Extremely loose steering

[Isaac nickerson]

Hey guys, I have a 77 k10 with a stock remanufactured Saginaw steering pump and gearbox. My truck is sitting on 35s and I have absolutely terrible steering response. I can go about back and forth with the steering wheel about 3 inches to either side and I'll still stay centered in the lane. I got an alignment a month ago and that seemed to help a little but since then I've gone wheeling and it's only gotten worse. I've looked at all the parts and nothing is broken. I was wondering about suggestions for a good place to start looking. I have not really touched any of the steering components since I have had the truck and I suspect no one has in quite some time.

 

[Originalthor]

One of my drag links was pretty worn that caused a sloppy steering. Easy way to check with truck running and if your by yourself is just grab the steering shaft through the wheel well and move it back and forth and look for play.

Also check your stabilizer shock.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Hey guys, I have a 77 k10 with a stock remanufactured Saginaw steering pump and gearbox. My truck is sitting on 35s and I have absolutely terrible steering response. I can go about back and forth with the steering wheel about 3 inches to either side and I'll still stay centered in the lane. I got an alignment a month ago and that seemed to help a little but since then I've gone wheeling and it's only gotten worse. I've looked at all the parts and nothing is broken. I was wondering about suggestions for a good place to start looking. I have not really touched any of the steering components since I have had the truck and I suspect no one has in quite some time.

is your pump OE? What kind of pump you got. you should almost pull your pump to 1) look at the fluid 2) check out your pressure valve/port thing. See if its scored in there and causing it to give assist when not needing it, making it easily overshoot . esp if its not a fixed ratio box

 

[Shorty81]

Make sure you have the correct steering arm for whatever lift you have. Also remanufactured steering boxes have a bad reputation.

 

[Redfish]

If you turn the key "on" to unlock the steering wheel and have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you crawl around under the truck you will probably find several places that have some play. ANY play that you can see will have an affect on steering slack. If you can see movement in a steering joint you will definitely feel it while driving.

The tires will have some effect also, you mentioned 35s. That's a lot of rubber flex. If they are mud grips and have deep tread that will affect "slack". You may even have a bad tire or tires.

Even the spring bushings can affect your steering slack. My truck was especially bad with "bump steer", any bump would send it veering off unpredictably. New, softer springs helped that as well as new bushings.

There is evidence of movement in this pic:

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[fast 99]

If the steering wheel has that much play something is worn. Need to turn the steering back and forth [on the ground] while watching for loose parts from the steering box down. As a previous poster said boxes can cause issues. Look very closely at the pitman shaft where it comes out of the box. There will be slight movement but if it moves excessively start there. Check the rag joint. Good luck finding a decent replacement.

Jack up the front, bar the tires up and down checking for vertical play. Then push the top of the tire in and out, should be little to no movement in either direction. A steering shock can cause issues, but it won't cause steering wheel free play. Leaf spring bushings aren't regularly an issue, but these trucks are getting quite old and those could be suspect as well.

When I do alignments, we ALWAYS shake down front ends before any work is done. Apparently, the shop you took it to didn't do that. Ask for a refund.

 

[waynew]

Check your frame for cracks where the steering box mounts. Large diameter tires increase the stress in that area leading to cracks that can allow movement.

 

[dvdswan]

Check your frame at the steering gear. If there are no cracks look at each moving part of the steering linkage. Even a little at each part adds up.


Edit: @waynew you beat me too it. lol

 

[85K304SPD]

The steering arm on the steering gear box was loose on the GMC when I got it. I couldnt see it until I took the tire off and moved the steering wheel while I could see. I tightened it up with an impact and its all good now.

 

[burniasnathan]

Hey guys, I have a 77 k10 with a stock remanufactured Saginaw steering pump and gearbox. My truck is sitting on 35s and I have absolutely terrible steering response. I can go about back and forth with the steering wheel about 3 inches to either side and I'll still stay centered in the lane. I got an alignment a month ago and that seemed to help a little but since then I've gone wheeling and it's only gotten worse. I've looked at all the parts and nothing is broken. I was wondering about suggestions for a good place to start looking. I have not really touched any of the steering components since I have had the truck and I suspect no one has in quite some time.

So I had this same problem with my '78 Chevy as far as steering goes, wear your steer box is hooked up to your frame check that area and make sure your frame isn't ripped open, believe it or not it's very easy to miss. Once I had my frame welded back up everything went back to normal. That's a good starting point Make sure your frame isn't ripped open like I said it's easily missed which throws your gearbox off and will literally throw everything off whack

 

[Isaac nickerson]

I appreciate all the helpful replies everyone. I replaced the pump and the box about a year ago so I doubt it is that @AuroraGirl. As far as the spring bushings go I replaced those with the RC lift kit I put on last December. I will check the steering box at the frame, check for play in the joints, check the pitman arm, and report back once I get a opportunity to work on it. Also question @fast 99. What do you mean by movement of the pitman shaft? Movement of the shaft in the box? Or movement of the shaft in the pitman arm? Thanks.

 

[Bextreme04]

Double check the torque on your spring U-bolts. Often when people put a lift kit on, they won't loctite the nuts or torque them down enough and they will come loose and cause what you are describing.

 

[Isaac nickerson]

Sweet thanks, I'll check that too.

 

[WebMonkey]

i 'tightened' the adjuster on my steering box to remove the 'steering wheel left to right slop' action.

a year later it's still good.

good luck.

'monkey

 

[fast 99]

Sideways movement of the shaft in the box when loaded. From what I have seen many rebuilt boxes are loose there. Because of the poor quality rebuilds we don't replace them unless absolutely necessary.

Yes, check the adjustment on top of the box. Engine running wheels straight ahead, turn the steering shaft slightly back and forth, if no movement of the pitman arm try tightening the bolt a 1/8 turn at a time. Loosen the jam nut first. It can be tightened too much take it slow.

Also, movement [looseness] of any steering linkage will add to the steering wheel freeplay.