steers with good response.
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