help with steering
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 103
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From: SE MN
help with steering
I dont have pics and dont know what it is called so i will do my best to describe it. My truck has been klunking when i hit bumps and have alot of slop in my steering wheel but know that is a common trend with are trucks. Now tonight i decided to rotate my tires and noticed that the bar that connects to the steering box has about a half an inch of play. It is about 6 in then threds into the long bar that angles down, it looks like it is ready to fall out. Now is this something i can fix myself or is this have to go to a shop? Im not sure if this is gona require a alignment? the tierods look good and tight. Thanks for any help.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 684
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I dont have pics and dont know what it is called so i will do my best to describe it. My truck has been klunking when i hit bumps and have alot of slop in my steering wheel but know that is a common trend with are trucks. Now tonight i decided to rotate my tires and noticed that the bar that connects to the steering box has about a half an inch of play. It is about 6 in then threds into the long bar that angles down, it looks like it is ready to fall out. Now is this something i can fix myself or is this have to go to a shop? Im not sure if this is gona require a alignment? the tierods look good and tight. Thanks for any help.
Does the tierod end ,to the pitman arm feel tight also?
It sounds like your pitman....because you said the tierods are all tight.
If it is there shouldn't be any slop,it should be tight.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,667
Likes: 1
From: Glen Rose,Texas
The ''clunk'' is most commonly the drop down bushings or sway bar bushings going out.
Energy Suspension Parts Dealer, Specializing in Energy Suspension Bushings Suspension Components.
You can tighten the steerring box and take some play out for a start.There is a nut and a allen head bolt on top of the s.box.Loosen the nut while holding the bolt.Have a partner move the sterring wheel back and forth as you move the allen bolt clockwise until the play is better.Lock the nut back down.When you test drive afterwards,make sure the sterring wheel will come back on it's own when you are finishing a right/left hand turn.
Energy Suspension Parts Dealer, Specializing in Energy Suspension Bushings Suspension Components.
You can tighten the steerring box and take some play out for a start.There is a nut and a allen head bolt on top of the s.box.Loosen the nut while holding the bolt.Have a partner move the sterring wheel back and forth as you move the allen bolt clockwise until the play is better.Lock the nut back down.When you test drive afterwards,make sure the sterring wheel will come back on it's own when you are finishing a right/left hand turn.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Indy
I have the exact same issue with my truck and was told by a friend/ dealer service manager that my steering gearing needed to be replaced. I have been running like this for the last 6 months. He never mentioned that the steering could be tightened up so that's good to know.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 13
From: Glendive, MT
I think he is talking about the drag link (the link from the pitman arm down to tie rod).
Yes that joint can be changed without an alignment. It will take trial and error to get your steering wheel straight again unless you have an alignment shop do it.
Yes that joint can be changed without an alignment. It will take trial and error to get your steering wheel straight again unless you have an alignment shop do it.
