All over the place

[blakONblaknoma]

every time i drive my truck, i have to chase it all over the road because the steering wheel (from centered) has about 2 inches of play to the left and the right..... What the hell is this???

[PSYKO_Inc]

Could be any number of things. Idler arm, center link, tie rod ends, steering box, rag joint, etc. Get under there and check all the components for play.

[blakONblaknoma]

it has new (by new i mean less than 4 months) upper and lower ball joints both sides inner and outer tie rods center link and idler arm!!

[kamesama980]

well you better take it back and have them take a look at it if there's still a problem.

[jtrjason]

Quote: Originally Posted by blakONblaknoma

it has new (by new i mean less than 4 months) upper and lower ball joints both sides inner and outer tie rods center link and idler arm!!

Do you have power steering or manual? Mine is manual and replacing the gear box cleared all my play right up. if you pitman arm has been on the box long you may want to get a new one, i had to take it to a family friend who had a huge press to get it off.

[blakONblaknoma]

its power steering, and is there anything before the steering box that might be the problem? some thing in the steering wheel, or shaft or something like that??

[jtrjason]

Quote: Originally Posted by blakONblaknoma

its power steering, and is there anything before the steering box that might be the problem? some thing in the steering wheel, or shaft or something like that??

Just grab the shaft right before it attaches to the gear box and turn it, if it turns, and if it turns the steering wheel then it's probably the steering gear. but you may want to check you p/s fluid levels, if it's low then their might be play.

[kamesama980]

get off the computer, go outside, jack the front of the truck up, and start grabbing things and shaking them rather than asking us what's wrong when we don't have access to your truck. should find the culprit in under 5 minutes.

[TokoDragon]

if you just replaced a lot of componets up there it could be a defective part or installed wrong, or something came loose. My mom's van had some play in the steering wheel, not to bad, the tie rods had some play so we changed them and it tracks great now.

[bagg_n_draggit]

if the steering gearbox is worn out, you can try to adjust it. there is a t35 torx head with a 16mm jam nut. on the top of the box. center the tires or steering wheel and turn the clockwise about 1/4 turn at a time and keep test driving it. what it does is bring the worm gear in closer and takes some of the slack out of the box.

[PSYKO_Inc]

Also check the rag joint at the steering box and tulip joint at the firewall for excessive play. I'd be almost willing to bet your rag joint may be torn.

[dimerunner88]

Quote: Originally Posted by bagg_n_draggit

if the steering gearbox is worn out, you can try to adjust it. there is a t35 torx head with a 16mm jam nut. on the top of the box. center the tires or steering wheel and turn the clockwise about 1/4 turn at a time and keep test driving it. what it does is bring the worm gear in closer and takes some of the slack out of the box.

doing that also cause it to wear out faster,its set from the factory. if the box is the problem, replace it. at the least go to the junk yard and get one, maybe even a zq8 box

[S15vortecpwr]

that adjusment works great if you are in a bind and do not have the money to buy a new/used box. I tightened my box up on my 78 camaro and it is still great. I just tightened it up about 1/8 of a turn.

I would guess you have a bad rag joint or shaft.