Steering Slop...

[Strongbad]

I had a leaking power steering hose, so while I was getting some other work done, I had it replaced. When I got the truck back, I was shocked to find a ton of slop in the steering wheel. Even when stopped, and the engine off, I can turn the steering wheel a good 3 or 4 inches in each direction. Needless to say, it made for quite an "interesting" drive home.

Could air in the PS system cause this much play?

I saw a receipt in the glove box for a '78 Steering Box, so I am assuming it has had the '78 PS swap. Could the steering box be worn out?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Racer Z]

Steering gear boxes do indeed wear out. Rebuilt gear boxes are in the $200-300 depending. You still have the labor to deal with. Gear boxes usually last the life of the vehicle, but not always.

There is an adjustment for the gearbox itself. Usually on the top center is a screw with pinch bolt. Be careful how much you tighten it. The gears wear the most in the near straight ahead position. If you remove all the play, it will become over tight as you turn. The sharper you turn, the tighter the gear lash will become. It could break itself.

There are other parts in the steering that will cause play and you must examine them all before pointing the finger at the most expensive part.

Wheel bearings.
Tie rod ends.
Bearings in the steering column.
The fabric steering coupler.
King pins.
Radius arm bushings.
Did I miss anything?
The bolts that hold the gearbox to the frame.
On rare occasions, a cracked frame.

If each of these parts is worn, the total combination will be excessive.

The bearings in the steering column are a pain to check and replace. I had to replace mine recently. "What bearings?" was the operative phrase. After replacing the bearings, almost all of my play went away. I too had been thinking I needed a gear box.

[fordman]

this sounds strange that it happened only after it was in the shop. maybe they damaged something. did they replace the steering box or was that already done?

[The Good Humor Man]

Steering gear boxes do indeed wear out. Rebuilt gear boxes are in the $200-300 depending. You still have the labor to deal with. Gear boxes usually last the life of the vehicle, but not always.

There is an adjustment for the gearbox itself. Usually on the top center is a screw with pinch bolt. Be careful how much you tighten it. The gears wear the most in the near straight ahead position. If you remove all the play, it will become over tight as you turn. The sharper you turn, the tighter the gear lash will become. It could break itself.

There are other parts in the steering that will cause play and you must examine them all before pointing the finger at the most expensive part.

Wheel bearings.
Tie rod ends.
Bearings in the steering column.
The fabric steering coupler.
King pins.
Radius arm bushings.
Did I miss anything?
The bolts that hold the gearbox to the frame.
On rare occasions, a cracked frame.

If each of these parts is worn, the total combination will be excessive.

The bearings in the steering column are a pain to check and replace. I had to replace mine recently. "What bearings?" was the operative phrase. After replacing the bearings, almost all of my play went away. I too had been thinking I needed a gear box.

I think I had to replace about everything on that list, + a rag joint on my 69 that I am restoring. The steering was total slop.

[Racer Z]

The "rag joint" is what I called a "fabric steering coupler". I think "rag joint" might the more official term. Not really sure.

[knightfire83]

If you have the hydraulic ram type of power steering, air in the lines will cause your problems at the control valve.

If you have the newer power steering system that is all incorporated into the steering box, this problem is strange indeed.