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Me: And what are you doing with the steering link?

882 views 18 replies 7 participants last post by  AJMBLAZER 
#1 ·
Repair Guy: I'm going to replace it.

Me: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Uhm, what do you mean, "you're going to replace it?". You do know that it is not the stock steering link on the truck, right? It is a part of the lift kit. And.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/codger.gif

Repair Guy: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

....................................................................

So that was part of the conversation I had with the repair guy a couple days ago as they finished up checking out the truck . I took it in to see what it would cost to get the play in the steering repaired. I expected the pitman arm to be part of the problem, but all the needed to do was an inner tie rod. Which is fine, hundreds less than I expected to pay. They did recommend a new steering box, lower ball joints and a steering stabilizer though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

So, the truck drives great after the tie rod replacement and alignment. There is still play, but I surely aint going to pay $280 for a steering box and ball joint labor, then another whatever to end up with a near $700 bill.

I'm considering a steering stabilizer though. I would need to install the brackets and all as my truck didn't come with a stock stabilizer.

What do you guys recommend? I'm thinking of just not even adding a stabilizer.

I love telling the shops how to work on my truck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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#2 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

You can replace all that stuff yourself anyway, right? Did you get an alignment with bad ball joints? If there is any play in them it wouldn't be alignable (or should I say done right). A steering stabilizer is a good investment. It's harder to turn with one, but it makes steering parts last longer because there is less stress on them. I have way too big tires for 1/2 ton steering, but the stabilizer helps a lot.
 
#4 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

MSF, they did align it after they put the new tie rod on. I have the alignment readout with the specs on it, apparently they did it. I'm not sure how bad my ball joints are anyway. We replaced them, MOOG of course, when we installed the lift kit. I can post the #s if you're curious thugh. I know I don't fully understand how to read them....just never looked at them /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Up here in WA, I don't have all the tools to work on my truck, so, I'm deferring more truck work to the shops. Of course, I nit-pick them, they're working on it, but hey, it's still my truck and I know more about it than they do.

Jason, I also inquired about adjusting the steering box with the nut, but the guy said the problem with that was that "it causes the steering to bind". ??? hmmm??? I'm sure he just wanted me to plant another $700 into their shop. I'd try to tighten it up with the nut first though. I'm sure if you got overambitious about turning the nut you'd run into problems.
 
#5 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

It's possible to align a vehicle with loose ball joints, but any time you hit a bump, or if the ball joints wear out any further, your alignment will be off again. You might want to check out just how loose they are, if they're too loose they could actually pop out (I've seen it, it's not pretty).
 
#6 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

[ QUOTE ]
Jason, I also inquired about adjusting the steering box with the nut, but the guy said the problem with that was that "it causes the steering to bind". ??? hmmm???

[/ QUOTE ]

He is exactly right IF you get crazy and overtighten.....HOWEVER.....you can take some of the play out without causing binding or over tightening of the gear box. Just do it carefully and sparingly.

It is a fine line between getting some play out and overdoing it and causing increased wear or even failure of your gearbox.
 
#7 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

The LBJs can pop out??? That's crazy! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Do they pop the nut off the end?

Cosmo, that's what I was thinking about the adjuster nut. As long as the adjustment was in moderation, it would be ok. Is there anything specific I need to do before adjusting the nut? Like making sure the wheels and steering wheel are both straight?..etc?
 
#8 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

If they're worn out enough, the ball can actually pop out of the joint. I had a friend with an S10 that it happened to. The bottom of the tire swung out and the truck fell on the frame. It was a good think she was going slow, no injuries.
 
#9 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

In my limited experience with tinkering with Saginaw steering gears the little adjustment on top is a sort of "preload" which only hides the slop in the box. I could be wrong though.
 
#10 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

Shorts....I never did anything special before adjusting a gearbox....other than common sense stuff, like not having the wheels turned at full lock or something. Last time I did it I tightened it a little and then moved steering from one side (while front was off the ground) to the other to feel for binding....if not I tweeked a little more...I never went as far as the point where it did bind though (I figure being conservative is the way to go here considering the potential danger/cost for screwing the gearbox up)....It helped a little but don't expect miracles.

Like stated above....you are only reducing a little play within the gearbox....doesn't do you a bit of good if other parts are worn.
 
#11 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

i could see ball joints shearing off.

if ran them with so much slop that they clunk around and probly had an inch of sloppy play. hitn a rock or something just right might sear it in two.

Monica

ive never messed with the steerring box. never seen it as the steering slop problem. i always saw on my truck the sloppy steering shaft and all steering components not related to the steering box.

Evan
 
#12 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

See, I don't think there's much play in those ball joints. The repair shop is in business to make money, so of course they'll "recommend" for everything that 'could' need replacing. The LBJs are MOOG parts, which, yes, the better stuff does wear out too, but I don't think they're as bad off I'm lead to believe.

I need to check them on my own to see what movement is there. I just don't have a floor jack to make life easier /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I do have my stock chevy jack (PITA last resort jack) and a hydraulic bottle jack.....did I mention I sure do miss having a floor jack /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I'm certainly not expecting miracles. I've always driven a truck with play in the steering wheel. That's just what trucks do! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Gosh, I need to get off my butt and work on my truck. My new steps are sitting in the back seat, waiting to be installed (I finally got the right sized drill bit). And my oil is sitting in the garage (I need to get a filter. No one in this dang town stocks AC Delco...retards).

It seems I've lost all motivation. All I do these days is play with guns /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
#14 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

[ QUOTE ]
Gosh, I need to get off my butt and work on my truck.

All I do these days is play with guns /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Monica.....will you marry me??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/neener.gif

PS- Don't tell my wife I asked you that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/censor.gif
 
#15 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

[ QUOTE ]
Gosh, I need to get off my butt and work on my truck...
It seems I've lost all motivation. All I do these days is play with guns /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
And what are you going to do when your truck stops working, shoot it!? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/codger.gif
 
#17 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

[ QUOTE ]
Gosh, I need to get off my butt and work on my truck. My new steps are sitting in the back seat, waiting to be installed (I finally got the right sized drill bit). And my oil is sitting in the garage (I need to get a filter. No one in this dang town stocks AC Delco...retards).

It seems I've lost all motivation. All I do these days is play with guns /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Lazy ass... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
#18 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif How's life up in yonderville?

Speaking of lazy, I think I'm going to doodle around and try my hand at some gunsmithin (now that I got those steps on, I have LOTS of time on my hands /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif). I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and build a 1911, so I'm researching all the parts. Hopefully I 'll have a couple books on the way too. Kuhnhausen's Colt .45 books are said to be good. I think I'm tossing the idea of picking up a vid or two or AGI's 1911 series. Certainly this isn't can-I-get-a-1911-cheaper venture, cause it isn't. I'll be bored around here, this will keep me entertained.
 
#19 ·
Re: Me: And what are you doing with the steering l

Eh, school's done for the summer and the hitchin' is a little over a month away. Glad school's done and can't wait for the drama to end....I mean get married.
The house has a million things to do and the Ranger is never finished and my plans keep expanding.....did I mention I have a line on some 33" General MT's? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've also started modding the new Grand Vitara....oops...now she wants a lift... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If you want a good 1911 to use as a test mule lemme know, I can get you in touch with the guy that got me my Rock Island. Great gun and several members on that 1911 forum I (in)frequent have done similar stuff. Start with a plain jane GI model and build from there.

Oh yeah, where's Timbo The Flying Squid off to this time? He still doing the JAG stuff?
 
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